Brian Smith 📷

@ibriphoto

Working in education. Photography, Graphic Design, Mac. But, mostly the photography bit just now. [No DMs - UK Safety Bill nonsense] 📷 📷 📷

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Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· 9d

Summer's not the best of times for sunsets here, it sets too far behind the Ochil Hills normally. So I don't generally bother. But, after a day of cloud yesterday, the sky lit up in some lovely colour as I walked the dogs around the village pond. #Photography #Clackmannanshire #Scotland

A local photo for local people. It shows a serene post sunset landscape (9:22pm) over the village pond, reflecting the purple and pink hues of the sun's afterglow. In the background are the gently rolling Ochil Hills, with the distinctive outline of Dumyat framed in oink below a cloud-filled sky. Along the water's edge, there is greenery with grasses and reeds with small waterfowl and swans looking to bed down for the night. A row of white houses is visible across the pond emphasising the urban environment. The overall scene has a peaceful and calm, late summer's evening atmosphere.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· 11d

Been away. Took July off and enjoyed the break from all these unnecessary online distractions. This view is from 34000 feet over The Big Smoke. Apologies if this plants the Eastenders theme tune ear-worm in anyone's head (UK heads that is). #Photography #Summer2026 #ViewFromTheWindow

The photo is an aerial view of London taken from the window seat of a passenger aircraft at 34000ft. The River Thames snakes across the city in its characteristic curves, many bridges, the Thames Flood Barrier on the right and London Eye to the far left of frame, with dense urban development on both banks. Central London is visible with clusters of high-rise buildings, and you can spot the Isle of Dogs, the O2 Arena and Canary Wharf along the prominent bend in the river. Surrounding areas show a patchwork of residential neighbourhoods, parks, and green spaces, which gradually give way to the countryside at the edges of the image.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· 16d

A fine show of #noctilucent clouds in the sky over #Stirling late last night. #Photography

A panoramic photo of noctilucent clouds in the northern sky over Stirling, Scotland. The scene features deep blue twilight fading to orange towards the horizon, with rare, delicately wispy, glowing silver clouds stretched across the sky. In the distance to the right, the Wallace Monument is illuminated atop Abbey Craig, standing prominently against the darkened hillside and forest. Below, open grassy fields and small clusters of trees and buildings lie in shadow. The composition captures the transition from day to night with clear visibility of the iconic Stirling landmark.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jun 7

Taking the windy path thorugh Menstrie Glen in the Ochil Hills, to the abandoned (since the 1960s) farmhouse of 'Jerah' on the newly forested slopes behind the popular walking hill 'Dumyat'. More info in the ALT text. #AbandonedScotland #LandscapePhotography #DronePhotography #Clackmannanshire

The winding track that climbs from the Forth Valley base and up along Menstrie Glen. Heading on a circular route to the old abandoned farmstead, occupied until the 1960s. This photo is from a drone, showing the path looping towards the south face of the Ochil Hills. The River Forth and houses in the villages of Clackmannanshire can be seen faintly in the distance.

The long abandoned farmstead, occupied until the 1960s, features a two-storey farmhouse with fireplaces, a long building with a sheep-dip, and a shed. An aerial drone shot of the crumbling stone buildings in a verdant green landscape, looking east over the Loss Dam reservoir and beyond to the Gargunnock Hills.

The long abandoned farmstead, occupied until the 1960s, features a two-storey farmhouse with fireplaces. Only the outer walls remain, and as shown in this shot looking through a hole in one wall to a rectangular window on the opposite gable end, large gaps have appeared in the structure.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· May 5

Purple pooch. One of our regular dog walk circuits has been taken over by spring and bluebells. Not so much a carpet as a threadbare rug in patches, but a sight to see. #SpringVibes #Bluebell #NaturePhotography #LandscapePhotography #Clackmannanshire

A grid of four aerial photographs taken with a drone, showing a carpet of bluebells in amongst the orange and brown remnants of last year's green foliage.

A grid of four photographs, showing a carpet of bluebells in amongst the orange and brown remnants of last year's green foliage, in and around a local copse of trees.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· May 3

Yellow Jet fuel. Potentially (As the news announce Europe possibly facing shortages by next month). A spectacle of glorious monochromatic colour and nostril stuffing smells that completely transforms the landscape. #RuralLife #Yellow #LandscapePhotography #DronePhotography

Drone shot over rural fields full of oilseed rape. New house building taking place in the distance at top of photograph. Yellow Jet fuel. Fields are filling up with this colourful oilseed rape and, whilst not yet a viable option, is something that potentially could be used as a more sustainable bio-fuel in the aviation industry. Maybe that process will be getting ramped up hearing this morning's news (Europe possibly facing shortages by next month).

Either way, it's a spectacle of glorious monochromatic colour and nostril stuffing smells that completely transforms the landscape.

Drone shot over rural fields full of oilseed rape. Looking east along the Forth Valley, Scotland, with the Ochil Hills to the north framing the lower landscape. Local High School (Lornshill) wrapped in the yellow blanket from the enveloping farmland

Yellow Jet fuel. Fields are filling up with this colourful oilseed rape and, whilst not yet a viable option, is something that potentially could be used as a more sustainable bio-fuel in the aviation industry. Maybe that process will be getting ramped up hearing this morning's news (Europe possibly facing shortages by next month).

Either way, it's a spectacle of glorious monochromatic colour and nostril stuffing smells that completely transforms the landscape.

Drone shot over rural fields full of oilseed rape. The distinctive shape of Dumyat in the Ochil Hills breaks the horizon into building grey clouds, and the iconic Wallace Monument sits on its own small hilltop in the distance on the left of the frame.

Yellow Jet fuel. Fields are filling up with this colourful oilseed rape and, whilst not yet a viable option, is something that potentially could be used as a more sustainable bio-fuel in the aviation industry. Maybe that process will be getting ramped up hearing this morning's news (Europe possibly facing shortages by next month).

Either way, it's a spectacle of glorious monochromatic colour and nostril stuffing smells that completely transforms the landscape.

Drone shots over rural fields full of oilseed rape. Direct overhead shots, presented as a three layered horizontal triptych. Farm vehicle marks and utility poles and wires cut across the blanket of bright yellow.

Yellow Jet fuel. Fields are filling up with this colourful oilseed rape and, whilst not yet a viable option, is something that potentially could be used as a more sustainable bio-fuel in the aviation industry. Maybe that process will be getting ramped up hearing this morning's news (Europe possibly facing shortages by next month).

Either way, it's a spectacle of glorious monochromatic colour and nostril stuffing smells that completely transforms the landscape.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Apr 26

Haribo beetle. Well, scarlet lilly beetle - but they look quite deliciously chewy. One of a pair about to wreak havoc in one of the plant boxes; unless the birds see through their cunning camouflage first and decide they look delicious too. #Spring #MacroPhotography #GardenLife #Beetle

A bright red scarlet lilly beetle sits at the tip of a bright green lilly leaf. The red shell of the insect looks like a shiny piece of confectionery. Its legs and antennae sit symmetrically either side of the vertically aligned subject, against a dark, almost black background.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Apr 26

Spring Vibes. Not many bugs around to pester yet, but the garden is stretching and yawning and slowly coming back to life. #Spring #MacroPhotography #GardenLife

A grid of 4 images in a grid. Close up macro photography of garden plants shaking off winter with buds and fresh signs of new growth.

A grid of 4 images in a grid. Close up macro photography of garden plants (and one lazy bluebottle fly) shaking off winter with buds and fresh signs of new growth.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Apr 19

Out on a Sunday drive looking for the last of the weekend's freedom, and maybe a sunset over the #RiverForth. Instead, spotted #HMSQueenElizabeth slinking out of Rosyth dockyard under the cover of a #rainbow in preparation for moving on elsewhere.

The Royal Navy's aircraft carrier 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' anchored in the Firth of Forth after leaving Rosyth dockyard. An intense double rainbow pens the vessel in as it sits stationary on the water.

No pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, just a tug boat. The Royal Navy's aircraft carrier 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' anchored in the Firth of Forth after leaving Rosyth dockyard. An intense rainbow is on the water next to the large vessel and a smaller tug boat is captured in its coloured bands.

The Royal Navy's aircraft carrier 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' anchored in the Firth of Forth after leaving Rosyth dockyard. Before moving on, it will negotiate the three river crossings alos pictured here in the evening sunlight - The Queensferry Crossing, The Forth Road Bridge, and the iconic red girdered and riveted Forth Bridge.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Apr 19

The ubiquitous wing tip photo. But reflections from inside were obscuring too much. Ran it through the new(ish) reflection removal tools in #Lightroom and it does a fantastic job of restoring the view I was enjoying. Flying into #Antalya, looking over the city lights of #Usak, #Turkey.

Love a window seat, but impossible to capture the views without also catching all the internal reflections from inside the cabin. This photo shows the shot straight out of camera - flying over Northern Turkey. The city lights of Ursak appearing thirty seven thousand feet below through the clouds and just after sunset. The ubiquitous wing-tip of the Boeing 737 with Jet 2 sunburst livery included.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Apr 7

Been on a bit of a mission to catch the last of winter hanging on to this view of Ben Lomond over Stirling. With the temperature rising and the trees sprouting foliage, the view up river to Stirling is going to take on a different aspect in the days and weeks ahead. #LandscapePhotography

A long zoom lens view from Alloa and up river to Stirling. Taken early morning in 'golden hour' the view shows the abandoned munitions warehouses at 'Bandeath' before giving way to the city buildings and the ancient and commanding Stirling Castle. Miles beyond, the munro mountain of Ben Lomond frames the outline of the castle with its retreating snow covered summit against a bright blue spring sky.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Apr 6

Checking in over the county border, looking to Stirling from the Old harbour in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. Looks MUCH more serene than the 3˚C and biting winds heading down the River Forth reality it actually was. 🥶 #Scotland #LandscapePhotography

The silhouetted city skyline of historic Stirling, Scotland. Seen after 'Storm Dave' had blown through, leaving clouds catching intense orange colours as the sun heads towards the horizon. Looking over a choppy River Forth From the old harbour area in Alloa, Clackmannanshire the buildings of Stirling Castle dominate the silhouette.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Apr 2

Watched the #ArtemisII launch late last night with the same awe & enthusiasm building that brought back long buried memories of a very young me watching #Apollo launches live. So, our local #WallaceMonument got a bit of a makeover to channel some of that. *No AI - Full edit sequence posted.

A digital composite of the #WallaceMonument in Stirling, Scotland re-imagined as Scotland's first moon launch vehicle. A blue toned image showing the rocket shaped architecture supported by the Saturn launch tower, as steam spreads our from the base as if getting ready to launch towards the large full moon that sits in the background on the right of the frame

Anything #NASA can do...

Powered by the world's largest IRN-BRU fuelled booster rocket. Just shake to launch.

The original edit of the RAW Wallace Monument photograph and full 'Worm Moon' rising in the sky next to the crown of the iconic building.

The original RAW file, straight out of camera, of the Wallace Monument and full 'Worm Moon' rising in the sky next to the crown of the building.

A screengrab of the Photoshop workspace, showing the editing process and evidencing that no Generative AI was used to manipulate the image; just good old fashioned composting and image manipulation

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Mar 22

These weekends just fly in so they do. 😟 Been a good one to get out and about at least, and captured some nice sunset views over the Forth Valley last night from #ClackmannanTower #LandscapePhotography #DronePhotography

Drone shot from above King's Seat Hill. The always interesting views over Alloa and up through the Forth Valley are always enhanced when the sunset and fading light steps up their game like this. This is one of the four towers that were built locally in the 14th and 15th centuries to show off a bit, and what's now left of Clackmannan Tower has clear views to Stirling Castle and Bannockburn over in the next county and would've been a good spot to watch a few ancient battles from.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Mar 21

The Spring Equinox #TheWallaceMonument #Sunset

A diffuse but intensely orange sun sets in softly stretched clouds, over the still bare branched trees that line the Abbey Craig slopes, with the distinctive silhouette of The National Wallace Monument piercing the brightest part of the sky with its sculpted crown architecture.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Mar 19

Sans Dogs tonight, drone instead as the sky looked like it had potential. And it did not dissappoint, firing up into one of the best #sunsets I've seen in a long time over #Stirling #LandscapePhotography #Scotland

A panoramic aerial drone shot with intense coloured sunset sky over the Forth Valley. The River Forth and the abandoned warehouses of Bandeath Munitions depot lead to the city Stirling with it's castle and famous Wallace Monument. On the right of frame the Ochil Hills rise into the sunset lit clouds and deep blue sky above.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Mar 18

Love this time of year, post-work walks in near daylight and the chance of catching a spectacular #sunset whilst wandering over the local golf course with the dogs. #LandscapePhotography #Scotland

A three shot panoramic view from the fifth fairway of Braehead Golf Club. The Trossach Mountains stretched out between Stirling Castle and The Wallace Monument looking west during a colourful and spectacular sunset. The most southerly Munro mountain - Ben Lomond - pierces the layered orange clouds.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Mar 8

Another weekend fades off into dark. But, at least it's fading a bit later each evening now. A peaceful hour or so down on the River Forth taking in the views as well as the sounds of nature embracing spring too. Much needed. #LandscapePhotography #NightPhotography #Scotland #SpringVibes

The Kincardine Swing bridge (ex- swing bridge) crossing the River Forth into a subtle sunset sky. A composite images of two long exposure photographs showing the passage of time and change in character of the same view - fifty five minutes between the left and right side of this image.

The highly illuminated foreshore of Grangemouth, Scotland. As night descends the lights of the heavy industry at the fuel processing hub on the River Forth (no longer refining, mothballed in April 2025) smear vertically across the frame and down over the dark blue waters

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Mar 3

March's post lunar eclipse, post blood moon rising beside Clackmannan Tower. With the first glorious day of spring and the clearest of blue skies it was a trudge through some muddy fields to set up a welcome for this absolute beauty of a moonrise. #FullMoon #WormMoon

A dark sky of blue, fades in a curve to pink and then to reveal a bright full moon rising between leafless trees and and an ancient and abandoned tower, all silhouetted in the dark on a hillside in Scotland.

Clackmannan Tower is what remains of a five-storey tower house seated on the summit of King's Seat Hill near Clackmannan, Scotland and dates back to the 14th century.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Mar 1

Chasing off winter and heading into spring maybe? The last sunset of February looking up river to the twilight and twinkling city lights of Stirling. #LandscapePhotography #Scotland

Liking this new sunshine phenomenon we've been getting a glimpse at. Optimistically headed back down to the old harbour expecting to see Ben Lomond glistening in white against the fiery sky but it looks like it's pretty much snow free now. Stirling Castle and the twilighting city below looked warm and welcoming below clouds peeling slowly across the citrus sky.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Feb 27

New boots. No way was I staying in when the sun was being so sunny and after the clouds had been so cloudy for weeks, so off up the hill to break in a new pair. #LandscapePhotography #SpringVibes #Stirling #WellNotWealthy

A sunset with crepuscular rays, photographed from the slopes of the Ochil Hills in Clackmannanshire and looking over the Forth Valley towards Stirling. The City and Stirling Castle sits behind the Wallace Monument as sun rays radiate from the cloud textured sky.

A sunset with the sun generating a colourful starburst effect. Photographed from the slopes of the Ochil Hills in Clackmannanshire and looking over the Forth Valley towards Stirling. The City and Stirling Castle sits behind the Wallace Monument as sun rays radiate from the cloud textured sky.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Feb 27

Some hopeful local news on a morning that has shown hope for the wider UK. Our #Alloa college campus, under threat from closure due to under-funding has a reprieve; for another year at least. Well done to all staff, students and the wider Wee County community for fighting this. #Clackmannanshire

A drone shot taken over Forth Valley College, Alloa Campus, as a protest rally against it's threatened closure takes place. The town of Alloa and County of Clackmannanshire in which this college serves the local community stretches out beyond, up the Forth Valley to the Ochils Hills and Stirling on the horizon beyond

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Feb 16

"What a difference a day makes". A pictorial definition of that. Teased with spring one day, woke to a dusting of snow and then rain again. But it was good to wander down by the River Devon, catch up with the gang of swans but still not see any beavers. #LandscapePhotography #Clackmannanshire

An aerial photo taken from a drone over a calm river in the sunshine. the grass on the river banks show signs of white frost as to large swans fly past between the camera and the river

A wide angle shot over a calm river in the sunshine. A bright sunny wintery scene with bare trees overhanging the water. A large group of white swans, make their way towards the camera in a higglety-pigglety line.

A drone image over a winding river in the sunshine of a rurual scene with trees and fields. A large group of white swans, make their way along the winding river loops in a higglety-pigglety line.

A drone image looking directly down over a winding river in the sunshine, of a rural scene with trees and fields. The corner of some large whisky bond warehouses with bright white roofs break in from the edges of the frame. A large group of white swans just visible as white dots on the river make their way along the winding river loop in a higglety-pigglety line.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jan 30

Pigeons jostle and gather on a food laden bird table in the golden winter morning light. Something quite quasi-religious going on down over breakfast in a few of these shots. #BirdPhotography #Sunrise #GoldenHour

Sunrise, soft, golden hour telephoto lens shot of pigeons congregating on a wooden bird table in the morning light. Four all calmly lined up on a perch whilst one individual sits facing them all, as they look to be waiting for the instruction to tuck in.

Sunrise, soft, golden hour telephoto lens shot of pigeons congregating on a wooden bird table in the morning light. Five all impatiently lined up on a perch whilst one individual sits facing them all, just about to tuck in to breakfast. Another, wings spread wide, flies in from the right.

Sunrise, soft, golden hour telephoto lens shot of pigeons congregating on a wooden bird table in the morning light. All pigeons now eagerly pecking at the bird food, as one lands on the perch wings fully spread and feathers catching the golden hour light of a winter sunrise.

Sunrise, hard lit, golden hour telephoto lens shot of pigeons congregating on a wooden bird table in the morning light. The sun has just appeared over the treeline beyond and something has spooked the birds feeding on the bird table. Two silhouetted birds scatter food as they fly off.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jan 25

Wandered around one loop of the river where around 75 Swans are gathered, and almost strafed by precision bombing bird just after take off. Saw plenty of new beaver activity too, but no beavers. #Scotland #NaturePhotography #UrbanWildlife

A close up shot of a swan, neck, wings and sphincter fully outstretched as a stream of excrement is being ejected and heading perilously close to the photographer!

A frame full of swans on a corner of a local river in winter, mostly serene, one or two jostling for position an pecking at others. A few obviously still juvenile in here, but most young adults - I think sharing this safe and secluded section of the River before pairing and flying off in the next few weeks for waterways new.

Seems like there's a bit of vying for leadership and dominance going on between a few of the swans too. This photo captures two squaring up to each other, wings outstretched and aggressively being beaten, causing the water surface to froth and foam.

An aerial drone photograph of a large flock of swans taken from around 100ft in the air - around 75 in this image - congregating on the river near a muddy river bank where they gather to be fed regularly.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jan 23

Nice to see this hilltop folly appear (eventually) on UK #Traitors last night. Raked the archives for when we were up that way. In absolutely typical #Scottish mid-summer tradition (July 12th), it rained and rained then rained some more. And once we got to the top, the views were... non-existent.

The Fyrsih Monument, Easter Ross, Scotland. An unfinished folly on the summit of a hill looking over the Cromarty Firth. Columns of roughly structured rocks form a central section of three arches, flanked either side with two additional stone columns. This images is a composite of multiple images with a group of people positioned differently in each

A drenched by the rain Lhasa Apso dog, wrapped in an Irn Bru print towel is held in the arms of a tall man for warmth, under the arches of the Fyrish Monument

A Lhasa Apso dog, soaked by the persistent rain looks pleadingly back at the photographer. The dog is at full length of an extendable lead, stationary on a path that is running with rainwater like a Scottish burn, it's walker trudging ahead only a few yards from the hill summit where the Fyrish Monument is partly visible in the mizzle.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jan 11

A higher aerial view of the village pond for more context on this - can you still see the whale?

An aerial shot taken with a drone over a small frozen village pond. The ice has been kept clear in a small area by the mallards, coots, moor hens and swans working together to share the ice free area. Nearby winter woodland, residential buildings, roads, paths and parkland show the pond's setting in the urban environment.

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jan 10

The Blue Whale. The local pond now has a sheet of ice covering most of it, but the resident wildlife have got together to keep this small section clear, taking turns to circle and keep it ice free. Nature does it best. #Winter #BirdPhotography #AerialPhotography #Clackmannanshire #RSPBScotland

A cold blue toned photograph of a variety of birds in the a pond in winter. An aerial shot taken with a drone over a small frozen village pond. The ice has been kept clear in a small area by the mallards, coots, moor hens and swans working together to share the ice free area. The fringes of the pool have hundreds of small pieces of food - mostly bread - encased in the frozen water as local visitors throw and scatter food towards the birds. They won't go hungry!

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jan 4

Didn't fancy the cold last night when the first super-moon of 2026 rose, was too cozy and full of saag paneer and poppadoms. So, out this morning in -5˚C cold to catch the moonset instead and chased the waning Wolf Super-Moon over the summit of Dumyat in the Ochil Hills. #LandscapePhotography 🥶

An almost full Wolf Moon setting in a cold, clear blue sky over Dumyat hill at sunrise on the morning of January 4th 2026. A single figure and hilltop cairn and trig point are caught as silhouettes in the face of the moon as it dips below the summit, and the hillside is lit up orange in the morning sunshine
An almost full Wolf Moon setting in a cold, clear blue sky over Dumyat hill at sunrise on the morning of January 4th 2026. A single figure and hilltop cairn and trig point are caught as silhouettes in the face of the moon as it dips below the summit, and the hillside is lit up orange in the morning sunshine

Taken with a long telephoto lens in the Central Belt of Scotland, from Clackmannanshire where the Ochil Hills protect the north of the Wee County

Brian Smith 📷@ibriphoto· Jan 3

A very energetic start to the New Year at the Comrie Flambeaux festival. Definitely a unique and fiery way to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next one! More info in the Alt text. #Scotland #Hogmanay #NewYear