Life Through the Lens

Welcome to John Lynn photography. I’m based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. My work includes Events, Photojournalism,  and Portraits.
I don’t specialize.  I like to spread my work across several photographic disciplines that I’ve grown comfortable with and find that their paths often cross.  My early days in photography by necessity included lots of darkroom time,  and I’ve never lost my love of black and white which can often be more powerful than colour as it strips the subject of that distraction.

Click for larger images

The Cheat

My pals Laurence and Rosie.

Postcard from George

In other images  like these pictures of St George’s Market in Belfast and ‘The Queen’s Bridge’,  colour plays an important part in the overall look.

Spring across the river

 

Magic

Or this from the ‘Portraits Gallery’ which you can find HERE

And as ‘Summer’ is just around the corner, just for fun, here’s a little something to help set the mood. I shot the pictures in various parts of Andalucia, including Jerez and Malaga.

 

And I can’t resist showing you this amazing video from Vimo that’s just been uploaded to Facebook by my great pals and owners of ‘Sunflower Fest’; Michael and Vanessa Magowan. To watch in full screen for maximum effect, click between the HD and Vimo signs on the bottom right. Don’t miss this:

Manipulating digital images is simply a progression of what used to be done in the darkroom and a lot of the basic techniques remain the same.

Click for larger images

Just before dark

A low winter sun created great atmospherics and roosting Rooks added their own touch to the rather spooky feel of this picture at ‘Greyabbey’ County Down.

 

No Parking

And this little picture I titled ‘No Parking’, secured me a number one spot in a ‘Nikon’ competition on perspective.

Toytown

I make full use of the digital darkroom (to extremes at times) to introduce a surreal quality to my images.  In this shot of people in the grounds of City Hall I’ve used both a high viewpoint and ’tilt-shift’ to add to the effect.  The same applies to the ‘Mini Buses’ below.

Tiny Tours

Click for larger images

Place your bets

This was made at ‘Laytown Races’ some years ago as the punters gathered for the first race.

 

Topless tourists in Belfast

The bustle of Belfast on a busy Saturday.

Rainbow Terrace

‘Whitehead’ County Antrim.

This style of images falls into the category of photo-Art.  Many people make the mistake of confusing Digital art with this type of post production, which has been going on since the earliest days of the darkroom. Pure Digital art on the other hand has no photographic beginnings.   All my imagery is based on my own original photographs.

Click for Larger View

The Spectator

This shot was taken during the tall ships week in Belfast and processed to try to create a postcard drawing effect.  There’s no magic button to press; each photo reacts differently according to several factors.

To me, a photograph can be every bit as awe inspiring as a painting or sculpture.  There will always be debate about this, but you can’t argue with the old adage of beauty being in the eye of the beholder.

Click for larger images

Wave Runner

Horse and rider at Laytown beach in Ireland.

 

Tarifa

Tarifa town on Spain’s Costa de la Luz is full of photographic delights, from Moorish castles to Art-Deco surf shops.

I often see awe inspiring photographs that remind me to always be aware of my surroundings and constantly look for pictures that are  only there when you’re in the right frame of mind to see them. I think photography classes should be a requirement in all schools because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it. You’ll get an idea of what I mean HERE

Comments or questions are welcome.

*(denotes required field)

Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Belfast ‘Holi’ Festival of Colours

Belfast’s King’s Hall rocked to the rhythm of India this week end as ‘ArtsEkta’ (Northern Ireland’s leading ethnic arts organization) arranged another great ‘Holi’ festival to celebrate the beginning of spring. There was a magical blend of visual arts, sounds and the tempting aromas of Eastern food as the multicultural event got into full swing.

Stage-Lights-Action


As usual, one of the highlights of the event was the dye party where everyone had the chance to chuck around bags of coloured powder and make a glorious mess of friends and family.

Click for larger images

Paint your pal

Here’s a short photo-video to help bring the action to life.

Bollywood Beats, Dhol and Jazz Fusion and Bhangra Heads were just some of the amazing bands and dancers who contributed to the wonderful atmosphere of this high spirited festival.

Click for larger images

 

Eastern Action

 

Hot Sax

Me an' my Mum

 

Destination Facebook

 

Rainbow tonsils

It’s great to see the arts helping to promote communication and harmony in the community.

 

 

Posted in General Interest | Comments Off

Nikon D800 Video

Its not often there’s so much excitement about a new camera, but Nikon have pulled out all the stops with the incredible FX, or full frame D800 which has only just been released and is causing a real buzz in the industry. Amazingly, it’s not the top of their range, but falls into the slot aimed at professional shooters (as the £2,400 price tag would indicate). I’ll update this post as more details emerge but I can’t resist showing you this video clip (not mine unfortunately), shot entirely with the all new D800.
Enjoy.

The D800 isn’t set to replace the D700 but in typical Nikon form, to run along side it, presumably until stocks run out. Although the D800 has an amazing 36.3 Mega Pixels, they are slightly smaller than those in the D7000 (my present companion), but it is still quite remarkable and getting into the area of larger format cameras at considerably less money. Apart from the high pixel count, the camera has a weather sealed magnesium alloy body and carries over most of the functions of the D4.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

Decadence Vintage Bridal Fair

Following on the success of the summer events, Decadent Vintage Events held their first ‘Winter Wonderland Vintage Bridal Fair’ at the Holiday Inn in the centre of Belfast. Showcasing some of the best in the business for couples wanting a vintage style big day, there was plenty on show to stimulate the imagination. The freezing weather didn’t deter the visitors who were treated to a feast of visual delights and entertained by musicians including a wonderful string quartet.

Here, I’ve tried to capture the feel of the day with this Photo-Video.

This video is 360P for the website, but I can produce higher quality on CD for uploading to your social media sites and up to DVD quality for showing at trade shows on large screen TV.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Belfast Harley Dogs

Belfast couple Malcolm and Alena Orr, are used to causing a bit of a stir wherever they go with their four dogs on board their custom built ‘Rewaco HS6′ trike. The couple, keen bikers, bought the machine four years ago so they could travel with their beloved boxer dogs, Layla and Lucy.

Click for larger images

Alena, Mal and dogs

Off on another road trip with all four dogs.

The trike is German factory built with a Harley Davidson engine and a VW gearbox. Malcolm used to work as a marine engineer and had plenty of contacts with skilled craftsmen to help build their dream machine. They added panelling, seat belts, wind screens, dog carriers, quadrophonic speakers, an I pod player and a ton of LED lights.

Snug as a bug

Well wrapped up against the chill, Loca in her fleece lined coat.

Harley Dogs art shot

Art on the move.

Harley dog mascot

This little guy looks so real.

At the beginning they had no idea if the dogs would take to it, and as they had spent so much money they had a few nervous moments when they first strapped the dogs in and started the engine. But they were fine, so after a short journey they were let off to enjoy a walk at one of their favourite places, to help associate the trike with fun. Initially they were strapped so they could only lie down, but as they became more relaxed, the straps were eased so they could sit up, which they seemed to like. That meant getting them to wear goggles, which can be bought on the internet and are known as ‘Doggles’, which are specially designed for dogs. Both dogs took to them very quickly and are quite happy to wear they when they’re on the trike.

Happy Posers

The dogs seem to love every minute.

Over time Malcolm and Alena increased the journey times, always with a walk at the end, and now the dogs are happy to go anywhere. The dogs also got their passports, and have been to Spain, France,Germany, Belgium and Holland. When the couple got two more dogs, brother and sister pugs, Alfie and Loca, a bit more design work was called for and there was soon room for them as well. To their delight, the little dogs took to it as well and love to get out and about. They have been more reluctant to wear the ‘Doggles’, however, but they do from time to time and may eventually get used to them. Malcolm and Alena are members of the all Ireland group of a world wide trike club called ‘Brothers of the Third Wheel’ and are well known at bike rallies and charity events. People always look at the trike and then do a double take when they see the dogs, and the result is always the same; big smiles all round.

Doggles on, ready to go!!

Malcolm and little Alfie ready for another trip.

 

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

One hour photo

Wednesday September 28 was a beautiful and unseasonably warm day in Belfast, a sort of celestial tease about the summer that didn’t happen (again).  Anyhow, my camera was doing a war dance in its bag and needed a trip to town, so I decided to give myself a little exercise in street photography.   The object was simple.  I gave myself one hour exactly to capture anything of interest, just walking around the city centre. For those of you familiar with the geography, I started at the City Hall, Donegal Place, around Castle Place to Corn Market and out along High Street to the fountains by Custom House Square.  The whole exercise took forty seven minutes.

Click for larger images

Leavin' on a jet plane

Barely visible in the distance, a plane heads out from the city airport as the Autumn leaves frame the City Hall.

 

Wired City

Check the temperature on the big screen as the hi tech citizens click and text in the sunshine.

 

Miles apart

So near but yet so far; and spot the paparazzi in the background !!!

 

Groom with a view

Cool groom sits it out.

 

Helping hand from Dad

Dad on hand to tie a loose bow for this little one.

 

Roll on Jimmy

Some people like to know exactly how far they walk every day.

 

Lost in the music

Future star with a colourful background.

 

Optical ad

This lens man is reluctant to let go of his shopping bag as he adopts a rather undignified pose.  Shake that ass Albert.

 

Read all about it

Headline to make us cringe.

 

Coffee break

Friendly spot for a caffeine boost.  Great coffee !!

 

Romany tunes

On the fiddle.

 

International edition

Belfast Telegraph seller with a friend.  Cosmo City.

 

Invisible

It’s twenty one degrees and this poor soul is dressed for surviving on the streets.  Seemingly invisible, she incongruously reads a glossy magazine as the crowds drift by.

 

Fab three

More stars in the making.

 

Go on, dare ya

The heat seems to have got to these two young ladies, as their mothers probably will when they get home.

So there you have it.  Less than an hour of a stroll through the city and a life is revealed through the lens that’s often filtered out as we go about our daily lives.

 

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Zombie Attack in Belfast

Belfast city centre shoppers did a double take on Saturday afternoon as hundreds of Zombies took to the streets.  Guys and gals from premier musical company and prems events put on a spectacular show starting with a dance routine in Corn Market.

Click for larger images:

Undead tango

The grizzly parade then wound it’s way through the Victoria Centre, causing much amusement and occasional worried glances, and winding up at ‘The Black Box’.  The ‘Glee!kz’ as these folks are known as, were doing a promotional event for Yellow fever film production company.

Definitely not well

Doctor appointment recommended.

Partied out

 

Anybody hungry

Click for larger images

Something she ate

 

The Mummy

 

Zombie Law

All the beautiful creatures making their way through town.

Shop 'till you drop

Surprise for shoppers in the Victoria Centre.

Click for larger images:

 

It's behind you

Unsuspecting tourist could get a fright !!

Hungry revellers

A horde of zombie revellers approaching ‘The Duke of York’ in Commercial Court.  Imagine the effect if you’d just stepped outside after one too many. !!

 

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Belfast’s Holi Festival of colours

St George’s market in Belfast went all ‘Holi’ on Sunday 20th March, with a traditional Indian festival marking the arrival of spring. Lord Mayor Councillor Pat Convery was decked out with a colourful garland of flowers as he made his way around the packed venue.

Holi Lord Mayor

Lovely Japanese ladies in traditional costume were fund raising in aid of earthquake and sunami victims as part of the event organised by ArtsEkta, who’s website can be found here.

Earthquake Appeal

There was a terrific display of energetic dancing by several troupes; including ArtsEkta’s own South Asian Dance Academy. But the main highlight of the event was the colour powder party which the crowd loved as they showered each other in multi coloured dyes.

Click for Larger Images

Indian dance troupe

Dying for fun

Any colour you like

Dye laughing

Rainbow friends

Happy memories

Colour of the day

Colour blast

As the vision of ArtsEkta is; to quote from their website;  ‘To help shape an inclusive society which is respectful, embracing and reflective of multiple cultural identities living in Northern Ireland’, they did a wonderful job at St George’s market.  Let’s hope there’s more of this to come.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

Snowy Scenes

Photography in the snow can be tricky but greatly rewarding.  Both black and colour work equally well, and the treatment is simply down to individual taste. Continue reading

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Steamy Photography

Sorry to be misleading with the title, but I couldn’t resist it; the old girl I was up close and personal with was built around 1947. Thanks to the kind gentlemen of Steam Trains Ireland, I was able to enjoy some intimate photography of one of their mighty engines and observe some behind the scenes preparations for a trip from Whitehead to Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Click Images for Larger View

Continue reading

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , | Comments Off