The above image is a gift. It is a gift to a photographer who never leaves the house without his camera. A wing mirror of a heavy goods lorry staring back at you, knowingly, like an optical detective investigating the world behind you. To the snapper just a seen, caught moment. Abstractly spooky.

The second image is also a gift, more thoughtful; this time to the people of the remote village of Durness in Sutherland to help raise funds for the John Lennon Memorial Garden near the village hall, where tis picture was taken. Both pictures are watching us or is the photographer just watchful, observant in his creativity?

This image – An alien looks for John Lennon -  is a tribute to the love John Lennon had for Durness. It was a place where he was at his happiest, on his holidays with his auntie and cousins at their croft near beautiful Sango beach. The community garden was created – the most northerly community garden on the UK mainland – as a lyrical call-back to Lennon’s love for the place.

‘There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever….
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I’ll love you more’

Back to the photographs. We are surrounded all the time by opportunities to make great pictures like these seen here, to define the abstract from the commonplace, often just feet away, or just to tell a story. Look at the third photograph – Iris Opens the Games. Here we are back in the heart of the Durness community, at the local Highland games. The description by the photographer says: ‘the same every year, yet every year different – though there are some fixtures’. Not mocking but a comforting reminder to us all, who have been to a many highland games, that it is the familiar ‘fixtures’ that make them endure, that bring us back.

Finally, an image of lyrical artistry – Autumn Waterfall. It is no coincidence that the photographer has printed his images on canvas; by doing so he has indulged these simple, thoughtful pictures with a painterly quality. He says, ‘this is a rock just above our garden, to which adheres falling leaves for a few days each year. The colours sparkle and move’. Well, yes, they do. This is in his exhibition, 30 x 24 inches, on canvas and can be yours for £169. Go on, you won’t be disappointed and you will be singing with John Lennon.

Oh yes, who is the photographer? Scotland’s very own Culture Minister Michael Russell MSP. Artist, musician, writer, spokesman for the arts. A man with an eye, a camera and an open mind. He says: ‘what interests me is the way in which taking photographs establishes a new relationship between an object and its surroundings’. Rejoice, I will!

• Where? LOCH CROISPOL Bookshop and Restaurant, 2 Balnakeil, Durness IV27 4PT
• When? Mon – Sun 10.30 am – 4pm
• Contacts: Phone 01971 511 777. Email: lochcroispol@btopenworld.com

Exhibition ends July 31st. Durness goes on.

Reviewer: Graeme Murdoch

Graeme Murdoch is a photography consultant and director of Cultural Connect  Scotland.

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