Top 5 Photographs of Modern Scotland

Five of Scotland’s top photographers made their own contribution to the G8 Summit.

A specially commissioned book containing images of contemporary life in Scotland was presented to world leaders as they gathered at Gleneagles. And the same striking images welcome visitors arriving at Scottish airports throughout the summer.

We asked the five photographers involved to choose their favourite picture from the book. So, in no particular order, here are their top 5 photographs of modern Scotland…

Robert Pogson

“I was on the ferry on my way back from Arran when I spotted the wind turbines in the sunlight. To appease my son while I took some pictures I let him get his kite out and, of course, that was the shot in the end – my son climbing over the fence to play.

“I love Scotland. I was brought up in Somerset but my parents are from Orkney originally. I have the most fantastic life. I travel all over the planet, the Amazon, China, Australia, and yet I live in rural Perthshire where the quality of life is wonderful. It’s great for me and my family.”

Robert Pogson moved to Scotland in 1985 and spent seven years working as an illustrator before becoming a photographer. He now combines advertising and editorial work for clients as diverse as The Brazilian Tourist Board, BMW and Remy Martin. www.robertpogson.com

Gerry McCann

“Obviously with a big project like this it’s difficult to choose a single image. This was a good project to work on because of the creative freedom in getting such a wide brief. I was asked to look at people enjoying themselves, eating out, going to events.

“One picture that springs to mind was taken at the Glasgow River Festival. The shot of Danish acrobats really communicates what I saw at the event. I think it really conveys the energy of the moment. As a photographer, that means I’ve gone to a scene and done my job.”

Gerry McCann is one of Scotland’s leading photo-journalists. He has covered major political and social events and conflicts, and his thought-provoking images have appeared in leading publications across the world. www.gerrymccann.com

Euan Myles

“I’ve picked this shot from the Lewis Highland Games because it was very spontaneous. It looks staged but actually the little boy just jumped up and started dancing. It’s a traditional image but it has a twist.

“My parents are Scottish but I was born in Nottingham. When I studied in Newcastle I used to come up to Scotland all the time. I moved here because of Scotland itself, the landscape. I absolutely love Scotland. It’s really the most beautiful country in the world.”

Euan Myles is one of Scotland’s top advertising photographers, winning national and international awards for Irn-Bru, Black Bottle and Tennents. www.euanmyles.com

Tina Norris

“This shot of Sylvain Chomet is one of my favourites. He isn’t overly keen on being photographed but he liked the idea of drawing in the dark with torches. It turned into a really good collaboration!

“I moved to Scotland after working in London, where I seemed to spend more and more time in traffic jams. After I worked in Alaska for three months as an expedition photographer I really couldn’t stay in London. I had to move north! I love the islands of Scotland. One of my favourite places is St Kilda where I went to document a sea bird survey. It feels like you’re on the edge of the world. The weather just sweeps over you. The last of the St Kildans left in 1930 and it felt a real privilege to be there.”

Tina Norris works as a freelance documentary photographer. Recent projects include whitefish trawling in the North Sea, working with sculptors on Skye and in Edinburgh, and looking at education in Indonesia for the British Council. www.tinanorris.co.uk 

Paul Dodds

“I moved to Scotland to become Picture Editor of the Scotsman and decided to go freelance in 1998. After years being employed it was a risk, but the employment opportunities in Scotland gave me the confidence.
 
“With this project, I was asked to look at infrastructure, education and new architecture. It’s unusual for a photographer to have such an open brief.

“For the photograph of the wee girl in the classroom, I didn’t want to go to a specialist school. I wanted to show the integration of children with difficulties into ‘normal’ school. I think this picture captures that – a girl with downs syndrome in the classroom alongside other children.”

Paul Dodds began his career as a press photographer and moved to Scotland in 1995. He covers subjects as varied as fashion, food, features, sport and news. He has also illustrated three food books.