My Favourite Landscape Photos:
(In no particular order of preference!)
1) Murlough Bay, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
2) Glenoe Waterfall, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
3) The Ballintoy Arch & Elephant, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
1) Murlough Bay, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
There are two Murlough Bays in Northern Ireland, one is located in County Down and offers a beautiful open view of the Mourne Mountains, and the other is in County Antrim, on the north east coast, close to Ballycastle. This landscape photograph was taken in the latter which, in my opinion, offers the greatest photographic potential of the two.
One of the most difficult aspects of landscape photography is that in order to create a great landscape image, all the elements need to come together at exactly the right moment, in exactly the right place; the weather, the clouds, the waves, the tide - it all has to be just right.
I like this landscape photograph more than any other in my gallery, because it was one of those rare moments when everything came together exactly where I wanted them to. The sun was lined up with the little dip in the headland, the waves were fierce enough to allow me to capture their movement, the wet rocks were bouncing the warm light from the sun all around, the the bank of cloud in the south framed the shot beautifully.
One of the most difficult aspects of landscape photography is that in order to create a great landscape image, all the elements need to come together at exactly the right moment, in exactly the right place; the weather, the clouds, the waves, the tide - it all has to be just right.
I like this landscape photograph more than any other in my gallery, because it was one of those rare moments when everything came together exactly where I wanted them to. The sun was lined up with the little dip in the headland, the waves were fierce enough to allow me to capture their movement, the wet rocks were bouncing the warm light from the sun all around, the the bank of cloud in the south framed the shot beautifully.
2) Glenoe Waterfall, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
This is the lower waterfall in Glenoe, a small village in the south of County Antrim. When you are actually there, it is a very beautiful place, but like most beautiful places, capturing it in a landscape photograph is very challenging. After several attempts over about 2 years, I finally managed to capture the scene in a way which did it justice.
I like the depth in the composition, and the red leaves among the green foliage. Also, the water level was perfect - deep enough to allow for a fast flow, but not so deep that the rocks in the riverbed were hidden.
Another problem at this location is that trees form a canopy up above the waterfall. With not much direct light getting through, colours are often dull and lifeless, but on this particular day, diffused bright light illuminated the scene beautifully.
I like the depth in the composition, and the red leaves among the green foliage. Also, the water level was perfect - deep enough to allow for a fast flow, but not so deep that the rocks in the riverbed were hidden.
Another problem at this location is that trees form a canopy up above the waterfall. With not much direct light getting through, colours are often dull and lifeless, but on this particular day, diffused bright light illuminated the scene beautifully.
3) The Ballintoy Arch & Elephant, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Ballintoy Harbour is a popular place on the north coast of Ireland. The quaint harbour and its 'tea room' attract plenty of locals and tourists alike. In fact, during the summer it is virtually impossible to get a parking space during the day. Fortunately, we landscape photographers prefer to work at sunrise and sunset, so we can generally avoid the crowds.
Many people explore the harbour itself, but few venture along the coast to the west in the direction of White Park Bay. Those who do, however, are rewarded by what is probably the nicest cove in Northern Ireland. As you walk over the crest of the small hill behind the cove, a rock shaped like an elephant begins to appear (although you have to use a healthy dose of imagination to see it!), with a striking white arch to its left. White cliffs line the left of the cove, with a tall rocky hill to the right. Although it would seem to be well protected, plenty of the Atlantic ocean's energy charges into the bay and there are some great sounds to be heard as the waves crash into the rocks.
I have been to this location many, many times in search of great light. I was particularly pleased with this sky, as the both the colours and cloud formations are as good as I have ever seen on the coast. I was also pleased with how my use of a long exposure speed rendered the motion of the waves.
3) The Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
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Many people explore the harbour itself, but few venture along the coast to the west in the direction of White Park Bay. Those who do, however, are rewarded by what is probably the nicest cove in Northern Ireland. As you walk over the crest of the small hill behind the cove, a rock shaped like an elephant begins to appear (although you have to use a healthy dose of imagination to see it!), with a striking white arch to its left. White cliffs line the left of the cove, with a tall rocky hill to the right. Although it would seem to be well protected, plenty of the Atlantic ocean's energy charges into the bay and there are some great sounds to be heard as the waves crash into the rocks.
I have been to this location many, many times in search of great light. I was particularly pleased with this sky, as the both the colours and cloud formations are as good as I have ever seen on the coast. I was also pleased with how my use of a long exposure speed rendered the motion of the waves.
3) The Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
The 'Dark Hedges' is the name given to a section of the Bregagh Road, deep in the heart of northern County Antrim. The road gets its nickname from the ancient beech trees which line it. Although they were thinned out several years ago due to safety concerns, the Dark Hedges are still an amazing place to visit, and photograph.
This scene has been photographed countless times, and everyone who visits it takes a very similar photograph. However, on this occasion I was happy to capture lighting conditions slightly different to the norm - the bright green at the top and bottom of the image balance the scene well, and warm colours throughout make for a nice landscape image.
This scene has been photographed countless times, and everyone who visits it takes a very similar photograph. However, on this occasion I was happy to capture lighting conditions slightly different to the norm - the bright green at the top and bottom of the image balance the scene well, and warm colours throughout make for a nice landscape image.
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