Northern Ireland landscape photography isn’t the first thing that jumps to mind in relation to the province. Mention Northern Ireland and, for many people, it will conjure up images of terrorism, sectarian strife and unrest. While those problems are now mainly consigned to history many people still view my country in a negative light. The truth is, these days, Northern Ireland is a very different place to the land once blighted by more than 30 years of violent political conflict. While some of the old issues still remain a stubborn thorn in our side, we have turned a corner. A great deal of progress has been made towards creating a peaceful shared future for our people.
A Rich & Diverse Landscape Photography Location
I have lived in Northern Ireland for all of my life. As a keen amateur photographer, it has been a privilege to do so. We have a rich and diverse landscape. The North Antrim area has some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastlines anywhere in Europe. Just a mile inland from the coast is the stunning unspoilt Glens of Antrim with their green valleys and raging waterfalls. South Down has the rugged Mourne Mountains which overlook some great beaches and the Murlough Nature Reserve which are among the best landscape photography locations in Northern Ireland.
The Outstanding Beauty of Northern Ireland Landscape Photography
North Down has Strangford Lough, a sea lough of outstanding beauty and an enormous diversity and abundance of wildlife, full of curved sheltered inlets. Equally, County Fermanagh boasts the Upper and Lower Lough Erne Waterways which are studded with hundreds of accessible islands. Lough Neagh sits in the centre of Northern Ireland and is the largest inland Lough in the United Kingdom. Each of the six counties which make up the province has much to offer the landscape photographer with Northern Ireland landscape photography opportunities being some of the best that the United Kingdom has to offer.
Getting Around
Travel in Northern Ireland is unchallenging because the country is small and the road, rail and bus networks are good. A journey across the province takes little more than a 2 hour trip by road making a Northern Ireland landscape photography trip an accessible and convenient photography holiday option for any photographer.
"I am a retired 61-year-old, married with 3 children. I live on the east coast of Northern Ireland and my hobbies include portrait landscape photography, golf, gardening, music, boating and swimming. My present photography kit includes a Nikkor D800, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 lens, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, 3 Nikon Speedlights with pocket wizard triggers, various Lee ND filters and a Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod."
jim graham - jimgraham.squarespace.com
Image Details
Steps to the Sun
Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site on the North Antrim Coast. Taken shortly before sunrise on a bleak winter morning. This is a blended composite of 5 bracketed images taken at 1 stop apart. Nikon D300s Sigma 10-20mm with Lee 0.6ND filter at 12mm and f/8.
Portbraddan Glow
A view of the tiny village of Portbraddan from Whitepark Bay Strand on the North Antrim Coast. Taken shortly after sunrise on a bitterly cold December morning. Nikon D300s, Sigma 10-20mm with Lee 0.9ND filter at 14mm, f/11 and 1/30 sec.
Afterglow
Boa Island, Lower Lough Erne County Fermanagh just after an autumn sunset. Nikon D800, Nikkor 14-24mm with Lee 0.6ND filter at 20mm, f/22 and 10 secs.
Pan's Rock to Rathlin
A rocky outcrop on Ballycastle Beach on the North Antrim Coast. Rathlin Island is visible on the horizon. Taken immediately after a torrential downpour. Nikon D800, Nikkor 14-24mm with Lee 0.6ND filter at 24mm, f/11 and ½ sec.