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Landscapes Northern Ireland

Looking back on a year

I know it’s not the end of the year just yet, but before the Christmas images I thought it would be nice to look back. This time last year we were still living in Southport, but already planning for the changes to come. A year on, and I’ve travelled up and down our little province, and sometimes beyond. I’ve visited places that I haven’t visited in decades and I’ve revisited some favourite spots.

One of our new favourite spots is the Ards Peninsula, and Portaferry. During the summer evenings the light there is magical, and the beaches are mostly empty – so please don’t visit, we like them that way! This photo of our trusty little car parked up by the beach sums it up for me – there’s nothing better than travelling the coast of Northern Ireland with a camera to hand and family to share the experience.

Ballyquintin, Ards Peninsula
Ballyquintin, Ards Peninsula
Categories
Landscapes Northern Ireland

The Co. Down Coast, Northern Ireland

Ballyhornan Beach
Ballyhornan Beach

The Co. Down coast has always been one of my favourite haunts – the coastline is unspoiled and uncluttered. There are very view visitors to most of the beaches along this stretch of coast, so it’s a simple matter to find space to yourself if that’s what you want.

Driving along from Strangford towards Newcastle we passed Ballyhornan beach. It was almost empty, but not quite, but the other visitors were far enough away to allow everyone their own little stretch of coastline. I like this view over the rocks towards the distant mother and daughter walking the tideline.

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Northern Ireland

Towards the Bridge

Carrick a Rede
Carrick a Rede
Categories
Landscapes Northern Ireland

Towards the Mournes

Towards the MouresPerhaps this photo demonstrates as much as anything a change of direction in my photography. Having moved back to Northern Ireland I’m no longer photographing the North West England coast, but finding familiar sights from long ago, and other places that I’ve never visited before.

On Saturday we took a drive along the Mourne Coast and up through the mountains. We stopped here (wherever here is) to capture the road winding towards the mountains. I’m just beginning so many journeys (or perhaps recommencing some), but at least I know that the road is worth travelling.

Categories
Landscapes Northern Ireland

No Focal Point

No Focal Point

No focal point – I like to take images with no definite focal point. I think in the back of my mind I’m wondering how it would look on my wall – what I mean is, sometimes what makes a great photograph, because of a great composition with a point of focus in the foreground, actually is too busy to put on a wall and view over months or years. I think that the pictures on our walls (apart from family photos) should have a timeless nature to them, something that our eyes can ‘wander’ round without being drawn time and time again to that obvious focal point. I personally find this sort of image much more restful…

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Landscapes Northern Ireland

The Strangford Ferry

Ferry at Sunset

 

The Strangford Ferry crosses the narrows of Strangford Lough from morning to sunset, carrying cars and people between the towns of Portaferry and Strangford. I was lucky to be able to spend some time in Portaferry and to photograph this beautiful part of Northern Ireland. One evening in particular the sunset was soft but stunning and I managed to capture the ferry as it crossed in front of the setting sun.

Categories
Landscapes Northern Ireland

Portaferry Sunset

Portaferry sunset

One of the little known beauty spots in Northern Ireland is Portaferry! It’s tucked away at the very tip of the Ards Peninsula, not a busy place. But there’s a tranquil beauty to surrounding water and countryside. Bounded by Strangford Lough, and the Irish Sea just over the hills the light is wonderful and the sunsets can be spectacular. Taking a walk along the coastal road one evening I captured this image of the sun setting over the bend of the road. We were walking back towards the town itself at this point, but I kept looking back, watching the light, and here’s the result!