Another gem of Belfast’s architectural heritage, this Grade B1 listed, triangular building (known locally as ‘the smoothing iron’) in Little Donegal Street, Belfast, was once the premises of Robert Watson’s furniture manufacturing company, suppliers of beds to the Royal family, and whose beds were installed in many luxury liners built in Harland and Wolff, the Belfast shipyard, including the Titanic. The building was designed by William J Fennel and built between 1898 and 1907, originally known as ‘Library House.’
As a boy of 12 or so years of age, so, in the late 1960s, a real treat was a Saturday afternoon in Belfast City Centre with my grandfather, – for although he seemed to spend ages browsing through the stock in various tool and equipment stores, – what would probably be known now as DIY shops. But the compensation for this period of boredom would be when we eventually got to Smithfield, the old ‘shambles’ style covered market in between Royal Avenue and Millfield, off Gresham Street. Smithfield wasn’t a market with stalls, nor a modern style shopping centre, but a unique shambles of musty run-down outlets packed with books, records, tools, second hand furniture, bric-a-brac and much much more, including a popular ‘joke shop’ – every small boy’s favourite.
To get to Smithfield from the city centre bus stops required a walk along Queen’s Street, and then along Chapel Lane, and past the Roman Catholic Church of St Mary, and its strange and imposing Marian shrine. To a small boy, not of the Catholic persuasion, and unused to Catholic piety, the shrine appeared mysterious, unwelcoming and even frightening. We hurried past it with eyes looking away and heads bowed.
A city centre walk around Belfast brought me to Royal Avenue,, where classic Victorian architecture clashes with garish modernism. This example stands out…
Fujifilm X-T50 F=18mm, f/5.6 @ 1/60th sec, on ISO80.
I’m always glad to be asked to provide press photography coverage for events, everything from business conferences to lobbying groups meeting at Stormont to church events and occasions.
This recent project was a church installation service at Dromore, Co.Down…
Holywood, Co.Down is a (rather posh!) suburb in North Down, between Belfast and Bangor, and part of Northern Ireland’s gold coast, – the so called ’stockbroker belt.’ I happened to be driving through it on Monday 1st September 2025, en-route to Newtownards. As I drove past St Colmcille’s Catholic Church, I reminded myself that I’d promised to take a closer look at this remarkable building, set high on a hill on the approach to the town, a fusion of an old bell-tower and a modern circular building. So, on my return journey, I stopped for twenty minutes or so, armed with the Fujifilm X-T50.
Caught a moment of calm, just off the hustle and bustle of Belfast’s busy Royal Avenue, a homeless street person, lost in the pages of a book, challenges our perceptions, reminding us that not everyone in those circumstances is there because of illiteracy or wasted opportunities, or substance addiction. For the photographer, such stories can be found everywhere, even in the most unexpected places.
The Fujifilm X-T50 captured this seemingly contradictory slice of life.
I don’t NEED another camera. I really don’t, and I keep telling myself that, but it never seems to work! When the Fujifilm X-T50 mirrorless digital camera came along in June 2024, it just tugged at my heartstrings so much, I knew that one day my resolve would weaken… So, I’ve got one, despite the fact that I’ve already got an X-T3 and an X-T5. (And of course, a half dozen or more film cameras). Overkill, some might say. My self-justification for the purchase, and I suppose, my excuse to finally yield to the temptation came when the price of a new X-T50 camera body dropped from £1299 to £1149.
Fujifilm X-T50, fitted with an 18-135 f/3.5 – f/5.6 Fujinon lens, and a leather half-case for protection.
Scrabo Fields As the August sun bathes the fields leading up to Scrabo Tower in Newtownards, Co. Down, the round straw bales stand like golden sentinels, the product of the summer’s growth.
The bales reflect the warmth of the season and the beauty of rural life. Captured by the Fujifilm X-T50.
As a Skoda driver myself, when I enter Randalstown from the M2, I’m always intrigued by this vintage Skoda that’s seen better days—like, maybe during the disco era?
Now it’s living its best life as a floral display, proving that even rust can blossom! Who knew a decrepit old scrapper could be so… (ahem) ‘blooming beautiful?’ LOL. So, I walked (yes – WALKED) out towards the Ballygroobey Roundabout, armed with with the Leica C-Lux camera to get a quick snap, because even old Skodas deserve a moment in the spotlight!
In the heart of Mount Vernon estate, a powerful mural stands as a poignant reminder of sacrifice and bravery.
This tribute honours the fallen heroes of the 1st World War, especially those who served in the 36th Ulster Division. A story of courage, loss, and remembrance, echoing the voices of those who gave everything for our freedom.
