Capturing the world with Photography, Painting and Drawing

street photography

The last Train home before it gets dark, Berlin’s Stadtbahn, November 2018

Last train before it goes dark
Berlins Stadtbahn November 2018

I have spent many years now living in the Irish countryside , so I just loved being in Berlin! the train system is just amazing, you never have to wait more than ten minutes before the next train arrives 🙂 , you can get a weekly ticket and train hop all day.

The Berlin Stadtbahn was the most fun as it sits above the city streets and offers amazing views ….

History and details

The Berlin Stadtbahn (“city railway”) is a major railway thoroughfare in the German capital Berlin, which runs through Berlin from east to west. It connects the eastern district of Friedrichshain with Charlottenburg in the west via 11 intermediate stations including Hauptbahnhof. The Berlin Stadtbahn is often also defined as the slightly longer route between Ostkreuz and Westkreuz, although this is not technically correct.

Berlin’s Stadtbahn WIKI


Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Images without words …….

Memorial to the murdered jews of Europe
Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 in Berlin
Nigel Borrington 2018

Link : Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe


November in Berlin, Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz
Berlin
Nigel Borrington
November 2018

I have just returned from a weeks visit in Berlin in Germany, What a wonderful city full of life and history. It will take me a while to readjust to life back at home and to go through all the photos I took but I am in love with Germany and Berlin. The culture here is amazing and the history just fascinating, I fell that the entire experience was a study of European history from art to politics.

These two pictures were taken the very first night and show the business area of Potadamer Platz, around rush hour time.

There is a one hours difference between Berlin and Kilkenny and it was already getting dark around 4:30pm


Images from 2017, April – A weekend in Glasgow


3 Times and You Lose , Lyrics by Travis

Callan County Kilkenny 2

Callan county Kilkenny
Nigel Borrington

3 Times and You Lose

Travis

I had a nightmare
I lived in a little town
Where little dreams were broken
And words were seldom spoken
I tried to reach you
But all the lines were down
And so the rain began to fall
On this little town
… On this little town

The little people
Had very little left to say
Their words had all been shortened
It didn’t really seem important
And I had a feeling
That you were very far away
But then a little voice inside me said
“you’ll never get away from here”
And it’s 1, 2,
3 Times and you lose

Of course it doesn’t matter how you say it
I’m all out of luck
So there’s nothing really more to say
I’m throwing it all away
Well we had opinions
But now we all think the same
We never look at one another
Only when the other suffers
And I thought I saw you
But it…


Monday Poetry : Bicycle Beats By Christian Reid Oct 2014

Christian Reid Oct 2014
Bicycle Beats

Axels and chains and
Feet and brains
It’s the bicycle beats
And the trees and the streets
Join the lines in the sidewalk
As I ride and I talk
To myself,
“Breathe in,” &
“Breathe out,” —
Burning and churning to the
Grooves and the cracks
Red light’s the only chance to relax
Racing the bus and flashing a grin
To the sorry folks trapping themselves therein
Ecstasy building with each revolution
Wiping my sweat away, tasting pollution
Grinding and winding a path on my bike
Where cars and pedestrians hate me alike


One evening in Seville, Spain

seville-005-spain-2017-nigel-borrington

seville-010-spain-2017-nigel-borrington

seville-007-spain-2017-nigel-borrington

seville-008-spain-2017-nigel-borrington

seville-009-spain-2017-nigel-borrington

seville-011-spain-2017-nigel-borrington

seville-012-spain-2017-nigel-borrington


Le Balcony , By : Charles Baudelaire’s

Memories of Paris Nigel Borrington

Mother of Memories
Nigel Borrington

Le Balcony , By : Charles Baudelaire’s

Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses,
O you, all my pleasure, O you, all my duty!
You’ll remember the sweetness of our caresses,
The peace of the fireside, the charm of the evenings.
Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses!

The evenings lighted by the glow of the coals,
The evenings on the balcony, veiled with rose mist;
How soft your breast was to me! how kind was your heart!
We often said imperishable things,
The evenings lighted by the glow of the coals.

How splendid the sunsets are on warm evenings!
How deep space is! how potent is the heart!
In bending over you, queen of adored women,
I thought I breathed the perfume in your blood.
How splendid the sunsets are on warm evenings!

The night was growing dense like an encircling wall,
My eyes in the darkness felt the fire of your gaze
And I drank in your breath, O sweetness, O poison!
And your feet nestled soft in my brotherly hands.
The night was growing dense like an encircling wall.

I know the art of evoking happy moments,
And live again our past, my head laid on your knees,
For what’s the good of seeking your languid beauty
Elsewhere than in your dear body and gentle heart?
I know the art of evoking happy moments.

Those vows, those perfumes, those infinite kisses,
Will they be reborn from a gulf we may not sound,
As rejuvenated suns rise in the heavens
After being bathed in the depths of deep seas?
— O vows! O perfumes! O infinite kisses!


Three Moments on the Streets of Rome

Moments on the street Rome  Nigel Borrington

Moments on the street
Rome
Nigel Borrington

Street Photography Rome 2

Street Photography Rome 3


A sense of place : Trinity College, Dublin

Trinity Dublin 2

I just want to share in this post, a set of images taken at the end of May 2015 during a visit to Dublin including one of my favorite places to walk around and people watch, while having a coffee and some lunch to eat 🙂

Trinity College, Dublin

Trinity Dublin 1

Trinity Dublin 3

Trinity Dublin 6

Trinity Dublin 4

Trinity Dublin 5


Mornings and Coffee, Poem By : Gabryela Speaks

Morning Coffee Image : Nigel Borrington

Morning Coffee
Image : Nigel Borrington

Mornings and Coffee

By : Gabryela Speaks
Feb 2 2015

Cold mornings, warm coffee
The aroma comforts me
Pushing the freezing moment
of having to recall you.

You used to sit with me.
You would look into my eyes,
flash a beautiful smile
and I always wonder
what you see

But one day,
you stopped being you.


Poetry By Mary Oliver : The Journey

Lifes Journey Photography : Nigel Borrington

Lifes Journey, Callan, County Kilkenny
Photography : Nigel Borrington

The Journey

Poetry
By
Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.

The Journey bw

But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.


A sense of place : The streets of ancient Rome.

A sense of place, Old Rome. Photography : Nigel Borrington

A sense of place, The old city of Ancient Rome.
Photography : Nigel Borrington

Four images taken during a visit to the old city of Ancient Rome.

I was completely captivated by the old city of Rome, The scale of the temples and city building is just amazing.

As I walked around with a camera I wanted to capture as much as I could of the atmosphere, after I had a good look from the street level I took a higher view as I wanted to capture the many visitors as they themselves discovered this amazing place.

The Roman Empire

The old city of Rome

Old rome 2

Old rome 3

Old rome 4


Glengarriff, west Cork, Ireland : Gallery

Glengarriff, Beara Peninsula of County Cork, Ireland. Irish landscapes : Nigel Borrington

Glengarriff, Beara Peninsula of County Cork, Ireland.
Irish landscapes : Nigel Borrington

Glengarriff, Beara Peninsula of County Cork, Ireland.

These images where taken on a visit to the west Cork town of Glengarriff during September 2014.

To me the town is at the top of my personal list of best visits in Ireland, for its size it has plenty of places to eat and drink and some great little shops. The surrounding area is full of great places to visit with a wonderful coast line , Mountain walks and Historic parks and nature reserves.

The Town has an official web site here : Glengarriff

Glengarriff the town

Glengarriff (Irish: Gleann Garbh, meaning “Rough glen”) is a village of approximately 800 people on the N71 national secondary road in the Beara Peninsula of County Cork, Ireland. Known internationally as a tourism venue, it boasts many natural attractions. It sits at the northern head of Glengarriff Bay, a smaller enclave of Bantry Bay.

Located 20 km (~12 miles) west of Bantry, and 30 km (~18 miles) east of Castletownbere, it is a popular stop along the routes around the area. In recent years, its importance as a waypoint along the Castletownbere to Cork fish-delivery route has declined as local infrastructure improves.

Glengarriff : Gallery

Glengarriff 2

Glengarriff 3

Glengarriff 4

Glengarriff 5

Glengarriff 6


Peoples Art, Dublin 2014

Peoples art Dubin 1
Peoples Art, St, Stephens Green, Dublin
Dublin Street Photography : Nigel Borrington

About Peoples Art

At least once a year I try to visit the Peoples art exhibition and sale at St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin , this is a great day for an art lover as its one of the biggest open air art displays in Europe.

The images posted here are all taken on a very warm summers afternoon and I got lots of great images of the artists and their work along with getting to see some great painting and drawings from Landscapes to portraits.

Official information

People’s Art Dublin is a voluntary, part time, non profit making group, brought together by Dublin City Council to promote the visual arts to the public of Dublin. Each year after expenses are paid, donations are made to various charities.

The co-operation and assistance of Dublin City Council and The Office of Public Works ( OPW ) , which makes these events possible, is gratefully acknowledged by all the artists involved.

Any artist can apply to exhibit but there are some rules that apply, it costs each artist just €25.

Peoples art web site

Gallery

Peoples art Dubin 2

Peoples art Dubin 3

Peoples art Dubin 4

Peoples art Dubin 5


The Wonderful landscape and cities of Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia Today.

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 3
Stikovica village, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington

The Wonderful landscape and cities of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia.

Yesterday my posts related to some of the war damaged and effected areas within the now independent states of Bosnia and Herzegovina along with Croatia.

In today’s post I just want to share some images that I feel show just how wonderful these nations are today, these include images from the city of Dubrovnik and the landscape of the Dalmatia coast line.

This is a wonderful part of the world with many great places and welcoming people, if you ever get the chance I would highly recommend a holiday here as you will always look back with fond memories.

Gallery

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 1

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 2

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 4

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 5

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 6

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 7

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 8

dubrovnik rooftops 5

dubrovnik rooftops 4

dubrovnik rooftops 7

dubrovnik rooftops 8

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 9

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 10

Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina 11


Life between the Storms .

After the Storms 2

Life between the Storms

Today here in Ireland we are experiencing our eighth storm in eight weeks, with winds up to 160 kmph, the rivers are still flooded and we are are due two more storms before the weekend.

Yet life goes on, I took these two images of people going about their lives one getting his new paper and the other walking his dog.

As always life goes on but when its raining and the weather is very bad the doors get shut the fire is set, the newspaper is read and the dog is in his basket….

After the Storms 1


Forgotten Old Doors

The Red door
The old red door.
Fujifilm x100
Irish landscape photography : Nigel Borrington

Poem : Forgotten Old Doors

Old building on the Street some think it’s beautiful, others, just drab.

Many tread these thresholds, worn like tattered lace.

old address update in a compelling space.

Green’s a fitting color for a door, so is white.

A wisp of green in the morning light.

Kernels of romance in dilapidation, hint at the intent of this creation.

How many souls passed through this door? Closed for good or will there be more?

Memories of work, hope and laughter, dreams and wishes that bathed the rafters.

Evocative of a simpler time.

Speedy technologies permeate mine.

A rusty spigot, red weathered board. How long has this old place been ignored?

Cooler dressed in rust, corrugated tin, small dab of spring vegetation sneaks in.

And at the end of yesterday, memories within.


Evening Images from the , Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome

Views from the Via Dei Fori Imperial Rome 5
Evening on the Via Dei Fori Imperiali, Rome
Photography by : Nigel Borrington

These images are taken on an evening walk into the city of Rome along the Via Dei Fori Imperiali.

The lights had just been turned on and the day light was just finally fading, I love the mixed light so just had to get these images.

Gallery

Views from the Via Dei Fori Imperial Rome 1

Views from the Via Dei Fori Imperial Rome 2

Views from the Via Dei Fori Imperial Rome 3

Views from the Via Dei Fori Imperial Rome 4

Views from the Via Dei Fori Imperial Rome 5


Leenane

Leenane county Mayo 3
Leenane, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland
Irish Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington

The town of Leenane, Connemara, County Galway

The beautiful village of Leenane, snugly situated at the head of Killary Harbour, is often aptly described as the ‘Gateway to Connemara’. The roads from Maam, Clifden, and Westport meet at this point. Killary Harbour extends ten miles inland and with the mountains rising steeply on either side provides what is probably the best scenery in Ireland. Walkers have access to Mweelrea, Sheefry, Paltry and Maumturk Mountains.

Leenane with its surrounds is a haven for geologists due to a great variety of sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rocks. There is good fishing in the local Erriff and Delphi rivers. Well known beauty spots include Aasleagh Falls and Doolough Valley, scene of the tragic famine walk. A film adaptation of John B. Keane’s famous play “The Field”, directed by Jim Sherdian, was made in Leenane in 1989. Well-known stars taking part included the late Richard Harris, John Hurt and Tom Berrenger. Visitors can visit many of the locations used as sets in the film.

Gallery

Leenane county Mayo 1

Leenane county Mayo 8

Leenane county Mayo 2

Leenane county Mayo 4

Leenane county Mayo 5

Leenane county Mayo 6

Leenane county Mayo 7

Leenane county Mayo 3


Christmas shopping in Rome

Shopping at Via Condotti  rome in the rain
Christmas shopping in Rome
Street Photography : Nigel Borrington

Two shopping days to Christmas day and traditionally these are the busiest shopping days of the year, a little time back this very weekend just pasted I was in Room with my brother for a long weekend.

As you can see from the images below the streets were very busy and the town was flooded with Christmas shoppers from all over the world.

Rome at Christmas, Black and white Gallery

Via Dei condotti, Rome, in the rain : Nigel Borrington

Christmas Shopping in Rome 1

Christmas Shopping in Rome 2

Christmas Shopping in Rome 3

Christmas Shopping in Rome 4

Christmas Shopping in Rome 5

Christmas Shopping in Rome 6


Typhoon Haiyan, Meeting of Filipino people living in Kilkenny.

Typhoon Haiyan meeting in Kilkenny 1
Fujifilm X100
Filipino people in county Kilkenny.
Typhoon Haiyan, A group Meeting

Typhoon Haiyan, Meeting of Filipino people living in Kilkenny. ( Sunday 17th Nov 2013)

Photographs taken during a meeting of Filipino people living in Kilkenny, to raise awareness for the effect of Typhoon Haiyan, on their home lands.

Typhoon Haiyan meeting in Kilkenny 3

Typhoon Haiyan meeting in Kilkenny 2


Callan, Autumn and Winter

Friary Green Callan
All images using a Nikon D300
Images of Autumn and Winter in Callan, County Kilkenny
Irish landscape photography : Nigel Borrington

Callan, Autumn and Winter

The weather here has changed, it’s colder and wetter and starting to feel a little more like autumn.

Winter is just around the corner so I have put together this set of images, they show Callan as it can be in the winter months.

Callan a sense of place : Autumn and Winter

Friary Green Callan 2

Gates to St Marys Callan

The Cross in the rain Callan

Kings river Callan

Green street Callan

Snow on callans fair green

Snow on callans hurling pitch


Via Condotti, Rome – Getting out of the rain

Shopping at Via Condotti  rome in the rain
Via Condotti, rome – Shopping in the rain
Street photography : Nigel Borrington

This is one of my most memorable camera moments, captured while shopping on the Via Condotti, Rome. The heavens opened and almost everyone headed towards the shops, as fast as they could. So many in fact that queue’s formed outside each one.

I spent as much time as possible just taking images of this moment.