Remembrance Day Dromore, Co Down

The parade made it's way through Princes Street to the War Memorial at Market Square. After the Act of Remembrance the parade made it's way to a service at Dromore Cathedral.

Thoughts.....

Memories.....Pride.....

The full set of images may be viewed at Dromore Remembrance Day.

One scary dude with a big chopper

From the City Guide to Valencia: the Mercado Central is a masterpiece of modernist architecture. Designed in 1914 by Francisco Guardia and Alejandro Soler it was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1928. With a surface area of over 8000 square meters, inside you can find almost whatever in the more than 1000 selling posts: fresh fish, vegetables, meat, fruit... You must go inside to feel the atmosphere of the market, and being surrounded by the smells and colours of this place.

So there was I, wondering around the market with a wide angled lens hoping to capture some rich candid shots. The demeur of the butcher, as he watched me approach with my Nikon was such that I didn't feel safe photographing him surreptitiously and I nervously pointed to my camera and made signs with my face and shoulders which I intended to say, "Would you mind terribly if I photographed you?" This is his pose and not a word was exhanged between the two of us! I hurriedly left the market, checking over my shoulder as I went.

Done it again!

I was delighted to be awarded another Gold Award, this time for monocrome portraiture, in the monthly 'Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers' competition. This is my second gold success in two months. Bertie was a lovely man who wasn't too keen to be photographed and I usually had to chase him around Mourneview Park when he saw me with my camera!My October silver awards for Landscape, Pictorial, Exterior Architecture and Sport are included below.

The One Show

Another first! I was contacted by BBC's One Show regarding a feature they wanted to do about "haunted trees" around the country. My good friends at the Banbridge Leader passed on details regarding some shots I had taken of the the tree at Finnis, just outside Dromara, and the researchers were keen to get the images for broadcasting. My mum was very proud as she watched my photos being used on national television.

I particularly like the way the cloud in the later image almost represents the 'spirit of the tree' being released. You can read the story from the Banbridge Leader here.

My images can be viewed here: Finnis Tree.

Ulster Bank, Dromore

The Ulster Bank in Dromore is situated in the town's very busy, very narrow, Church Street. The two storey building was inserted into a terrace by local architect Henry Hobart and it's beauty is often missed as one rushes between Market Square and the Cathedral on your way to Belfast, Banbridge or Lurgan. The sandstone and red brick facade can only be appreciated when viewed from a distance, such as the top of Lottery Place car park, but is well worth taking time to admire Hobart's design.

Childhood

This image was taken during a family portrait session at home. A completely natural moment, the little girl simply jumped up onto the seat to look at her shoes! I'm glad I was there to capture the moment. Do you think she might grow up to be a fashion model?

This little lad was captured during a family photoshoot on location at Annalong Caravan Park. I love the picture of concentration and enthusiasm on his face as toddles as quickly as possible towards his mum.I was attracted to the sisters as they ran together in the park. Their colourful clothes against the green grass and the way the sun highlights their hair makes this a favourite image of childhood for me.

What can I say? Childhood in action.

Click here to view my children's photography portfolio.

Gold

I was delighted to receive a gold award for this landscape image of the Old Schoolhouse at Mullan's Corner, Dromore, in the Society of Portrait and Wedding Photographers monthly image competition for September. The building is a well known landmark for the thousands of travellers who journey along the A1 from Banbridge to Lisburn. The image is deemed to be of the highest professional standard and will go forward to the Society's annual judging and will be published in Professional Imagemaker.