Light Station, a photo from Down, Northern Ireland

Photographer's Note

St John's Point Lighthouse, Co Down

While lighthouse buildings differ depending on the location and purpose, they tend to have common components. This station established in 1844 had the primary objective of guiding ships safely into Dundrum Bay. This Bay had a long reputation for being a ship's graveyard.

A Light Station consists of the Lighthouse tower and all outbuildings, such as the keeper's living quarters, fuel house, boathouse, fog-signaling building. The Lighthouse itself consists of a tower structure supporting the lantern room where the light operates.

InasiaJones, Didi, lilimih33 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

InasiaJones (31566) 2008-08-29 16:41

Hi Stephen,

The foreground rocks are as attention-getter as the bee-like lighthouse itself. Because of their shapes, curious scratches and the way light bounce on them, they catch the attention.

Great mood here, with great timing for just enough natural light to allow slow shutter and colourful sky. I appreciate the fact that the light from the lighthouse is not overblown, with enough information remaining.

Excellent!

Andrй

rushfan2112 (2965) 2008-08-29 16:47

Hi Stephen.

I really like the rocks in the foreground and the pink/purple sky. Great sharpness and depth throughout. Definitely magazine quality.

Regards, Paul.

miketelemark (2785) 2008-08-29 16:55

Wow,

Fantastic photo. The movement of the clouds enhances the drama and fits the theme of a lighthouse as a beacon in bad weather. Great job with the exposure.

Yeoman (1179) 2008-08-29 23:45

Hi Stephen,

Beautiful colors very deep and rocky material superbly shown in this picture. The composition is perfect as usual, and low exposition leads once again his touch of magic.

Bravo !

Best regards,

Emmanuel Grenat

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-08-29 23:58

Hi Stephen
The lighthouses are in short supply from what I have seen in NZ, you have captured I think every lighthouse from the four corners of Ireland. Every capture you take has a unique feel with different lighting, colours, perspectives and water movement in each one. I particularly like the razor sharp slices in these rocks, looks like a shattered glass feeling. Excellent.
Jim

keda (1253) 2008-08-30 2:35

Hi,
I like the long exposure on the cost with nice stones on the foreground and nice lighthouse,
everythink nice composed and well done.
Great work.
Take care

Didi (61589) 2008-08-30 7:50

Hi Stephen
Well done for the long exposure, the ocean looks like a hammam of steam.
Very interesting picture with the lighthouse on lights.
I note also a good control of the exposure.
Kind regards.

guillaumejm (0) 2008-08-30 9:34

Hello stephen
Very nice picture. I simply love how you did capture the rocks on right low part.
Best regards
JMarc

yaya13baut (3344) 2008-08-31 2:45

Hi Stephen,
wonderful sunset ! the colors, the compo with the rocks spliting the fog !

rgarrigus (0) 2008-08-31 12:09

Hi Steve,

You do lighthouses as good or better than anyone around. I really love the sharpness of this foreground and the somber-ish colours really work for me.

I just finished an 8-day stay here in Northern Ireland and I didn't accomplish a single shutter click. Fog, rain and overcast all day everday for the entire week :(

To add insult to injury I got to watch a wonderful evening sky from the windows at Belfast International - and our flight is delayed @Ј"&**""!!!

All the best mate!

Bob G.

mark_mk (266) 2008-09-01 11:08

Hi Stephen,
man, I would love to have such a shot in my portfolio, I have no idea how you achieve these results, is it HDR? Whatever you do with these images, the result is always stunning and this one`s no exception, simply beautiful. A great, great shot as always!

Take care
Mark

OLF (4017) 2008-09-01 12:31

Hi another,
Another good picture, i like the sharpness and the details on the rock in foreground, the yellow color of the lighthouse that highlight it a lot on the picture. Very good job!
Best regards,
Olivier

Cormac (26565) 2008-09-02 14:10

Hi Stephen - it's been a while since I was last active on TE, but I'm back now and it's good to see that you are still posting here, as you are one of my favourites. Great shot of the lighthouse, which acts as a strong focal point for the scene. Those jagged rocks in the foreground are great too, and I especially like the way the light reflects off them, showing the texture so well. I like the violet tone in the sky too, which gives the whole shot a slightly warmer feel than many post sunset shots which can end up quite blue and cold. Nice work!

derek3755 (2341) 2008-09-02 23:30

Hi Stephen

great use of the foreground rocks in your composition, really grabs your attention. Like the low POV. Light is nicely balanced with the ND and a great sky.

Regards
Derek

marcan44 (6315) 2008-09-19 9:43

Hi Stephen,
really nice shot!
I like sky, rocks.lighthouse, silk water effect.
Excellent sharpness and lights management.
Cheers
Best regards
Mario

lilimih33 (9918) 2008-09-25 2:17

Hello Stephen!
You are an artist!
Fantastic atmosphere and colours in your composition!
Perfect work!
Best regards!
Lili

Rodrigues (1035) 2008-09-26 6:24

You got a dominat purple colour that makes me feel sad. MAybe I'm sad because of the lonely lighthouse keeper, maybe not.
The light reflected in those foreground dark rocks is awesome.

xramm (1831) 2010-04-16 3:20

This is really good picture as ambiance and details and colors harmony.Good POI.
Regards,
Hakki