All posts by Bob McEvoy

Freelance Photographer.
Beautiful Ulster, Black & White, Photo-Essay, Travel

Murlough Bay

I’d a roll of Rollei RPX25 in the Nikon F100, so when (at last) a sunny day unfolded over Northern Ireland, I decided the light might be just bright enough for some ISO25 photography. It was Thursday, 1st August 2024, and nothing much was happening that was photo-worthy, so Janette and myself, and Lottie the wiry dachshund made our way to Murlough Bay, a Nature Reserve sandy dunes area on the east cost, owned and managed by The National Trust, situated between Newcastle (the Co.Down one – ‘Where the Mountains of Mourn Sweep Down to the Sea’) and Dundrum.

Murlough Bay, with the Mourne Mountains in the background.
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Black & White, Fun Shots, Photo-Technique

Flying Feet.

Isn’t it great when you shoot them and they have both feet off the ground. Incidentally, this image was made at a distance of around 150 yards from camera position.

For those who like to know these things, the image was shot at F=290mm, f/5.6 @ 1/500th second on ISO500. The aperture was wide open to allow a shallow depth of field, hence the bokeh (the fall-off in focus) visible on the ground, while the faster shutter speed froze the feet in a fraction of a second – a moment in time. The ISO was set at 500 to achieve a 1/3rd stop over-exposure, and CLICK.

Belfast, Black & White, Reportage, Streetscapes

East Belfast Bonfire

It was bonfire season in East Belfast, – early July, so an opportunity to make an image of kids building a pyre, with the famous Belfast cranes in the background.

Newtownards Road, Belfast.

This image was made with the Nikon F100 camera on Rollei RPX25 film, processed in FD10 for 5 minutes, and scanned for digital viewing. Digital processing in Lightroom using one of my favourite presets.

Beautiful Ulster, Black & White, Co. Antrim, Landscapes, Photo-Essay, Reportage, Scotland, Travel

Rathlin Island

On Tuesday 23rd July 2024 Janette and I visited (for the first time) the small island of Rathlin, just off the north coast of County Antrim. Rathlin is the only inhabited island on the coast of Northern Ireland, with a population of around 150, although it is reported that the population is steadily growing. I can understand why. We were quite taken with its tranquility, and its peacefulness. The island is very community focused, and a graphic near the Co-op lists the values that mark the community, – seeking to make Rathlin a welcoming place for everyone. 

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Beautiful Ulster, Co. Antrim, Landscapes, Travel

Dunluce Sunset

On Thursday, 25th July 2024, Janette and I were travelling along the road between Bushmills and Portrush, in Co.Antrim – the fabulous Causeway Coast, that makes our wee country one of the most scenic destinations in the world. As we approached the ruins of Dunluce Castle, – perched on top of a rocky outcrop, – I saw the possibility of a silhouette, and pulled over, parking the car on the white lines, and walked over to the side of the road,

The sun was setting over the Atlantic Ocean, away to my right, but the sky was red, and the castle mostly in shadow. I set the Fujifilm X-T5 to f/5 @ 1/100th second on ISO 250. I usually shoot on Acros Film Simulation, and RAW simultaneously, so I had the RAW file to colour process in Lightroom.

Black & White, Co. Antrim, Photo-Technique

Fujifilm Neopan Acros Black and White Film,

I’ve been trying out a new-to-me Nikkor lens on the Nikon D100, using Fujifilm Neopan Acros Black and White film, – old stock dated July 2013. I’ve never developed Acros myself before, (although Acros Film Simulation is one of my favourite shooting modes on the Fujifilm digital cameras).
I have to say, I really like this film. It has a beautifully soft grain, and gives great depths of contrast on the digital scanner.

Continue reading Fujifilm Neopan Acros Black and White Film, →
Black & White, Co. Antrim, Fun Shots, Photo-Essay, Reportage

Music at Randalstown Festival

I spent an hour at the annual Randalstown Community Festival, an event aimed at bringing the community together in the town centre, for a night of free open air entertainment and fun, with cuddly animals and funfair rides for the kids, a mini-market selling novelties and food, and a stage featuring local artists.

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