Molly
Molly is a 10 year old Golden retriever who has been out with me on almost every landscape photography trip I have made in the last ten years. This visit was to a beach in Co. Wexford, covered in fresh snow as you can see.
I thought it was time for her to say hello.
Fujifilm X100
Fuji film X100
In my drive to replace a long lost but much loved contax G2.
An electronic range finder and film camera, I have purchased two cameras in recent months.
Both being second hand but much loved, these are a Canon G1x and a Fujifilm X100
Since giving up film way back in 1999 I have only used Nikon digital SLR camera bodies for everything I do.
Every time I sorted out my photography kit my Contax G2 just sat there looking at me and begging me to do something with it, so last summer I sold it on ebay for a price that I was just about happy with.
This created a problem however, all the time it had still existed for me it created a possibility that I had a compact system that I could use if needed, however I never did. The idea of ordering then posting off film, to be processed just killed my interest in using it anymore.
So now I have replaced my Contax G2 with these two second hand cameras, I have used them on times when I just don’t need or want an slr system with me.
Over the next few weeks I will post just exactly what I think of them both, I don’t intend to do a ken Rockwell type camera review however, I just want to share what I think of them as I use them.
Fuji film X100
Kilkenny landscape photography
By:Nigel Borrington
Nigel
Spring; The age of rebirth
Fujifilm X100
Kilkenny Landscape photography
By, Nigel Borrington
“I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature’s rebirth?” ~Edward Giobbi
One night in Dubrovnik
One night on the streets of Dubrovnik.
Kilkenny photographer : Nigel borrington
Kilkenny Photography
Portrait of Kilkenny sculpture artist : Saturio Alonso
Outside KCAT art center Callan, Co.Kilkenny
Nikon D700
Kilkenny Photographer: nigel borrington
Music saved me
Learning music and the violin has saved my soul.
For about four or five years I have been learning to play the violin, studying with both Jacqueline Burke and Patrick rafter (Co.Kilkenny),
it is just one of the best things I ever decided to do and during these times it has lifted me so many times I cannot count.
I find when I am playing I only think about the tune that I am trying to learn, that’s it nothing else. For an hour the devil of the world and its news are behind me and after, well I just don’t care about them that much.
Nigel
The Boatman
The levellers
http://www.levellers.co.uk/videos
If I could choose the life I please
Then I would be a boatman
On the canals and the rivers free
No hasty words are spoken
My only law is the river breeze
That takes me to the open seas
If I could choose the life I please
Then I would be a boatman
If I could choose the life I please
Then I would be a rover
And if the road was not for me
Then I MIGHT choose another
Cross mountains and the valleys deep
Where I WILL take these weary feet
If I could choose the life I please
Then I would be a rover
But these things they’re so hard for me
I cannot choose my own destiny
And all the things that I want to see
Are so unclean
Well I wish I could choose the life I please
But I am not a free man
Others rule my destiny
But my will’s never broken
I know someday I will be
Everything that I dreamed I’d be
And when I live the life I please
Then I will be a freeman.
I know someday I will be
Everything that I dreamed I’d be
And when I live the life I please
Then I will be a freeman.
And when I live the life I please
Then I will be a freeman.
High on a hill
Artist: Kate Rusby lyrics
Title: High On A Hill
Kate rusby
You tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX_2NLrF484
High on a hill,
There’s a sweet bird calling,
All come together,
Are you in or are you out,
He sings of a time,
When the sky was falling,
All come together,
And be in no doubt.
Chorus:
Oh darling let’s go over,
Now the devil’s here,
Oh darling let’s go over,
Now the devil’s here,
Oh darling, oh my darling,
Be strong and be proud,
Oh darling then you’ll see,
The devil will go round,
Round, round.
High on a hill,
And way up yonder,
All come together,
Are you in or are you out,
The eleventh day was hell,
But the heart grows stronger,
All come together,
And be in no doubt.
Chorus.
Over the fields,
Where the water’s falling,
All come together,
Are you in or are you out,
There’s a bird on the hill,
And he’s sweetly calling,
All come together,
And be in no doubt.
Chorus.
High on a hill,
There’s a sweet bird calling,
All come together,
Are you in or are you out,
He sings of a time,
When the sky was falling,
All come together,
And be in no doubt.
Kate Rusby is one of my favourite folk singers, I hope this image does her song proud….
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
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!
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
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 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
Nigel Borrington 
Real world photography
So this photography thing then, what’s it all about?
If someone asks me what my favorite form of photography is and people do ask, I don’t always have an answer at hand. I feel that a camera can be used in so many different ways that it’s almost impossible to narrow things down.
I also think that overtime my choice of photography has evolved, it’s not the same now as it was when I was 25.
However if someone asked me today what my least favourite form of photography is I would have to answer, anything that’s not real. I feel that life in a small town like Kilkenny, Ireland is a little more limited in what people do and what they dress like.Even so I feel that photography should reflect the world around us all and that anything that is created outside of this world is faked.
So I guess the answer to what my most liked form of photography is, is anything that truly depicts and reflects the real world around us.
Some photographers pay to dress models in make-up and clothes that they would never dress in and live real lives in. Now, like I say this may have not been what I would have said at 25 years of age but it is what I feel today.
The world around us, is based on “what you see is what you get” and what you get may sometime appear to be a little ordinary but that’s what it is, it is ordinary. I think that the skill of any visual medium, when used correctly is to show you something a little different that you didn’t see first time.
My camera is for the real world not a fake one, one that only make-up can produce.
So then (Street, Landscape, Wedding and Sport photography) anything that really happens and people really do.
Gallery:
Kilkenny photographer: Nigel Borrington
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February 20, 2013 | Categories: About Nigel Borrington, Comment, introductions, Nigel Borrington | Tags: Kikenny photographer, Kilkenny, Kilkenny photography, Nigel Borrington | 1 Comment