Canon G1X
Gone Fishing
Just after the New Year I decided to pick up a second hand Canon G1x as part of a project that I have been undertaking for some time, this being to replace a missing part of my camera kit.
Since the end of the 1990’s I have owned Nikon digital slr’s, having dumped film cameras and moved to digital in about 1999.
For a long time I worked with a Contax G2 film camera and have not owned a compact system since, so the aim was to fill this gap. The purchase of this camera is I hope the start and finish of this aim for some time to come.
This morning I put the camera in a bag and along with my dog headed to a place called Boats strand, Co. Waterford, the following images are some of the results.
These images have Canon G1x filter effects applied in camera.
I will be posting the others soon.
As for the Camera well, yes I think it’s going to be everything I expected. I had read that the autofocus system was a little slow, however it’s not that bad for a contrast based system and I would much prefer correct than lighting fast.
I will keep posting my G1x impressions and images.
Nigel
Frozen in the irish landscape
It has been sometime since my last post on this site and too long for my own good.
My photography however has not stopped in any shape or form; I have been working with many customers on their weddings and family images and still building up my landscape work.
For many living in Ireland the last four years it has been a difficult time and none of it down to any personal issues. It’s very easy during the times we live in to be moved from the direction you should be pointing in and to go down another path altogether. For me I don’t think I went down any other path at all be just found that I was heading in the same direction but much more slowly than before. Frozen out by concern as to what direction we all have been heading in and also a little swamped by all the bad news we have been getting almost every day for about four years. Since the new year I haven’t listen to any news at all since I don’t see the advantage to me personally anymore. All I need to know is what I am doing to get back on track.
Then something came to me that has actually been under my nose all the time. I have been working for a customer for sometime who has a large collection of art work going back to the 1940’s. This collection is nationally very important and needed to be photographed in order to produce an archive.
The amount of work produced during the life time of this artist is amazing and must amount to two or three items per day for many years.
Through the life time of this collection of work, day in day out this artist kept on working, no guarantee that any of this work was going to sell and indeed most didn’t otherwise I would not have anything to photograph. He took no shortcuts and no easy route to go and had no cast iron guarantee it was going to result in anything at all.
What he didn’t do however was to allow himself to be become frozen, stuck and distracted by anything.
So I guess all we can do is join this example, cut out the bad news and get back on track and see where we are all heading.
Galways Church and Bridge, Killarney
Galways Church and Bridge,Killarney : Nigel Borrington
This images was taken Just below Galways Bridge, Killarney. A very wet morning but this only helped with the slow shutter speed I wanted in order to capture the motion of the rivers water, flowing down towards the upper of two lake’s found above the town of Killarney below.
Kilkenny photographer : Nigel Borrington
A view from Tory hill, Co Kilkenny
View of Co.Waterford from Tory Hill Co.Kilkenny : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny Photography by Kilkenny photographer, Nigel Borrington
Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal Craftsman at work : Nigel Borrington
Waterford Crystal.
Waterford Crystal Limited was, until March 2009, a subsidiary of Waterford Wedgwood plc, itself formed through the acquisition by the then Waterford Glass Group of the famous pottery manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood in 1986. The last chairman was Tony O’Reilly, and the CEO John Foley. The leading shareholders of the holding company were former billionaire O’Reilly and his family, joined in the last decade by O’Reilly’s brother-in-law, Greek shipping heir Peter Goulandris. Waterford Wedgwood was forced into receivership in early 2009. On 5 January 2009, news of the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood Ltd.
Jerpoint Glass
Jerpoint Glass studio, Co.Kilkenny : Nigel Borrington
Jerpoint Glass studio’s. Co Kilkenny
“Jerpoint Glass Studio is a true family business. Established in 1979 by Keith and Kathleen Leadbetter, together they have built Jerpoint into an internationally recognised name.
Keith initially trained in pottery, mould making and throwing on the wheel. He also worked in laboratory glassblowing in North Staffordshire, England.
In the late 1960s he attended the prestigious Orrefors Glass School in Sweden, where he received his formal training. After travelling extensively throughout Europe to develop his skills in hot glass Keith returned to Ireland. Kathleen is a self-taught artist who is passionate about aesthetics and design, with a natural flair for business. Together they started Jerpoint Glass Studio from the converted Dutch barn at their home in Co. Kilkenny.
Their skill and passion for glass has now been passed onto their four children, who are all actively involved in the business. The Leadbetter Family have been making handmade glass from their studio for thirty years. With the unique Jerpoint colour palette, Jerpoint will make a welcome addition to any home.
“We feel sure that the more you use your Jerpoint Glass the more you will love and appreciate the softness and durability of the hand-finished rim.” (Keith Leadbetter)”
Kilkenny photographer : Nigel Borrington www.studio63.ie / www.kilkennyphotography.com
New studio63 Gallery
New studio63 web site Gallery
I have just finish installing a new Gallery section on the studio63 web site:
Link as follows : Studio63 Gallery
Kilkenny photography
Coolagh fields, Co.kilkenny :Nigel Borrington
Taken at Kyle, Coolagh, Co.Kilkenny one early September morning while on a walk through some local fields.
Shot in black and white as I very much liked the tones being produced my this early foggy mornings light.
Kilkenny photographer : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny Landscape Photography
Clear water, Kings river, Callan Co.Kilkenny : Nigel Borrington
An image of a pool of clear water collecting in the Kings river, Callan, Co.Kilkenny
Kilkenny Photographer : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny Landscape photography
Kilkenny Woodlands 2012 : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny woodlands at sunset Feb 1st 2012.
Kilkenny Photographer, Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny photography
National Tree week 2012.
National Tree week Kilkenny : Nigel Borrington 2012
National Tree week this year is from the 4th to the 10th of March and I am currently making some plans to hold an exhibition of Woodland images during this week.
Kilkenny Woodlands exhibition : Nigel Borrington 2012
Kilkenny woodlands : Nigel Borrington 2012
About National Tree Week 2012
National Tree Week is an annual, week-long festival celebrating all positive aspects of trees in our lives and environment. It is organised by the Tree Council of Ireland.
National Tree Week takes place from 4-10 March 2012. The theme is ‘Trees – Our Past, Our Present, Our Future’. During National Tree Week, as well as prompting people to plant more trees, we are asking people to celebrate our remarkable heritage of trees and woodlands and to recognise the significance of trees and forests as a living link to our past, as an enjoyable, life-enhancing asset in the present, and as a wise investment in our future.
National tree week 2012
National Tree Week is an opportune chance for Tree Council member organisations, local authorities, tidy towns and community groups, schools, families and many others all over Ireland to do something positive for their local landscape. By setting up events for National Tree Week within your community or organisation, you can inspire people, young and old, to get out into the fresh air and together plant thousands of trees. It is great fun too – even on a wet blustery day, the thrill of going out and getting your hands dirty, something many of us don’t do often enough, is really rewarding and satisfying whether you are planting one tree or a hundred.
National tree week : Nigel Borrington
One of the main projects of National Tree Week 2012 is the distribution of over 15,000 trees, sponsored by Coillte, and distributed by local authorities throughout the country to local community groups and schools for planting during and around National Tree Week. If your school or community group would like to receive some of these trees for planting during National Tree Week, contact your local County or City Council.
National Tree week 2012 : Nigel Borrington
I will keep you updated
Nigel
Kilkenny Landscape Photography
Evening View from Tullghought, Co.Kilkenny
An images taken yesterday evening, the view from the viewing tower above Tullaghought, Co Kilkenny
Nikon D7000
Kilkenny landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny Photography
Christmas day, line of trees, Co.Kilkenny
A Christmas day post, I took this image on a morning walk during the week, so Happy Christmas day to all!
Nigel
Midwinter: The Birth of the Sun
Midwinter: The Birth of the Sun
Midwinter marks the shortest day of the year, and marks the darkest, coldest part of winter, when the sun appears to be at its weakest. The decline of the sun is often accompanied by careful vigils and the lighting of fires and candles to encourage the return of the sun’s strength.
Christmas, of course, predates European Christianity. Curiously, however, it shares a similar origin to later festivals, as it was quite deliberately instituted to compete with pagan solar nativities celebrated in Rome during the earliest years of Christianity. The first versions of the Christian observance of the birth of Christ were offered as an alternative celebration to the boisterous ruckus of the Saturnalia. Many of the customs we associate with Christmas in fact originated with the Saturnalia celebrations, and European Christians often shunned the holiday as a pagan remnant. The Celtic (and Norse) pagan contributions to the holiday include mistletoe and even Christmas trees.
Don Mescall
Portrait of Don Mescall, Nigel Borrington
I have just completed some portrait images for Kilkenny based singer songwriter : Don Mescall.
Working on location in Callan, Co Kilkenny this was a great shoot and I think we have some very good images.
The following text is from Dons own web pages:
Don Mescall –
In his native country of Ireland, the name of Co. Limerick’s Don Mescall is synonymous with acoustic music of the highest order and deepest emotional depths, playing sell out shows to audiences who know what they’re letting themselves in for and keep coming back for more. His singles, “Trouble Is” and “Left in L.A.”, from debut album “Innocent Run”, are A-list favourites on Irish radio stations, and as a regular on The Late Late Show, Pat Kenny’s radio show and Ireland AM-TV shows, Don continues to play live throughout Ireland and the UK.
In describing Mescall’s music, the press typically makes reference to the styles of classic artists such as Paul Simon, Jackson Browne or a laid-back Springsteen, whilst the fresher-faced draw somewhat clichéd parallels to hugely successful contemporary singer/songwriters, the likes of David Gray and fellow Irishman, Damien Rice.
Since releasing his debut album “Innocent Run” in 2006, Don’s reputation as a songwriter has sky-rocketed with his songs being snapped up by a diverse range of top pop, country, folk and even classical artists and reaching the top of the charts on international shores.
Just a few of the stars who have enjoyed hits with Mescall’s songs are Rascal Flatts (a band described as “bigger than U2 in America”), Boyzone, The Backstreet Boys, Canadian Idol winner Theo Thams, Canada’s No 1 male artist Garou, the hugely successful American Idol contestant, Clay Aiken, Woodstock’s legendary Richie Havens, multi platinum artist Ronan Keating, new Irish stars The High Kings, the new Celtic Woman star Lynn Hilary, US country star Neal McCoy and Irish artist Frances Black, to name just a few.
Don also has some new songs and videos I will post a link once they are fully released.
I will also post more about this shoot soon.
Nigel
Kilkenny photography
Ballymartin windfarm, Kilkenny.
BallyMartin windfarm, Mullinavatt, Co. Kilkenny.
Ballymartin Wind Farm is a Bord Gais development. “Wind Farm Civils” were contracted to carry out foundation construction works for 3 wind turbine generators.
Kilkenny Photographer : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny Landscape Photography
A frosty morning at Mullins Mill, Kells, Co.Kilkenny : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny based Photographer : Nigel Borrington
Samain, The Celtic new year.
The 1st of November, marks the start of the Celtic new year or Samain/Samhain.
The Celtic New year,
It was believed that this time of year marked a very spiritual time, the underworld became visible and the sides of the mounds were opened. A ritual was held on this night that marked rebirth of the gods and goddess, Ireland’s fires held a sacred flame and the years cycle was started a fresh.
Samain, The Celtic new year.
Kilkenny Photographer : Nigel Borrington
Croghaun Hill, Co Waterford
(Croghaun Hill) Waterford Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny based Landscape Photographer : Nigel Borrington
Kilkenny photography
Landscape Photography of Kilkenny, The Gate, Nigel Borrington
Solo Image, Taken at Windgap, Co Kilkenny.
Kilkenny Landscape photography by : Nigel Borrington
Nigel Borrington 
Playing even when no one is listening
This image was taken in the court yard of IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art), in Dublin last year. I don’t take enough street images these days although anything is back on the cards.
The image cannot get across just how good this musician was and how good the court yard was for him to play in.
A much bigger thing hit me about this moment however and that was the fact that he had only three people to listen to him in such a large space, it was a Tuesday afternoon in August 2012 at about 2:15pm.
Again in an effort to look for inspiration I think this was just one of those moments you come across that in the big picture of things can mean nothing and everything at the same time. If you want to pass this by then its very easy to do so, however if you get the moment you can see everything you need in it.
What I got from this moment was…
I think the times we are living through have left many people without anyone to listen or even stop and take note of what they are trying to offer. The arts have suffered very badly but it’s everywhere, small business, hotels, jobs, arts and well anything you care to add.
That’s still not what this moment outside IMMA was all about however; it was the fact that this musician had selected such a large open space to play in and was playing so well to only three people.
Just like yesterdays post and the artist I talked about, keeping playing and productive even when no one is buying, listening or taking note is actually what it’s all about. It’s how you still have something to offer when someone is listening again.
I hope that one year on he is now playing to many more but even if he isn’t yet I have a feeling that one day he will be!
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February 14, 2013 | Categories: Comment | Tags: Cityscape, Dublin, IMMA, Kilkenny photographer, Nigel Borrington, Street photography | 2 Comments