Ridgeline Optics © Richard Fox

Photographer name: Richard Fox

From Buchlyvie, Stirling, Scotland

Age: 45

Photo title: Ridgeline Optics

Photo location: Meall Nan Tarmachan, Perthshire, Scotland

Date photo taken: 22nd Jan 2020

Story behind the photo: After a foggy and snowy climb up onto Meall Nan Tarmachan (Hill of the ptarmigans) (1043 m), and along the Tarmachan Ridge, I was greeted, as I ate my lunch on Meall Garbh, to a break in the weather. The sun broke through and behind me a full fog bow, Brocken Spectre and glory. At one point there were multiple glories too. 

Weather Caption: Fogbows are an optical phenomenon that form when the sun is behind an observer’s back, ideally about 30-40 degrees high, and water droplets (in the form of fog) are in front. They are similar in shape to rainbows, however the light that is reflected within the small fog droplets undergoes extensive diffraction. This means the beam of reflected light is broadened, which through merging with others results in the white colour we observe. A fogbow is centred on the antisolar point directly opposite the sun, as is a Glory – the delicately coloured rings in the centre of this image. When the observer is looking down from an elevated position, their shadow may be cast on the mist or fog appearing magnified and this is called a Broken Spectre.

What were the technical challenges: The climb was quite taxing in the snow and cold but I had to wait for some time to get both phenomena together.

Technical details:

Camera                     SONY ILCE-7RM3

Lens model               EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM

Shutter speed           1/125

Aperture                     f/11

Focal length              16 mm

35mm equivalent      16 mm

ISO                            100