Hay Bales – Black and white
Hay Bales, coolagh, County Kilkenny
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Make Hay while the sun shines
This time of year in county kilkenny brings many great subject to take photographs of, Freshly cut fields of hay are most definitely one of them. June and July have been wonderful warm months and the farmers have been very lucky at last. This Time last year we had weeks of heavy rain and even floods.
I captured these Hay bales before they were rapped, early morning when the mist still sat on the fields, it lifted soon after but I feel it made for some great images.
Sunday evenings, time for some sunset thinking.
Fujifilm x100, 35mm lens, iso 100
Lower Lake of Killarney, County Kerry
Irish Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Sunday evenings are to myself the end of another week, they mark a time to clear your mind. To think about a new week and to define the end of the last, what-ever happened last week (good or bad) has gone.
It time for some ……..
Sunset Thinking
Do you ever watch the sunset
And just sit and think about things
Just you and the sky and darkness
Giving your thoughts some wings
Perhaps you’ve got some troubles
And don’t know what to do
Or you just plain need to get away
To spend a little time with you
Sunset beauty makes you feel as though
Your life has meaning after all
To see a sight so extraordinary
Makes you feel capable, strong and tall
It’s funny how flashes of color
Like a sunset or sunrise can inspire
It can calm your inner self a bit
It’s a scene you can never tire
The serenity gives you a chance
To put things in perspective
Life can be overwhelming at times
And a sunset can be reflective
So when the sky lights up next time
Let your gaze do some drinking
Soak up all the amazing sights
And do some sunset thinking!
Written by : Marilyn Lott
I walked through an ancient path, woodland poems
Fujifilm x100, 35mm focus length, iso 800
Kilkenny woodlands
Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
A woodland walk
I walked through ancient paths,
where hidden mysteries lay
beneath our feet
and a choir of birds sing out loud,
with jewels dancing in the air.
Scrunching feet walk along
the twisting paths which
zigzag their way through
tall giants. Giants who
stand next to us.
While stepping on the
bones of the past,
sweet smells turn orange to red.
The giants form a roof with windows.
Sheltering the emerald flowers that
dapple the green carpet.
Spider webs shimmer like silver silk
as they whisper their secrets.
I walked those ancient paths.
………………………
A Woodland Walk
I took a walk today,
where the trees like giants,
held up the sky.
The breeze tickled the leaves
Many people have walked
on these ancient paths,
Discovering hidden secrets,
Foxes hiding in the shadows,
birds calling from the tree tops.
I took a walk today
and passed a trickling stream,
Where leaves crunched underfoot.
Water ran over boulders,
as it tumbled down the bank.
In the dappled shade,
jewel like light hits the ground.
Flies hang in the air, dancing.
What a wonderful walk!
Its the weekend so….
Fujifilm X100, 35mm lens, iso 200
Glenbeg beach, Co.Cork
Landscape photography by Nigel Borrington
Its the weekend so why not find a beach for a morning walk then take in the views and watch the sunrise…..
Fujifilm X100, 35mm lens, iso 200
Glenbeg beach, Co.Cork
Landscape photography by Nigel Borrington
A sense of place – Disused quarry on the river Barrow
Fuji film X100, 35mm and 28mm lens , iso 100
Old quarry on the River Barrow, Co Kilkenny
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Some weeks back I first noticed the images of Sharon K and her blog Sunearthsky , Sharon’s second post was called urban sentries and I loved this image a lot, the locations of old disused factories and industrial sites I find a geat subject for photographic imagery.
Its taken sometime for me here in county Kilkenny, without going looking just for this subject matter to find a location that matches. About two weeks ago however I came across this old quarry along the banks of the river Barrow. Its of a large scale consisting of both the quarry area and the building used to crush the stone and store it, It looks like all the stone was used to make blocks or for use in concrete or on the roads.
The following images are a Gallery that I hope gets across a sense of this place and I hope Sharon likes them as Much as I liked hers.
Gallery images
Sunday afternoon walks, river Borrow, co.Kilkenny
Fuji film x100, iso 200
Swans on the River Barrow
Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Sunday afternoon walk along the river Borrow, Co Kilkenny and I came across this family of swans. It was just wonderful to spend sometime with them and get some photo’s along the way….
Its the weekend so……
Fuji X100, 28mm lens, iso 100
County Kerry coast-line ,
Irish Landscape photography:Nigel Borrington
It’s the weekend so if you can find a place with a view and lose yourself in it…..
Irish Boglands and Peatlands
Back In 2004 I attended an art exhibition held in our local friary hall. The exhibition titled Currents was being shown in many locations in the republic of Ireland and The North of Ireland during that year. I was taken by many of the artists ( I will come back to some of them in future posts) but for me one stood out above the others, this being Sam Mateer and his paintings of the Irish Bog-lands.
Over the last few years I have visited and photographed these areas of the country and aim to continue doing so.
Since the start of the year I have also been considering returning to some landscape painting and drawing, so what better subject areas can you find that these unique and magical places.
The set of images below are just some of the many photographs I have taken in order to start to get to grips of this project.
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
Mystery of a place – Castlemorris house and gardens
Fujifilm X100
The Green door
Irish landscape photography: Nigel Borrington
This old door and the stone shed it is attached to is all that remains of one of Ireland greatest ever country houses, The house had some 356 windows and belonged to the Montmorency family.
In its day in the mid-19th century, it was one of the finest (and largest) houses in Ireland at that time and compared well with Bessborough in Piltown.
Built around 1751 in the parish of Aghaviller, the Castlemorris estate was previously known as “Diore Lia” (a grey wood). Formerly home to the Morres and de Montmorency families, the family vault can still be seen in the local churchyard.
The churchyard also contains the remains of an ancient round tower. Built to protect the occupants and valuables of monastic settlements from Viking raids, these towers dot the Nore valley.
In 1924 the house was sold to the Land Commission. In the early 1930s it was unroofed and a demolition sale took place. Many parts of the house can be found in houses around the country.
The house itself was finally demolished in 1978. The grounds now merge with other Coillte woods, totalling approximately 2,000 acres in the district. Ms de Montmorency-Wright gave an excellent talk and should be complimented for her extensive research into her family and their association with Castlemorris.
Thank you
Fujifilm X100
Since I started posting on my Blog again at the start of February this year, I have received just over five thousand likes, over one thousand comments and 350 followings.
I just wanted to take the time to say thank you, so much to everyone.
You have all been so kind and lifted my spirits so much, I have also greatly enjoyed finding so many great artists on the word-press system. Wonderful art work and images from all around the world!!
THANK YOU !
This old red door – Goresbridge, Kilkenny
Fujifilm X100
KIlkenny photograher, Nigel Borrington
The old Mill at Goresbridge
When I was considering posting these images, I was wondering if I should show the setting of this old and wonderful red mill door. Its located on the site of on old mill sitting on the river Barrow as it runs through Goresbridge, county Kilkenny.
Sometimes just displaying something like a door just by itself can create a Mystery.
On this occasion, I will show the door in its location, I am however thinking of creating a series of images that do separate these kind of subject’s from their surroundings.
Fujifilm X100
KIlkenny photograher, Nigel Borrington
The old Mill at Goresbridge
Fujifilm X100
KIlkenny photograher, Nigel Borrington
The old Mill at Goresbridge
In ancient woodlands, bluebells and wild garlic grow
Fujifil X100
Kilkenny Ireland
Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
In Ancient Woodlands
We walked within an ancient wood
Beside the path
Where oak and beech and hazel stood,
Their leaves the pale shades of May.
By bole and bough, still black with rain,
The sunlight filtered where it would
Across a glowing, radiant stain—
We stood within a bluebell wood!
And stood and stood, both lost for words,
As all around the woodland rang
And echoed with the cries of birds
Who sang and sang …
My mind has marked that afternoon
To hoard against life’s stone and sling;
Should I go late, or I go soon,
The bluebells glow where wild garlic grows— the birds still sing.
Fujifilm X100
Kilkenny Ireland
Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Boarding the Titanic
Fujifilm X100
Titanic Museum, Cobh, County Cork
Irish Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
This small pier that now looks well past its best days, helped transport one hundred and twenty three passengers from the white star line booking hall at Cobh/queenstown county cork on to small ferry’s and then on to the HMS Titanic before she set sail to New York.
This is the list of Titanic Passenger boarding at queenstown (11 April 1912 a:10:30am d:13:40pm) on that day. While visiting the museum and Pier you cannot help but feel the moment when these people boarded their boats and looked back at the harbour of Queenstown as they headed towards the Titanic. At the time of course they were only looking forward to a new life or the great experiences that they had ahead of themselves.
We however cannot help but view these moments in a different light….
In the above passenger listing, If the passenger survived the events that followed they are listed in the boat number that they were found in, if they didn’t they are listed as a body or if they were not found they have no entry in the last two columns.
Fujifilm X100
Fishing Harbour, Cobh, County Cork
Irish Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Fujifilm X100
View of Cobh, County Cork
Irish Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Fujifilm X100
Titanic Museum, Cobh, County Cork
Irish Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Its the weekend So…
Why not find a remote place to visit…..
.
Watch the sun set…..
.
Stay and go for a walk in the moon light…
.
All images using a Fujifilm X100
Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Allihies (/ælˈæhiz/; Irish: Na hAilichí, meaning “the cliff fields”)[1] is a coastal parish (and townland) in the west of County Cork, Ireland.
Of woodland places
Fujifilm X100, 35mm lens, f4, iso 500
Irish woodland nature photography
Nigel Borrington
Sometimes its the most simple of things that interest me the most when out with my camera, yesterday evening for example, just taking time to stop and notice springtime in its hight …..
Fujifilm X100, 35mm lens, f4, iso 500
Irish woodland nature photography
Nigel Borrington
This is wild woodland sorrel I describe it here : woodland sorrel
The Lake (Edgar Allan Poe)…
Fujifilm X100
The Vee – Clogheen, Tipperary
Irish landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
The Lake
In spring of youth it was my lot
To haunt of the wide earth a spot
The which I could not love the less —
So lovely was the loneliness
Of a wild lake, with black rock bound,
And the tall pines that tower’d around.
But when the Night had thrown her pall
Upon that spot, as upon all,
And the mystic wind went by
Murmuring in melody —
Then — ah then I would awake
To the terror of the lone lake.
Yet that terror was not fright,
But a tremulous delight —
A feeling not the jewelled mine
Could teach or bribe me to define —
Nor Love — although the Love were thine.
Death was in that poisonous wave,
And in its gulf a fitting grave
For him who thence could solace bring
To his lone imagining —
Whose solitary soul could make
An Eden of that dim lake.
Edgar Allan Poe’s poem: The Lake
Sunday
Fujifilm X100
Hills above the Nire Valley
Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Sunday into Monday, the weekends fading light!
A Poem:
Dissolve
feelings fade
like the dull horizon
diminished by the sun
shades of orange
slowly turn dark
and bare themselves
like starlight
to the evening skyline
and the constant clamour of the countryside
decrescendos
into the babbling brook
and soft chirps of frogs
until once again
sleep comes
and a new morning
brings different light
Kassel D “and the constant clamour of the countryside”
Its the Weekend …..
FujiFilm X100
Glenbeg, Co.Cork
Landscape and Seascape photography : Nigel Borrington
Its the weekend so if you can find a beach, watch the waves roll in and relax….
Empty Old Houses.
Fuji Film X100
By : David Whalen
Empty old houses can talk…
But one must know how to listen…
to hear them
Empty old houses have stories…
But one must be eager to listen…
to hear them
Empty old houses can suffer..
But one must have empathy …
To feel it
Empty old houses can feel pain
But one must be able to bear it …
To feel it
Empty old houses have memories
But one must believe … that they have…
To share them
Empty old houses contain people’s lives
But one must believe…that they do…
To share them
Empty old houses can seem dead and deserted
But one must know that they’re not..
To know them
Empty old houses can teem with life’s pleasures
But one must walk through
to sense the aura of life
Empty old houses abound in life’s treasures
But one cannot help but…
To admire them
Kate Rusby
Fujifilm X100
I Courted A Sailor
I courted a sailor for six months and many,
I courted a sailor, now he’s far from me.
I courted a sailor for six months and many,
I courted a sailor, now he’s far from me.
On a fine summer’s evening he said his heart was grieving
On a fine summer’s evening these words he said to me
CHORUS
Oh I’m bound for the waves, the waves dearest Annie,
I’m bound for the waves, the waves upon the sea.
Oh I’m bound for the waves, the waves dearest Annie,
I’m bound for the waves, the captain calleth me.
CHORUS
Me heart has been yours now for six months and many,
Me heart has been yours now and will always remain.
Me heart has been yours now for six months and many,
Me heart has been yours now and will always remain.
Take with you me ring and me heart you’ll always bring,
Take with you me ring when you sail away to sea.
CHORUS
I’ll wait for me sailor for six months and many,
I’ll wait for me sailor till he comes home from sea.
I’ll wait for me sailor for six months and many,
I’ll wait for me sailor till he comes home from sea.
I’ll wait for you me dear, for time we’ll know no fear.
I’ll wait for you me dear till you come home from the sea.
CHORUS
I’ve married me sailor for six months and many,
I’ve married me sailor now he’s safe with me.
I’ve married me sailor for six months and many,
I’ve married me sailor no more he’ll say to me
You tube performance : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybRPZAqN7WA
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
Contax G2 electronic rangefinder camera
For many years I owned and enjoyed using a contax G2 film camera with three lenses and a flash unit. I trusted this camera completely and it helped me photograph many different subjects in many different locations.
However from about 1999 onwards I took to digital photography with a Nikon D1x then followed this with a Nikon D200 and on, my Contax G2 was still landing in my camera bag with some rolls of film but became less and less used. I was telling myself that black and white film was still better than converting digital images taken in colour. Digital sensors however have become better and better and it’s now almost impossible to tell the difference any more.
So last year I had to make a decision and the G2 got sold on ebay along with the lenses and flash, all getting a very good price. This however left a gap in my camera kit, the need for a light range-finder type camera.
A camera I could have as a backup to an SLR and that I could carry anywhere with me. After some reading and looking for what was available, I found that I had chosen just the right time to sell my old G2 as Fuji film a manufacturer I have long admired for both cameras and film had released their new X100 model. In the end I ordered an ex demo/reconditioned example from the fujifilm shop website at a good price along with a twelve month guarantee.
This article is my opinion (not a technical review) of this camera after having used it for some months.
Firstly let me say that from the moment I took this camera out of the box I fell in love with its looks and also its instant appeal to someone who owned more advanced slr and medium format cameras.
It has all the key features that a beginner and advanced photographer needs, no fussy dials or buttons with a thousand and one possible subjects from sunlight to hanging off a mountain upside down etc…
It’s just good old fashioned photography here,
An aperture dial on the lens going from f2 to f16
a shutter speed dial with speeds from B to 1/4000 of a second along with a T setting that when used with the lcd screen can select speeds down to 30 seconds.
Next to the shutter release and the shutter speed dial is exposure compensation dial that lets you make a shift in exposure from -2 to +2 in 1/3 stops.
These three are the grass roots of a good camera going back years and have been placed on professional (slr, rangefinder and medium format) cameras all this time. When you begin to know your subjects and how to photograph them these are all you will ever need.
One final point here and that’s that both the shutter speed dial and aperture dial include an A-automatic setting so that you can work in (Manual, Aperture priority, shutter priority and fully automatic) exposure modes. (If you’re not sure about these setting follow this link).
The fuji X100 viewfinder
Now you will read a lot of X100 reviews on the internet and the built in viewfinder has been talked about a lot and for good reason. It’s simply a little miracle, this for me is the single biggest reason that this camera is the best compact camera on the new and second hand market today.
You can look at lots of other reviews and articles to see samples of the view finder layout so I am not going to go into fine detail here but I have the following observations to make.
This view finder is wonderful as you can see all the exposure settings on a digital overlay. This is all the exposure and framing information you will ever need and it can be displayed both optically and when using the electronic view finder option.
I loved this finder and all the information that it provides but the real point about this to me is the eye sensor that lets you see exactly the same information you get on the rear LCD screen.
All you do is place your eye to the optical viewfinder and it instantly gives you the LCD screens view and information in full detail.
This is just simply wonderful, you can spend all day photographing any subject you like with this eye sensor option enabled, when using a tripod I found this just fantastic. This is what a great digital camera should be about.
I have spent a full day from dawn to dusk and never once felt that I didn’t know what the camera was doing from (f-stop, shutter speed, iso or even focus distance and depth of field) its all there in front of you even when you have the camera on a tripod.
The fuji x100 LCD screen itself is a little smaller that a pro level slr but it works in all situations and I never once felt that I could not see it even from extreme angles.
The X100 in your hands
I have owned a few digital cameras all slr’s since 1999 and I cannot explain just how much I love using the X100, you can read all the reviews you like about the X100 being slow to focus (Slow but correct is better that fast but out of focus), and about card write times. Many firmware upgrade have improved these problem so if you get a early X100 make sure you upgrade.
Actually none of this matters at all to me, it’s passed every test in my own book, it’s not only great to hold and to use, it also hit the mark on image quality and reliability time after time, day after day.
Fujifilm have just released an upgrade to the X100 the X100s but it will be sometime before I go out to get one because this version, the one I already have is wonderful and It will only be the day that Fujifilm say that a repair is too costly to justify, that I will get the new model.
The following are some images from this camera and I hope you can see why I am so happy with it!
Fuji X100 Samples
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100
A morning run out – Clonea strand, Co Waterford
Fuji X100 review, it’s coming soon.
My love of this little camera continues and I am working on a full review relating to my feelings of it from a photographers point of view. Its one of the most usable cameras I have ever owned.
I will post more very soon!
Nigel
Nigel Borrington 
Derriana lake – County Kerry
Derriana Lodge, County Kerry
Irish Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Derriana Lake, a home for two weeks
On the 31st of July I reached the fine age of 50 and along with friends and family we went to Kerry for two weeks. Staying in a self-catering lodge called Derriana lodge
I would very much like to say thank you to family and friends for making the time spent away just brilliant and also some of you noticed my birthday date from my face-book page, so I would like to say thank you for sending me Happy Birthday messages !
The lodge is just a wonderful place to stay as its located above Derriana Lake, county Kerry, the below images are just some that I took during the two week’s. You have already seen some of the others from my posts during the two weeks away.
I will post more !
Thank you to everyone again for such a great time !
Panoramic views of the Lodge and Lake
Image Gallery of the Lake
Share this:
August 13, 2013 | Categories: Comment, Landscape, Travel Locations | Tags: 50th birthday, Canon G1x, derriana lake, fujifilm X100, Irish photography, kerry, Landscape, Nigel Borrington, Thank you | 27 Comments