Ballywalter today for work purposes, and while I waited for an appointment time, I went down to the harbour with the Fujifilm X-T2 fitted with a Nikkor 37-70mm f/3.5 lens, and a Nikkor 100-300mm lens. It was a strange day, windy and overcast, but with bright spots appearing through the threatening clouds.
First stop was to look at an old boat that I saw parked on the road down toward the slipway. Continue reading Ballywalter, Co.Down
Dateline: May 29th 2020
Socially distanced at the Loughshore Park, Antrim.
Dateline: May 18th 2020
These white Tulips are growing in a flower bed beside the post box at Crossnacreevy, so when I stopped to post some letters, I grabbed the camera and made a series of exposures of the flowers. I wanted to use a wide aperture to remove the distracting background, and it was good that I did, for the tulips were moving slightly in the wind, and I needed quite a fast shutter speed. The big tulip is in focus, but with so little actual texture in the flower itself, it was difficult to assess the focus in-camera, but in LightroomI was able to see the tiny specks of dust on the petals.
Fujifilm X-T30, F=200mm, f/4.8, 1/1000th sec on ISO1250
Sketrick Island is a favourite place for a walk, and a walk needs a camera… Today, Friday 8th May 2020 Janette and I went for a socially isolated walk along the causeway out to the island. It was a lovely warm, calm sunny morning. Here’s some shots…
I think this is my ‘Shot of the Day…’
Glasker Old Mill is on the road between Loughbrickland and Rathfriland in Co. Down. The likelihood is that the mill was once part of the extensive Irish Linen industry which thrived in that area in the 19th and early 20th Century.
I photographed it with my ‘baby’ – the Fujifilm X-T30 camera, fitted with the 18-55mm kit lens.
Just a little further down the road is a beautiful old phone box, set against an unattractive brick wall.
Thankfully, this is not a problem…
Newcastle Co.Down is a favourite of mine, with it’s beautiful setting; the scenery that inspired Percy French to write his famous song, “Where the Mountains of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea.” He might not have found it just so inspiring today, for the wind was blowing a gale, and the seas were rough – the mountains overcast and dark.
I had the Fujifilm X-T30, with a standard zoom, the 18-55mm f/2.8-4. I love using this camera, for it’s small, but with a powerful processing engine. For this walk I kept the camera on ISO400, with the film simulation mode set to Acros Black and White and shooting simultaneous Jpegs and RAW.
Kilwarlin Moravian Church and Thermopylae in Co. Down!
Kilwarlin Moravian Church was founded by John Cennick (He of Gracehill, Ballymena fame) in 1755.
Click to see post about Gracehill
Kilwarlin is described on some internet sites as a ‘small village near Hillsborough, Co.Down’. The truth is that it is scarcely that, rather a ribbon development of homes along a very narrow country road, not wide enough for two vehicles to pass, and accessible only with great care.
Buy Giclee prints from the Art Gallery, available in various sizes, mostly mounted and ready to frame. Available also as Fridge Magnets and Canvasses.
It’s back to the North Coast, one of my favourite parts of Northern Ireland! This time to spend an October day around Ballintoy, a picturesque harbour between the Giant’s Causeway and Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. I took the Fujifilm X-T30 and the Nikon F100.
Ballintoy (Baile an Tuaigh – the northern townland) village is less than a mile from the harbour, which is accessed by a narrow winding road. Even the journey to the harbour is visually rewarding.
Nestling in the shadow of Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mountains of Mourne, is one of the most beautiful areas of Northern Ireland. Driving towards Newcastle, whether through Ballynahinch or Downpatrick, one will pass through Clough, where on the left hand side of the road is Clough Castle, an ancient Motte, probably dating back to Norman times.
