In September, 2023 I visited the Belfast Book Fair, held this year in Methodist College (Methody) at Stranmillis. There was little in interest this year, by way of books, (mostly Irish history etc), but there were a couple of dealers selling antique postcards, and I spent quite a time trawling through them – with no intention of buying, of course, (some of these antique postcards can be rather expensive), despite the enthusiastic sales techniques of one of the vendors, who mistook my prolonged browsing for a potential sale. I was looking for photographic inspiration! Actually, I was sorry I hadn’t taken a notebook and pen!
Continue reading Feehogue Terrace, RandalstownCategory Archives: Beautiful Ulster
CAVE HILL, BELFAST
CAVE HILL, BELFAST, from Hightown Road.
Image made with a Nikon FG20 using Ilford Delta 3200, pulled to ISO1600. f=34mm, f/16 @ 1/500th sec.
A good film choice for a wintery day, although this image was made during weak sunshine.
This is a fast (by film standards) film, which accounts for its grainy appearance. In the developing tank, I split the processing time between 1600ISO and 3200ISO, giving it 10 mins 30 secs in Fotospeed FD10, mixed at 1/9 at 20deg, then 1 minute stop bath in 20 deg. water, 2 mins in hypo-clear and 10 mins wash.
It’s the first time I’ve used this film, and I must admit I expected more contrast in the scanned image, but, there’s another film loaded, and I’ll try again.
Gracehill in Autumn
The Better Half wanted to take a phone call, just as we drove through the village of Gracehill, near Ballymena, Co.Antrim, so because the rural phone networks are patchy, I parked the car in the street and jumped out with the Fujifilm X-T30. This served two purposes, for it meant I was able to get a quick shot of the beautiful village green, with its historic Moravian Church, nestling in autumnal colours, and at the same time, avoid having to listen to one side of her phone call.
Here’s the quick shot…
For more information on the historic village of Gracehill, click this link: https://gracehillvillage.org
St Patrick’s Church, Ballymacarrett
A Ballymacarrett icon, St Patrick’s Church on the Newtownards Road, with one of the Harland & Wolff cranes in the background.
Photographed on film with the Nikon FM3a classic camera.
Belleek Pottery
The famous Belleek Pottery, in Co.Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-T30 on Acros film simulation mode, with (digital) red filter added in-camera.
X-T30, F=18mm, f/6.4 @ 1/160th sec on ISO100
Continue reading Belleek PotteryNewcastle Co.Down
Our Lady of the Assumption RC Church – a striking modern building situated on Downs Road, Newcastle, Co.Down.
Photographed with a Fujifilm X-T4 F=35mm, f/9 @ 1/125th sec on ISO400
Lisbane Old Post Office
The Old Post Office at Lisbane, near Comber, Co.Down, now a restaurant.
Photographed with the 40 year old Nikon FG20, on Ilford HP5, ISO400.
Holy Trinity, Portrush
Holy Trinity Church Of Ireland, Main Street, Portrush, Co.Antrim.
Photographed with the 20 year old Nikon FM3a film camera on Ilford HP5, ISO400, and developed in Ilfosol 3.
The Portrush Tuk Tuk
No, I’m not abroad on an exciting holiday in the far east.
This tuk tuk is parked outside the Port Hotel in exotic Portrush. Photographed with the Nikon FM3a film camera on Ilford HP5, ISO400
Holy Trinity and St Silas
Holy Trinity and St Silas
This church is situated at the top of Oldpark Road, in Belfast, and it caught my eye when I was driving down Ballysillan Park, right towards it.
I love the way the Castlereagh Hills in the background give this image a sense of depth and perspective.
Photographed with the Nikon F100 film camera, on Ilford Delta 100.
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