About Spectacular Edinburgh

Spectacular Edinburgh is a long-running photography project that celebrates Scotland’s capital city and the landscapes around it. From golden sunrise over Calton Hill to winter light on Arthur’s Seat and the Highlands beyond, the aim is simple, to capture the character of Scotland in photographs that people are proud to live with on their walls.

Tom Foster - Spectacular Edinburgh Photography

I am Tom Foster, an Edinburgh-based photographer who has called the city home since 2008.
Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember and over the years it has grown from a hobby into a continuous project to document Edinburgh and Scotland in all seasons and all weathers.

I am largely self-taught, learning through countless hours of practice, online study and books, and I have also completed a Photography Diploma with Shaw Academy, achieving full marks and a Distinction Award.  There is always a new skill to learn, a different way to see familiar streets and a fresh challenge in changing light.

The spectacular edinburgh Project

In 2013 I created the Spectacular Edinburgh Facebook page to share images of the city with friends, locals and visitors.
Since then I have posted thousands of photographs from Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, the Highlands and Islands and further afield.
The gallery has grown into a visual record of the city over more than a decade, from dramatic sunsets to quiet moments on cobbled closes.

Although most of my work focuses on landscapes and cityscapes, I have also photographed a wide range of events, including charity events, concerts, engagements and weddings.
My images have appeared in local, national and international newspapers and other media, which has been a very rewarding way to see Edinburgh shared with a wider audience.

Spectacular Edinburgh Landscape Photography
Spectacular Edinburgh Photography in the Media

Over the years, my photographs have been used by:

  • Local and national newspapers
  • Online news and travel features
  • Charities and local organisations
  • Individuals looking for distinctive artwork for homes and offices

I am always happy to discuss how existing images can be used or to explore creating new work for a particular brief.

What i photograph

  • Edinburgh cityscapes and skylines through the seasons
  • Scottish landscapes including the Lothians, Fife and the Highlands and Islands
  • Atmospheric night scenes, long exposures and reflections
  • Documentary coverage of selected events and occasions
  • Aerial views using a compact drone where appropriate and permitted

If you are interested in prints, licensing an image for publication or discussing a specific project, please feel free to get in touch.

St Monan's Breakwater, Fife

BEHIND THE IMAGES

Steam Train at the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Good equipment helps, but the most important elements in my work are patience, timing and a genuine love of Edinburgh and Scotland. That said, for those who are interested in the technical side, I use professional-level Nikon cameras and a carefully chosen set of lenses to handle everything from wide cityscapes to distant mountain peaks.

Cameras

  • Nikon D850 (main body)
  • Nikon D800
  • Nikon D7000

Lenses

  • Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD
  • Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
  • Tamron 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3 Di VC USD
  • Nikon 50mm f/1.8D
  • Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
  • Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X PRO DX
  • Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX

Lighting, support and drone

  • Nikon SB-910 and SB-600 flashguns
  • Manfrotto and Sirui tripods for stability in low light and long exposures
  • DJI Mini 3 Pro drone for selected aerial work