I’m clumsy, it’s because I’m tall, and sometimes getting to that perfect location to take a photograph is a real chore for me. Recently, while in England, a friend made me trek up Twistelton Scar to photograph an area that is simply amazing. Before we started the climb, she loaned me one of her walking sticks, cause I was whining. I whine alot when I’m about to start a long hike. Well, gosh, the walking stick really helped me get up the hill (I would describe it as a mountain, but that’s because I live in Florida). And after our six-hour trek, I returned the walking stick to my friend with my thanks.

When I returned from England to Florida I thought about how useful the walking stick was for me. It helped me get across streams filled with slippery rocks, it helped me climb rocky areas, and it kept me from falling down on icy rocks at the top of the scar. So, I thought, well, I need to buy one to take with me on my next photo travel adventure. Then, I got to looking at my monopod, duh, I usually pack one on a trip. Why not turn the monopod into a walking stick? Course, it is a walking stick as it is and needs no modifications. That is, except for the screw head at the top, the one you mount into your camera or lens. It protrudes out. And it does not have the refined look I wanted. So, I got to thinking about something that I could screw on top of the monopod that would make it look cool. So, I went into my garage and started looking around. I found an old cabinet knob that had the right screw diameter. I just screwed it onto the monopod, and walla, I now have a cool looking walking stick that serves two purposes, one for walking in tough terrain, and one for use with my camera.

Cabinet knobs come in an incredible array of styles and sizes. Some of them have really cool metal designs. Like this one made of pewter and has a raised sea turtle. I like turtles. A trip to a local building supply store might be a good idea. There are so many styles available it is likely that you will have a tough time deciding which one looks best on your monopod. The key is to find a cabinet knob that has the right screw size. Most monopods that screw into a camera or lens directly are 1/4″ in size. Just look around for a cabinet knob that has that diameter and your’re in business.

And now, when I’m in Scotland, I can walk into a pub and not be concerned about what others might think about me using a monopod as a walking stick, cause it really looks cool. And to think, I almost bought an unnecessary walking stick for lots of bucks when I already owned the perfect solution. And, BTW, sometimes when I’m roaming around the swamps of Florida, I run across a rattle snake. The monopod is really handy to move it out of my way.

BTW, stop by Photo Travel Review, an exciting new website that myself and two other photographers have created, and check out our Gear Tab for more suggestions on useful stuff.

Two other photographers have joined me in the creation of a new Internet site devoted to photography and travel.

Photo Travel Review will present articles about photography and travel, list photographic seminars, tours, and workshops, review seminars, review equipment associated with photography and travel, evaluate tour companies, and provide others the opportunity to write articles as guests.

The idea for the Internet website grew out of our frustration about finding one place where one could go to explore opportunities for doing photography and improving our skills. There was no Internet website that gathered this information into one place. So, Photo Travel Review was created.

I hope you take the time to visit the website and provide me with feedback regarding content you would like to see posted there. As well, if you would like to write a photo travel article, let me know, we are looking for articles about remote locations throughout the world.

Scotland promises good light if one is willing to tread upwards across muddy paths filled with rocks and grasses depressed from the steps taken by sheep; it is not an easy tread to find that special place, and then to await in the rain and wind and the hail for the light to bless the land, and perhaps the camera.

But when the light falls upon the frame, magical things happen. Sometimes it is difficult to frame the scene, since just looking is overwhelming, it dominates the soul, and brings joy just from being there, despite the cold wind and the running nose.

Searching for a tissue, I find some relief from the cold wind upon my nose. I am warm though, four layers of clothing finding warmth from within, and the evening is delightful and the light is there if I can only capture it for one splendid second.

And next evening, sitting there on a rock at Elgol on the Isle of Skye, the light dances for me as it always does in this magical land.

Very much the same on a very cold morning along a roadway leading from Broadford to Torrin. Despite my runny nose, I manage to capture light only that Scotland can provide.

Yes, Scotland, land of my ancestors, the perfect place for one who desires to master landscape photography.

And the perfect place too for using my little Canon Powershot G9. I have to admit that the little beast produced some great shots. Yet I still carry around my heavy 1Ds Mark II. But this shot from the G9 ain’t bad.

If interested, take a look at my “New Works” section of my website as I add more photographs from my most recent trip. And, BTW, one of the outcomes of the journey is the birth of a new website that I will introduce soon, one about photography and travel, with detailed reviews of places, seminars, workshops, and travel equipment. Stay tuned.

Bill