Sometimes I am asked to do press photos – and when these are for a worthy cause, I’m always willing to oblige, if I’m available, and last week I travelled over to Ballymena to help with publicity for the
FAIRHILL 5 MILES RUNNING EVENT
This is an annual race, sponsored by Fairhill Shopping Centre, and run by BRAC, the Ballymena Running and Athletics Club, – this year in aid of Castle Tower Parents, Friends and Staff Association,
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.
Continue reading Street Stories: A Book in the Chaos of BelfastIn 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.
Let us never forget.
Captured with the Fujifilm X-T50
One of the growth sectors, it seems, in Northern Ireland, at least since the so-called ‘ceasefires’ of the 1990’s has been ‘Troubles Tourism,’ where visitors to the city are given guided tours of relics of the troubled past pf the region. You can book a ‘Troubles Taxi Tour’ from around £75. Hotels, travel and holiday companies and cruise ships are including Troubles Tourism in their itinerary offerings. Visitors take open-top buses, coaches, bicycles and walking tours, looking at the locations of riots, bombings and shooting, photographing political murals and of course visiting the infamous Belfast ‘PEACE LINES’
July 29th 2005
It was a reasonably good day, meteorologically, warm and not raining for a change, so I suggested a trip to Belfast might be a good way to put in the day, – after all, I’m meant to be resting this week… And with me went Janette, my long suffering wife, and the Nikon FM3a.
So we caught a train at Antrim Station. If you’ve visited here, and never used Northern Ireland Railways, you should put that right on your next visit. The trains are modern, clean, warm and safe, and best of all, they are mostly on time! Not bad from a state owned company!
Our seemingly annual trip to Derry/Londonderry (So good they named it twice?) or ‘Stroke City as it became known during the era of the late Gerry Anderson, the legendary (should that be ‘legend-derry?) famous BBC Radio Ulster broadcaster and entertainer. Where was I… Oh yes, our annual trip to Northern Ireland’s second city saw me taking a wander, with the Fujifilm X-T5, around the city centre, namely Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place, and then later round by the Craft Village. I’d walked the famous walls many times, and somehow that day I just didn’t have the energy to struggle up all those hilly ramparts. So, – city centre it was, while my so-much better half went to explore the big shops to be found in the city.
Derryboye Crossroads, in deepest Co.Down, where an Israeli flag has been raised on a lamppost!
Photographed with the Nikon FG20 camera on Ilford HP5 pushed to ISO800, and developed for nine minutes in FD10, 200mm lens.
I was in Belfast today, and driving slowly past this litter bin, I caught a glimpse of the poppy wreath on top of the bin. A poignant reminder perhaps tat nothing in this life lasts forever, not even our acts of remembrance.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Ecclesiastes 9:5
I stopped the car, and photographed it with the Fujifilm X-T5 camera.
It could be Rotterdam, or anywhere, Liverpool or Rome – another bland stereotypical modern, soulless shopping mall.
The long closed Glarryford Station on the NIR line between Cullybackey and Ballymoney. The station was opened on 1st July 1856 by the then Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Portrush Junction Railway, and was in operation until it was closed 2 July 1973.
Photographed with the Nikon FG20 on Ilford HP5
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