Moving

My photographic musings are now continued on:

https://williamrbradley.substack.com/

The Old Railway Hotel

The Old Railway Hotel in Ballygowan, County Down, now operating as Davidson’s Bar, is located at 5–7 The Square, Ballygowan, Co Down.

Ballygowan Railway Station was part of the Belfast and County Down Railway, was opened on 10th September 1858 and closing in January 1950.   The Old Railway Hotel was likely established to serve railway passengers, situated near the station in the village centre. Today the building is known as Davidson’s Bar, and it occupies a prominent location in The Square, offering pub-style hospitality. 

The establishment serves as a landmark in the village and preserves the name of the railway heritage despite the station’s closure over 70 years ago, it remains a memorable reference point tied to Ballygowan’s 19th-century growth following the arrival of the railway.

Leslie taking a short break 

Highlights of Crown Entry

Crown Entry is a medium-width, high-walled passage under a canopy of old buildings, giving it a characteristically moody, enclosed feel. It could well  described as a “grim place”, a place that you would not linger in for too long. 

In the 18th century, the Crown Tavern—positioned halfway down the passage—served as the birthplace of the Society of United Irishmen in 1791, a radical group inspired by the American and French Revolutions that conspired against the Crown.

Today it is an intriguing place for the photographer to visit, a throwback to a bye gone age.

Contrasting or Complementary Colours

My quest as a photographer is to seek out colour contrasts and reflections which often leads to a fascinating journey into the world of visual storytelling. Colour contrasts create striking images by highlighting the difference between hues, while reflections add layers of depth and intrigue to a photograph. Together, they can evoke emotions, draw attention to certain elements, or even transform the mundane into something surreal.

These image were taken on a walk through the Co Down town of Comber.  The street featured is a place I visit often, returning to the same backdrop that I know works in the hope that something will happen and one this visit two opportunities presented themselves.  Red and blue are on the opposite side from each other on the colour wheel, making them complementary.  These contrasts make the image pop to produce a vibrant image, as can be seen from the image featured a bright red car.

Two women standing talking also caught my eye when I noticed that the one wearing a blue cardigan is of the same hue as the blue in the fingerprint mural on the gable end, a nice touch.  On my return walk passing the same location I noticed a small boy riding a bicycle, I knew when he reached the cafe’s bicycle prop the contrast between the two might make a pleasing image.

In conclusion the main lessons to take away is to be alert for colour combinations within the frame and to return to know locations that have pleasing features to maximise the chance of seeing things happen.

Yellow & Purple

Setting out to include contrasting colours in your frame can be challenging, on some occasions luck can be on your side, as was the case in making this image.

Yellow and purple are complementary colours on the colour wheel, meaning they create a striking contrast when placed next to each other. Using these two colours in a photograph can have a few different effects, depending on how they’re incorporated into the composition.

In this example the pairing of yellow and purple has created a bold impact leading to a visually stimulating image set in a scene of urban decay.  The vivid colours stand out against the grey dilapidated building.  While purple dominates in this image, the yellow provides a strong contrast and gives energy to the lady walking out of the frame.

The challenge for the photographer is to be alert to see contrasting colours and to use them effectively within the frame.

A monochrome composition reveals a quiet, architectural abstraction:

A wall, rendered in shades of a single grey tone stretches across the frame. The surface is flat and slightly textured, its monotony broken only by cracks and the stark interplay of vertical and horizontal lines created by electrical wire conduits. These lines suggest structure by dividing the frame. 

Two windows punctuate the wall. They are not aligned—one sits higher and off to the side relative to the other, introducing a quiet tension, a deliberate asymmetry. Each window is defined by sharp, linear edges, with frames slightly recessed, catching different tones of light.

At the base of the wall, a windowsill merges with the footpath, grounding the structure. The sill juts out ever so slightly, marking the boundary where architecture meets the street. This threshold is understated, yet its alignment with the pedestrian space hints at utility—providing light to a dark space.

In monochrome, all is unified by tone, yet divided by form and contrast. The composition becomes a study in spatial rhythm, geometry, and stillness.

Derryboye

Derryboye Crossroads

Derryboye is a small village and townland located in County Down, Northern Ireland, close to where I live. It lies in the historic barony of Dufferin and the civil parish of Killinchy. The village is situated in the scenic countryside, characterized by gently rolling hills, farmland, and a rural tranquility that typifies much of County Down.

The village of Derryboye is centred on a crossroads between the towns of Comber and Saintfield, placing it within a manageable commuting distance to Belfast, which is approximately 15 miles to the northwest.  As a small village, Derryboye has a tight-knit rural community. Its population is relatively small, and it primarily consists of private homes and farms, with limited commercial development.

The area is known for its pastoral beauty, featuring green fields, hedgerows, and quiet country lanes. It embodies the classic Northern Irish rural landscape.  As such Derryboye itself has limited amenities; residents typically rely on nearby towns like Killinchy, Comber, or Saintfield for schools, shops, churches, and other services.

Derryboye is a quiet, rural village that offers a peaceful lifestyle amidst the scenic surroundings of County Down. Its small size and agricultural setting give it a distinct charm, making it an example of the traditional Northern Ireland countryside community. Until recent times it had a post office and petrol service station, both of which are now closed.