On a visit to North Belfast I drove past the old Courthouse on the Crumlin Road, and decided that on my return journey, I stop and make some photographs. The courthouse was, like many old buildings in Belfast, designed by the architect Charles Lanyon and built in 1850. It closed in 1998 when the new court buildings at Laganside were opened, and it has remainded derelict since. Continue reading Crumlin Road Courthouse
Ssssssdney the Sssssssnake!
At our professional studio at Dundonald, we have a variety of posing aids and props to suit all ages, including Sydney – the Studio Snake. Snakes are well known for mesmerising their victims, until they are under their influence. So when baby George came in for his second ‘Baby’s First Year’ portrait appontment, he fell under Sydney’s charm and soon was totally spellbound! Here they are together…
Hugo Duncan in Portstewart
I’m getting desperate. Now I really can say I’d photograph anything! Literally. I know this to be true because I stood in the rain at Portstewart, just to see if I could get a photograph of Hugo Duncan* of BBC Radio Ulster fame as he did a live broadcast. Don’t ask me why. I don’t even like C&W music.
Yee-haaaa – probably better just to pack up your melodion, and get off home. Continue reading Hugo Duncan in Portstewart
The Frocess
The Frocess Trees
The famous ‘Frosses Trees’ (original spelling ‘Frocess’) on the road between Ballymena and Ballymoney. The road runs through boggy ground,
and the Pine trees were planted in 1840 on the instructions of Sir Charles Lanyon (architect and civil engineer) so that their roots would join under the road to provide support… Continue reading The Frocess
The Auld Orange Flute
Love it or hate it, the Twelth of July celebrations are a huge part of the culture in Northern Ireland, and by and large they are synonymous with marching bands. Flute Bands in particular!
The Bunch of Grapes
The Bunch of Grapes
So, I’ve visited a derelict pub in inner east Belfast, and made some photographs. Why? Well, because the site has been sold for redevelopment, it’s going to be demolished and a block of apartments built in its place. But more importantly, because this building has an ugly and gruesome history.
The Bunch of Grapes is situated on the Beersbridge Road / Castlereagh Road junction, formerly known as ‘John Long’s Corner.’ (In the 1950’s my Great Grandfather (Mr Robb) owned and ran a cobbler’s shop (a shoe repairer) at the corner, so I’ve been familiar with the area for all my life.) Continue reading The Bunch of Grapes
What’s to see? w/c 8th July 2018
What’s to see?
Over the next couple of weeks there’s plenty of opportunities for some really good photography outings.
Most obvious of course is the annual ‘OrangeFest’ (as they now call it) on July 12th. Whether you like it or loathe it, there’ll be parades and celebrations right across the province. Where there’s people there’s photographs just waiting to be made. Don’t do the obvious. It’s easy to photograph bands. Instead find a street or a town centre and make it your studio for the day. Watch the street life. Look for interesting happenstances, quirky moments. What’s happening around you on the streets that’s not in the parade? Continue reading What’s to see? w/c 8th July 2018
Bushmills, Co.Antrim
Friday, 6th July 2018 – and a business trip to Coleraine became a good excuse for a walk around the town of Bushmills. Although I can’t quite put my finger in it, here’s something I really like about Bushmills.
Bushmills is, of course, famous for its Whisky, but the town has a lot of history forby. Continue reading Bushmills, Co.Antrim
Ballygowan – The Time is Short!
Ballygowan Presbyterian Church Hall.
Originally known as ‘The Olivet Home’ it was built to be an orphanage in 1886 by Alexander Orr Reid as a memorial to his only son who was killed in a shooting accident. It was purchased by Ballygowan Presbyterian Church in 1918 and used as a school and church hall. The inscription on the building is ‘The Time is Short’ – thought to be a reference to the death of one of the construction workers, who fell to his death from the roof. A white stone on the top of the tower marks the event.
The Fun Guy!
Why did the Mushroom go to the party? Because he’s a FUNGHI! This little toadstool is called Gus, (Because he’s really such a fun Gus!). Gus, or Gussy as he is known to his friends, has bravely beaten the odds and grown up to daylight between two heavy railway sleepers that form steps in our garden. Image made with the Fujifilm X-T2, with 200 mm lens.
Sadly his party-going days are numbered, for he’ll be uprooted in case one of our grandchildren thinks he might be edible! Continue reading The Fun Guy!
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