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
Drift wood on drift wood beach
Two images from driftwood beach
Nikon D700, 18-200mm lens, iso 400
Driftwood beach, north Wales, UK
Landscape Photography by : Nigel Borrington
Nikon D700, 18-200mm lens, iso 400
Driftwood beach, north Wales, UK
Landscape Photography by : Nigel Borrington
Finding Samuel Richard Grubb
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm lens, iso 200
Monument to Samual Richard Grub, Sugarloaf Hill, Knockmealdown Mountains, Co Tipperary
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
If you visit (Sugerloaf hill, Knickmealdowns, Co Tipperary) you will come across the Sanuel Richard Grubb monument, the monument was constructed in 1921 as a tribute to this man.
So who was this man and why even today does both the monument and his grave below it, sit looking out from the Knockmealdowns, county Tipperary.
The only records I can find are as follows:
Samuel Richard Grubb
M, #619382, b. 26 September 1855, d. 22 September 1921
Last Edited=1 Feb 2013
Consanguinity Index=6.64%
Samuel Richard Grubb was born on 26 September 1855.1 He was the son of Richard Davis Grubb and Margaret Butler Grubbe.2 He married Alice Hannah Binney, daughter of Edward William Binney, on 8 July 1885.1 He died on 22 September 1921 at age 65.1
He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.).1 He held the office of High Sheriff in 1914.1 He lived at Castle Grace, County Tipperary, Ireland.1
Children of Samuel Richard Grubb and Alice Hannah Binney
Richard Raymond De Cruce Grubb+2 b. 11 Jun 1886, d. 28 Dec 1970
Joan Mary Grubb+2 b. 30 Jul 1889, d. 2 Feb 1968
Citations
[S47] Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, editor, Burke’s Irish Family Records (London, U.K.: Burkes Peerage Ltd, 1976), page 527. Hereinafter cited as Burke’s Irish Family Records.
[S47] Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, Burke’s Irish Family Records.
A justice of the peace in Ireland
Justices of the Peace existed in Ireland prior to 1922, sitting in a bench under the supervision of resident magistrates at Petty Sessions to try minor offences summarily, and with a County Court Judge (in his capacity of Chairman of Quarter Sessions) and jury to try more serious offences at Quarter Sessions. In the Irish Free State the position was effectively abolished by the District Justices (Temporary Provisions) Act 1923[11] and permanently abolished by the Courts of Justice Act 1924. Their judicial powers were replaced by full-time, legally qualified District Justices (now called District Judges) and their quasi judicial powers by lay Peace Commissioners. Peace Commissioners may sign statutory declarations and affidavits, and may issue search warrants to the Garda Síochána (Irish police).[12]
As with many of the tourist attractions around Clogheen, such as Bay Lough Shanrahan and The Vee, a visit to Samuel Grubb’s Grave, and the wonderful views across the Vee Valley. It is a wonderful area for a day trip.
According to Samuel’s descendant, Nicholas, the burial took place on the Sugar Loaf partly because it was requested by the deceased. This request, however, was largely because the family had been removed from the Society of Friends (better known as the Quakers) in 1844 (11 years before Samuel was born) for engaging in ‘amusements or entertainments of a hurtful or injurious tendency’, more specifically for attending ‘Balls at which music and dancing form a chief part’ and which were forbidden by the rules of the Society.
I cannot find on-line any death records to indicate how he died, I will keep looking ….
Gallery on the Monument and its views
Trees on the river bank
Sigma SD15, 18-50mm lens, iso 50
Trees moving in the river breeze, River Barrow, Co Kilkenny
Landscape photography by : Nigel Borrington
Walking along a river bank at this time of year offers many great views but one of the most powerful for myself is the sight of a bank of tall and majestic trees in full leaf and at the hight of their summer growth.
I took these two image in black and white because I was more interested in the different tones, levels of brightness that they offered sitting in the midday sun.
Sigma SD15, 18-50mm lens, iso 50
Trees moving in the river breeze, River Barrow, Co Kilkenny
Landscape photography by : Nigel Borrington
Flowers along the river bank
Sigma SD15, 18-50mm lens, iso 50
Flowers along the river bank, River Barrow, Co Kilkenny
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Sigma SD15, 18-50mm lens, iso 50
Flowers along the river bank, River Barrow, Co Kilkenny
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Images from a dog show
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm Vr2 lens
Kilkenny dog show
Nigel Borrington
Each year we have a local dog show and for me its one of the best events held local.
I just love watching the dog as they show off their abilities, through different stages of the afternoon, here are just some images that I wanted to share.
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm Vr2 lens
Kilkenny dog show
Nigel Borrington
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm Vr2 lens
Kilkenny dog show
Nigel Borrington
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm Vr2 lens
Kilkenny dog show
Nigel Borrington
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm Vr2 lens
Kilkenny dog show
Nigel Borrington
Mid-summers day 2013
Fuji film x100
Sunrise over kilkenny
Midsummer’s day 2013
Midsummer’s Eve/Litha/Feill-Sheathain/Alban Hefin/Gwyn Canol Haf
The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year falling circa June 22 when the Sun enters Cancer (this year 20 June 2012 19:09 EDT). This is the time of celebrating the Earth’s bounty. The God is vibrant and at the peak of his power and the Goddess is fertile and pregnant. This reflects in our fertile gardens, brimming with life and and the fruits of our labor. The Sun is bright and strong. Animals in nature have established families they are showing off to the world. Midsummer is a celebration of the Earth and all she provides for us, also known as Litha after an ancient European fertility Goddess. This is also time sacred for the Fae and is one of the days one can see the them (keep a sprig of rue in your pocket so they don’t lead you away!!)…This is the time when the Oak King and Holly King battle for supremacy again, Holly King emerges triumphant this time around, they meet again at the Winter Solstice when the Oak King shall prevail.
Activities:
Midsummer is a good time to see the Fae folk; skip through your garden ensures fertility (not necessarily your own fertility) for the season; renew your vows/affirmations/bond with the God/Goddess; Stay up the entire night (old custom); harvest your herbs and other light garden work (weeding, etc.); have a bonfire (if you are oh, so lucky to have the place & clearance to do so!!); If you practice sex magic today is a powerful day to do so; ideas for family: spend a day at the beach, go birdwatching (be sure to bring a bird guide!), gather flowers and make Midsummer crowns or garlands for you hair and/or altar.
Incense: Wisteria, Rose, Mints
Decor: Suns, green plants, flowers, early garden bounty, herbs, bees, butterflies, birds, dragonflies,etc.
Herbs/Flowers: St. John’s Wort, Fennel, Vervain, Trefoil, Mugwort, Lavender, Rose, Fern, Daisy, Elder, Honeysuckle, Oak, Chamomile
Colors: Red, Yellow, Gold (represents the Sun God), various shades of green
Stones: Jade, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli=psychic awareness & fertility of mind & body (for more info on lapis visit http://www.earthbow.com/crystals/lapis.htm) ,diamonds
Knockroe, County Kilkenny
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Each midsummers there is a meeting at knockroe passage grave, Co Kilkenny to mark the rising and setting of the mid summers sun.
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We welcome in Mid summers day !
Water lilies, on the river Barrow
Nikon D7000, 105mm focus length, iso100
Water lilies on the river Barrow, co.Kilkenny
Irish landscape photography: Nigel Borrington
Walking along the river Barrow in Co.Kilkenny I came across this small collection of water Lilies and took some shots. I also noticed that last years leafs still sat underneath the water only now being replaced by this years new growth.
By the lake, a poem
Sigma SD15, 18-50mm lens, iso 50
Irish landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
By the lake : By Jon Coe
I watched the ripples, as I drifted away
the lake was deep, on this golden day
Lured by reflection, in this tranquil deep
I lost my mind, then I fell asleep
Trees were talking, murmured rustling leaves
sunlight glistened, on catkin weaves
Dragonflies, and fish that spawn
could not awake me, from this dawn
.
I floated far and I drifted near
there was no time, as was not fear
Taken away, on this autumn noon
stars were shining, behind the moon
When crickets struck their evening call
the bullfrog chirped, his sombre all
And as the sunset shone, upon this land
the moon took me quietly, by the hand
I stretched and weeped, the night, it fell
I returned my spirit, to this inspired shell
The lake, my friend, shall always be
my place of relaxation, next to, and within me
The last Primrose of spring
Fujifilm X100, iso200
The last primrose of spring
Irish landscape photography by,
Kilkenny based photographer : Nigel Borrington
On an early morning walk along our local river bank, I noticed these fading Primrose’s. Spring was very late this year and as a result all the spring time flowers have lasted a long time. The primrose is always the first out but even now they are fading.
I think its made for some wonderful images so here they are, the last primroses of this year.
The last primrose of spring
Irish landscape photography by,
Kilkenny based photographer : Nigel Borrington
The last primrose of spring
Irish landscape photography by,
Kilkenny based photographer : Nigel Borrington
The last primrose of spring
Irish landscape photography by,
Kilkenny based photographer : Nigel Borrington
The last primrose of spring
Irish landscape photography by,
Kilkenny based photographer : Nigel Borrington
The last primrose of spring
Irish landscape photography by,
Kilkenny based photographer : Nigel Borrington
Image from the Waterford coast.
Sigma SD15, 18-50mm lens,iso 50
Waterford coastline, June 2013
Irish landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Last evening I went for a drive and stopping the car, I walked along the Waterford coastline. At some point I sat down and looked at the views. Just taking some time to really look!, we spend most of our life’s thinking and talking, watching tv and living other peoples life’s not our own.
Maybe! we should find a space, a space for our own life’s, a space in which we can grow something called “a mind of our own….”, this isn’t a sin! to give yourself time, to be individual.
So then, a Poem
Cool sea laps against the rocks,
following the sands of time,
Sometimes the sea seems suspended like a clear mirror reflecting peace
and sometimes the sea rages, undeniable in it’s quest to never cease.
People can gaze upon it and think they have found a reason to exist,
others gaze and see themselves and begin a peace with tomorrow.
But only the waters of the sea’s stay
yet the tides come and go and seem to show time drifting away.
One picture is not enough nor will any amount,
as the sea is all of them and none of them, calm and smooth or angry and rough.
It keeps the wheels of the world turning more than a single life,
as it will always be their giving life and gaining the respect it always should.
Time and space ….
Security – A Poem by : William Stafford
Nikon D700, 200mm focus length, iso 200
The Island off Ballymacoda, county cork, Ireland
Irish Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Security
Tomorrow will have an island. Before night
I always find it. Then on to the next island.
These places hidden in the day separate
and come forward if you beckon.
But you have to know they are there before they exist.
Some time there will be a tomorrow without any island.
So far, I haven’t let that happen, but after
I’m gone others may become faithless and careless.
Before them will tumble the wide unbroken sea,
and without any hope they will stare at the horizon.
So to you, Friend, I confide my secret:
to be a discoverer you hold close whatever
you find, and after a while you decide
what it is. Then, secure in where you have been,
you turn to the open sea and let go.
William Stafford
Merge – (a poem by : Kadambari Kashyap)
Sigma Sd15, 18-50 f2.8 lens, iso 50
Spirit of place, public sculpture, County Kilkenny
Photography by : Nigel Borrington
Poem By : Kadambari Kashyap.
When our spirits merge…
I or You won’t be there anymore,
But us.
There won’t be anyone talking,
Rather our souls would sing in
Ecstatic harmony.
In a language unknown.
When our spirits merge
There will be nothing left
But we will burn
As the sun and stars do every moment.
When our spirits merge
All things will come to an end
But to start again.
In a new form
In a new desire…
And as we make way for something new
In our sweet surrender
To each other
we will be healed
healed of the entire past
of me, you and the rest…
In that surrender, something
Will be on fire, death will inevitably
Consume it.
And soon after that
Divine creativity will bloom out
When our spirits will burn and merge.
Day of the – Rhododendrons
The Vee – County Tipperary
The Vee in county Tipperary is one of Ireland most visited landscape locations. ‘The Vee’ refers to a V-shaped valley in the Knockmealdown mountains. Formed in the ice age the Vee itself is on the Sugar Loaf mountain , and forms a pass from Tipperary to Waterford between Knockaunabulloga (on which you will find Bay Lough) and the Sugar Loaf mountain.
The Vee is predominantly famous because of the breathtaking panoramic views afforded to travellers and sight seers going through the pass. The journey rises to about 2,000 feet (610m) above sea level above Bay Lough, and as it does so it gives wonderful views of a portion of the ‘Golden Vale’ between the Knockmealdown and Galtee Mountain Ranges.
On a clear day (or night) the Vee affords views along and across the valley to Clonmel, Cahir, Ardfinnan, Clogheen, Ballyporeen and even Cashel. You can also see the Galtee Mountains across the valley, the Comeragh Mountains along the valley and Slievenamon, behind Clonmel, quite clearly.
Each June however the entire area is covered in the bright pinks of Rhododendron flowers, I visited the area on Saturday just to photograph this event taking place, in the wild this plant is incredibly invasive and as you can see from these images has become the overwhelming feature the the entire area.
Rhododendron ponticum, in Ireland
This web site decribes Rhododendrons as an invasive species and for good reason.
Habitat: Mixed deciduous forest. Temperate heaths. Raised and blanket bogs.
Description: This species was first introduced to parks, gardens, and demesnes in Britain and Ireland in the 1700’s. Rhododendron ponticum is readily recognised by its distinctive attractive flowers and large dark green coloured, oval leaves. It can grow quite tall with specimens regularly attaining 8 m.
Origin and Distribution: The species is native to both Europe and Asia. It is believed that the current populations of Rhododendron in Ireland have been introduced from material taken from both the Iberian Peninsula populations and the Asian populations of this species. Rhododendron has a complex history.
Impacts: Rhododendron can from very dense thickets and out-compete native plants for space and resources, especially for sunlight. Other impacts on fish and invertebrate communities have been recorded. Rhododendron can also prevent access to sites by the shear mass of plant material blocking paths and right of way.
How did it get here? Natural dispersal by seed and vegetative means and planted by people.
Where is it found in Ireland? Planted in gardens, parks and demesnes.
Prevent Spread
Import only clean soil from known source
Ensure all vehicles and equipment are cleaned to avoid cross contamination.
Be aware of the threat of colonisation from upstream areas washing Japanese knotweed material downstream.
Promote native species and biodiversity – use alternative, native plants
Know what you are buying/growing and source native Irish seed and plants
Do not swap plants and cuttings
Clean plants before adding to ponds (dispose of water away from water courses)
Never collect plants from the wild
Safe disposal of plant material and growing media
In the aerial photograph above, the Rhododendrons show as the lighter green area in the middle of the image and rise the full hight of the mountain on the left of Bay Lough and follow the flow of the river that flows from the lough down the valley and into the woods below.
From a personal stand point, each June it is a wonderful site to see, many Tourists visit the area during this period just to take in the views it offers, however it is a little overwhelming to witness the extent this plant has taken over the mountains in this part of county Tipperary. When you take into account that it was only introduced in the 1700’s as a decorative plant into a local garden in the valley below.
Image Gallery
All images taken using a Nikon D7000
Irish landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
The Vee, County Tipperary
This old green country lane (Poem) – Knockmealdowns
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm lens, iso200
Green lane in the Knockmealdowns
Irish landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Only the Country Lane Will Weep
by adgray
I wander down the country lane
my old dog by my side
and I whistle merrily a tune
of how the view is wide
There are no hedgerows to crowd me in
or branches to block the sky
they’d have to use machinery
to bury me when I die
So don’t bother breaking your backs for me
I’d rather blow around with ease
just add what little goodness left
across the land upon the breeze
For this is where my heart is
this is my back yard
I’ve roamed it all my adult life
to leave it would be hard
No city house and airs for me
my graces rough and ready made
So lay me not in a neat little row
let my spirit fly and fade
I hitch my swag a little easier
and hunker to scratch his head
the billy boils as I wait with him
and then we both to bed
The stars sing lullaby’s to us
the wind sweeps us softly as we sleep
No debts no bills to leave behind
only the country lane will weep
Its the weekend so……
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm vr II lens, iso 200
River Barrow walks, Co Kilkenny
Irish Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Its the weekend so why not find a river bank and go for a walk, relax and take in the views…….
Nikon D7000, 18-200mm vr II lens, iso 200
River Barrow walks, Co Kilkenny
Irish Landscape photography : Nigel Borrington
Red damselfly, on the banks of the river Barrow, co.Kilkenny
Nikon D7000, 85mm Focus length, iso 200
red damselfly resting, Banks of the River Barrow, Co.Kilkenny
Irish nature Photography by : Nigel Borrington
Walking along a river bank at this time of year you should always have your camera with you, all kinds of insects are out and about. Just brushing past the long grasses brings up the Dragon fly and the damselfly, you have to move very slowly to get them but it’s well worth the effort.
I managed to get this shot along with some others, I will post more of them over the next few day or so.
Flowers on the river bank
Nikon D7000, 85mm focus length, iso 200
Flowers on the banks of the River Barrow, Co.Kilkenny
Kilkenny photography, Nigel Borrington
I took this image yesterday, while walking along the banks of the river Barrow here in County Kilkenny. There had been a shower just before I got out of the car but the weather and the temperature afterwards was like a head wave for Ireland !
Summer Holidays
Its Summer time and a lot of peoples minds are turning towards holidays.
Just in case its still a few weeks away I am posting some images I took in Spain on holiday last year. I hope they help transport your mind to warm and relaxing days off!
The giants causeway
Geology and Myth
It was on a very wet October morning that we arrived at the giants causeway, its located just outside of the town of Bushmills, county Antrim, on the north Irish coast.
Its a national trust site so you have to pay a fee to get in to the area. Its a small walk from the visitors center to the causeway itself but its well worth it.
This is both a magical and mythical location and one of the worlds most geologically fascinating places.
I took the following images on the day and even though it was very wet and dull I think they get across the feeling you have when your walking around this site. I have added some information as the the geology and the myth’s associated with this truly wonderful place.
The Geology of the causeway
Giant’s Causeway, ( Irish: Clochán an Aifir) promontory of basalt columns along 4 miles (6 km) of the northern coast of Northern Ireland. It lies on the edge of the Antrim plateau between Causeway Head and Benbane Head, some 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Derry. There are approximately 40,000 of these stone pillars, each typically with five to seven irregular sides, jutting out of the cliff faces as if they were steps creeping into the sea.
Formed 50 to 60 million years ago, during the Paleogene Period, the Giant’s Causeway resulted from successive flows of lava inching toward the coast and cooling when they contacted the sea. Layers of basalt formed columns, and the pressure between these columns sculpted them into polygonal shapes that vary from 15 to 20 inches (38 to 51 cm) in diameter and measure up to 82 feet (25 metres) in height. They are arrayed along cliffs averaging some 330 feet (100 metres) in elevation.
Myths behind the magic
Thanks to Kirribilli for this re-telling:
Long, long ago there lived a mighty warrior who was known across the length and breadth of Erin for his strength and bravery, no man on the island was his match and apart from repelling the hoards and the armies that attempted to invade our green land, being the best can be a bit boring and Fionn mac Cumhaill needed a challenge, he needed to prove to himself that he was the greatest warrior both on and off the island.
At that time the scourge of Scotland was a giant called Benandonner and on hearing tales of this beast of a man, Fionn knew that if he could beat this giant, his name would be known the world over. He made his way up to the Ulster coast, shouted across the water at Benandonner and challenged him to a fight.
Now normal people would take a boat and sail across the sea but not these two, they set upon ripping huge rocks out of the ground and throwing them into the sea separating Ireland from Scotland until after hours and days of back-breaking work there stretched a rocky causeway linking the two lands.
They’d agreed to fight between their two lands and seeing that bridge was complete, they made their way across the land bridge. As they approached each other it became apparent how big Benandonner really was, this wasn’t just a big man, this was a true giant.
Now Fionn was not a small man himself but the sheer size of the Scottish giant scared him, suddenly a fight with a monster like that wasn’t as appealing…
So he ran.
But not too far, once he was out of Benandonner’s sight he disguised himself as a baby, which was somewhat apt as he always had his best ideas when he sucked his thumb.
When Benandonner found the baby he asked it who its father was, he was told the baby was Fionn mac Cumhaill’s. When he heard this and saw the size of the baby, he imagined how big the father would be, he would be gigantic, he wouldn’t stand a chance, so he ran.
He ran back to the land of the Scots and on his way back he made sure to destroy the bridge, lest Fionn ever come looking for him…
Gallery
Sunset on the River
Sunset on the River
Jan Weeratunga, South Africa
Reds, pinks, oranges and gold’s catch the edge of the clouds and slowly turn the evening sky into a canvas waiting to be painted.
The sun’s last ray’s bounce off the cloud’s lining as it sinks gradually beyond the horizon.
Playfully the rays dance off the shimmering surface of the river,
Another fish jumps from the water,
Sending a concertina of ripples to the riverbank’s shoreline.
Golden waves approach as the setting sun sinks slowly below the horizon,
And small waves lap the side of our boat in an unending regular rhythm.
The repetitive knocking of the fender against the hull takes on the beat of the river,
Tapping the boat and shoreline alike,
It’s constant rhythm disturbed only by the wake of a passing boat or water bird landing on its surface.
Crickets join in with their own percussion as the melody is taken up by the surrounding birdlife,
Each chorus, their evening song as they head along the river bank in search of their nights roost.
Insects buzz over the surface, darting this way and that,
As swallows swoop swiftly, snapping them up in their gaping beaks.
Against the Western horizon a kingfisher dives into calmer waters bathed in a glorious warm orange light.
To the East the night’s first star is born,
It shimmers and shivers into life,
Just as the river serenely falls to sleep.
Peace is coming to the river as the ‘time between times’ –
That suspended few minutes of sunset –
Links all things in this world in a glorious golden moment before darkness descends.
Gradually the river slips into sleep
And the moon begins to rise and perform her dance across the waters glassy surface;
Replacing her brothers golden rays with her own silver ones.
Silver shimmering light bathes all beneath it,
Only disturbed by an occasional fish breaking free of its watery surrounds,
To be touched and blessed by the moonlight,
Before diving back down to the river bed.
The moon arches across the night sky,
Playing with the stars,
Until her brothers warming rays tell her it is once again time to allow the miracle of night and day to exchange places.
.
At first only a thin glowing red streak spreads along the tree line,
But quickly the shades of red are replaced by orange and then yellow,
And as the sun wakes from its nights slumber,
Dawn summons us from sleep,
And the tempo of waves against the boats hull increase with the blaze of activity that is engulfing the river,
And the throbbing beat signals a new day is beginning.
A car boot sale camera – sigma dp1
I found this little camera at the kilkenny car boot sale a couple of weekends ago, it just looked up at me from one of the tables and had a price tag of €50 with the Voigtlander viewfinder.
Its the original 2009 sigma DP1 , (follow the link for details). The stall it was on was a charity stall collecting for Africa so I felt I just had to put my hand in my pockets and hand over the €50.
I had always wanted to try out one of these little cameras but when new they cost a good €800, the reviews never put it in great light but I always had a feeling that it was a little better then the reviewers reported them to be. The somewhat bad reviews have left the second hand prices low.
Last week I put the camera in my bag along with some other of my kit and on the way home stopped off at a local tourist venue. The images below are three images from about fifty I took just as a test of this little camera. I have to say just like the reviews always said its a little old fashioned to use and the poor LCD screen ( in the sun ) makes you use the external viewfinder a lot but it still felt very good to use, a little like using a good film compact camera. The focus is good and the controls and functions are simple to find and quick to change if your use to any high end compact system.
Image quality
So what about the results, well the big reason I had to try this camera was for its sensor, ( A Foveon X3 sensor ) You can read all the details from the link, its the only sensor on the market that captures pure colour at each and everyone of its mega-pixels. All other sensors are monochrome only, with a filter that cuts out (Red, green and blue in turn) for each of a set of three mega-pixel locations in a row, repeated. Thus they do not record colour but only a signal that some colour has come through a filter to them.
The sigma sensor however records pure colour in full and at the intensity at which it reaches the pixel point. This system is as close to film as it comes.
The images below show the results and I have to say I am very impressed, quality wise they are sharp and the colour is wonderful but it was when I did a colour conversion to black and white my eyes were truly opened, if you have done any black and white conversion from raw digital files you will know the work you need to do to get some true film like monochrome contrast back into your images. Not here. The images even at default setting are just wonderful.
I have started each of the below image pairs with the black and white conversion from the original colour image.
Sigma Dp1, iso50
The contrast is just wonderful here, yet nothing is lost between the black of the trees and the sun on the grass…
Sigma Dp1, iso50
The green in the sun-lit grass, along with its detail is fully retained, yet the sky behind the trees has retained a light blue colour and not just overexposed into white.
Sigma Dp1, iso50
Again just look at the contrast in this black and white image, the dynamic range is just amazing, the shadows have just the right detail for a good image, yet the bright areas are not over exposed. This was a very sunny and thus contrast filled day.
Sigma Dp1, iso50
Just look how the colours really pop out of the image, this is as good as landscape slide film was without any photoshop colour post processing. All I did was set what I felt to be the correct exposure in the camera itself. Again and unlike slide film none of the image detail is lost due to the high contrast of this sunny afternoon.
Sigma Dp1, iso50
Sigma Dp1, iso50
Again none of the detail is lost in the above two images and a full range of tones and colours has been recorded.
Image print size
One issue is the actual image size out of the camera, this only being some 5 mega-pixels, but as with many peoples comments on mega-pixel size, more does not equal good quality big prints if the sensor is not recording enough detail, this sensors pixels are recording both sharp images (with as much details that the lens holds) and full direct colour detail. I feel very confident that these images could be printed at least A3 in size and beyond, all you need to print landscape books or books that record a holiday or family event for example.
All in all not a bad find for €50, one I don’t think I will be finding every weekend 🙂
Monday morning
Nikon D700, iso 100
Monday Morning sky over kilkenny
Nigel Borrington
Monday morning and well its a slow one in my mind anyway, empty of plans and reasons to get going and I don’t truly know why.
So maybe its time to go hunting for a poem or two and have a Monday morning coffee :
Monday Morning Coffee
Most people don’t look forward to Monday mornings…
I do.
It’s the start of something new…
It’s a clean slate
I like my Monday morning ritual
I wake up extra early.
Well,
It’s early for me.
I get ready for work.
Nikon D700, iso 100
Monday Morning sky over kilkenny
Nigel Borrington
Hopeful,
That it will be a pretty good week.
I don’t even have to ask anymore
An extra large coffee waits for me
And a
Perfect
Cloud
Melt in your mouth
Beautiful in it’s simplicity
Glazed Doughnut
Friendly faces and a delicious treat
It’s a great way for me to start my week..
My Monday morning
Look forward to it treat.
Nigel Borrington 
If they can do this – You can achieve anything .
Nikon D700, 50mm lens, iso 200
Two men walking the summit of Slievenamon, Co Tipperary
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
Sometimes in life you cannot help but stop in order to admire the abilities that some people hold and have inside themselves.
Last week I came across two of those people and one of those moments. A couple of weeks ago I posted about slievenamon a local mountain that is located about 8km from our home, I wanted to produce a series of posts over time that cover the area of this mountain. I started this project by doing a walk to the top during the week and after sitting down for a little rest got out my camera to photograph the views below.
I had already quickly said hello to two other walkers sitting down on the cairn at the top but at that stage was just happy to find my own spot and get some energy back. As I started getting some images the two of them passed by me again and we started talking about the weather and the views, it was then for the first time I noticed that one of the walkers was blind and the other his friend was attached to him with a cord.
The walk up Slievenamon takes about two hours and uses a strait path up from the village of Killcash below, it’s not a simple walk its rocky and you have to keep your eyes open every step.
For every step these two took the leader had to pass on information about the conditions, rocky or if the ground was level, how close to the edge of the path they stood and if the ground was solid or likely to move under foot. A lot of the path can slip under foot as its just loose stone.
I don’t think I need to say to much about how this experience made me stop and think, Its just one of those moments you will never forget and I wanted to share it here as I think it could inspire anyone who thinks they cannot do something – We can do anything if we truly want to !!!
Gallery of images
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June 26, 2013 | Categories: Comment, Gallery, Landscape, Slievenamon | Tags: hill walking, Inspiration, Ireland, irish mountains, Irish photography, Landscape, Nigel Borrington, personal development, Slievenamon, Tipperary | 10 Comments