Greyfriars Bobby

On the corner of Candlemaker Row beside Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh’s Old Town stands the small 1873 bronze replica of Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye terrier said to have guarded his master’s grave for 14 years in the 19th century. The actual details of this legend are questionable, but it is nevertheless an endearing tale which has captured hearts for over 150 years. The statue’s nose appears polished where countless hands rub it each day for luck. Expect a steady stream of visitors queuing for photographs in peak seasons.

An overcast day is ideal here to ensure even light on the statue. A wide aperture will create a soft bokeh and isolate the focus to the sculpted texture of the bronze statue. This is a popular spot, however getting up close, or cropping tight to the statue will mean that people in your frame is not an issue. Also, trying black and white can work well with this composition as you can be creative with contrast and grain in the edit.