British Isle Cruise 2017 Photo Review

It is definitely the photographer's eye that is important but from my experience a good camera helps. Sometimes photoshop as well :)

I would love to know what camera you are using as well. Recommendations are good.

The pictures came from 3 different cameras. Canon 7D mk2, Olympus *****-D E-M10 mk2, and an iPhone. No photoshop only Lightroom. I shot all the canon pictures raw format in manual and my DW shot the Olympus on automatic and the iPhone is what we handed people to take pictures of us. We had a 4th camera that was lost forever in Invergorden, I'll save that story for when we get there with this review.

I'm will be upgrading to a smaller mirrorless camera for our next cruise. I really liked how small and light my DW's camera was. It took exceptionally good pictures on the auto setting.

I'm still in the process of editing all the pictures and should have my review wrapped up in the next week or so. I promise not to take 6 months to finish posting all the photos.

Thanks for all the kind comments on our photos. I hope you get a feeling for the places we have been through our pictures.

"Thanks for all the kind comments on our photos. I hope you get a feeling for the places we have been through our pictures."

Our cruise is 10 months away and viewing your pix makes me wish it was now! Just looking at all your pix is making me more and more excited, you have the ability to place the viewer in the scene.

I'm loving the pics too. (Don't you just love Ireland?) And I agree the photog's knowledge and feel are a lot more important than the equipment.

People who are unimpressed with their own photos might want to think about simple things like shapes and contrast and lines and lighting, as well as faces that engage you. Of course, practice never hurts if you analyze the results.

And, Chris, I really like your judicious use of black and white. It's practically a lost art, and it's so useful to convey mood.

Jim

On our second day in Dublin we had a tour with Day tours Unplugged. http://www.daytoursunplugged.ie/ 6 of us went to Glendalough to see the monastic ruins.

It was very informative and a tour that we would recommend to others.

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This is our motley crew touring Glendalough.

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Glendalough upper lake.

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Once our tour was over our guide dropped us off at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral where we went to Marsh’s Library. http://www.marshlibrary.ie/ No pictures allowed inside.

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Our last stop in Dublin was at Dubarry because momma needed new shoes.

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The next day we were in Belfast where we took a Black Taxi tour. We were on what they call a shore excursion tour/Game Of Thrones tour. There was only 6 of us but you could have easily put 8 people in the taxi.

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It was very busy everywhere we went apparently everyone was on the same tour but in different taxis or busses. First stop Dark Hedges.

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I put a 10 stop neutral density filter on to try to blur the people out but there was no way I could get in the middle of the road long enough for the exposure without getting run over by a bus. We only had maybe 10 minutes here.

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Next stop was the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. There are a lot of stairs to climb down that you have to climb back up to go out.

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Queuing up to cross the bridge.

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The views were fantastic while we waited to cross.

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Crossing the bridge.

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This was taken at a harbor down the road from the rope bridge.

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Next up will be Giants Causeway.

Chris, thanks for taking the time to bring us along on your cruise through your stellar photos and narrative!

I'm particularly enjoying your current Northern Ireland segment as I am from there but haven't been back in 14 years. It's good to see it through your lens-the EF-S 10-22mm is one of my favorites.

Looking forward to seeing the Giant's Causeway!

Norris

Enjoyed the photos very much, thanks!

So loved the Giant Causeway but found it challenging to photograph to capture how many there weee.

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More great pictures.....:):):)

Bob

Giants Causeway is a very popular spot. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway There is a lot to see and do here, we had limited time so we made the best of it by hiking down the road to the main attraction.

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With patience you could find an isolated spot with no people. I generally like people in my shots.

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Amazing place!

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30 second exposure @ F16 with a 10 stop ND filter

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Giants Causeway was already on my list but now I really want to see it. Did you take excursion or is transportation readily available?

Next stop was Bushmills for a whiskey tasting. It was very good even though I’m more partial to Scotch whisky.

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Our last stop was Dunluce Castle. We were able to get a few pictures before we lost the light.

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This concludes the Ireland portion of our trip. Next up is Scotland!

Giants Causeway was already on my list but now I really want to see it. Did you take excursion or is transportation readily available?

It was part of our Black cab/taxi tour. Its not close to the port at all, so you would need to be on a tour to get there.

It was part of our Black cab/taxi tour. Its not close to the port at all, so you would need to be on a tour to get there.

Thanks

Most of the cruisers had booked the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh while we were in Greenock. Our departure time was 2 am to allow passengers to return to the ship after the Tattoo.

We didn’t go to the Tattoo but booked an all day Highlands photo tour with Photo Walk Scotland. http://www.photowalkscotland.com/

I requested from our guide Tom that we get to experience Scotland and hopefully get some good photos. Tom accepted our challenge and came through again and again. This was the best tour we had on our whole 17 day trip. We were truly blown away by how beautiful the highlands are. The scenery was breathtaking, Our guide was more then qualified for leading us on this tour. As well as being an talented photographer Tom has his MA Hons in Social and Economic History. It was just the 2 of us with our guide all day. We left the ship at 7am and returned after midnight.

Our First stop, Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilchurn_Castle

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Photo of the photographer taking photos

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It really did look like this! This isn't photoshop!

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This one is my favorite. My wife took this one with her Olympus camera on the auto settings.

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Coming up more highlands, lots more.

Our next stop was at the Falls of Lora. https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/falls-of-lora-p255121

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Castle Stalker was fascinating. it is still inhabited. http://www.castlestalker.com/wp/

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Here are the of the inhabitants of Castle Stalker.

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After lunch we stopped at St. John’s church in Ballachulish. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballachulish

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Thats Glen Coe in the background. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Coe

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We came across this boat after crossing Loch Linnhe on the Corran Ferry.

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Glenfinnan Monument and Aqueduct. https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/glenfinnan-monument-visitor-centre-p246521

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This is the aqueduct that the steam train crosses which was used in the Harry Potter movies.

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Camusdarach Beach

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Chasing the sun.

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Last picture of the highlands.

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Thank you for your wonderful review. I have been enjoying following along with your travels. I spent time in Ireland and Northern Ireland after my Baltic's cruise in June so have particularly enjoyed reading about your time there. Your photos are exceptionally beautiful.

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Enjoying your pictures. They are a ray of sunshine as we wait for Irma.

Enjoying your pictures. They are a ray of sunshine as we wait for Irma.

Stay safe out there!

On our way to Invergordon we cruised through the Hebrides, very rugged and scenic.

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Plenty of meat on those bones.

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Invergordon Sunrise.

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We booked a Canoe trip with Go Wild Highlands. http://www.gowildhighlands.co.uk/index.html

Ian picked us and another couple from the ship to canoe the Kyle of Sutherland. It was a lot of fun and very informative. We would do it or another tour that he offers. unfortunately we had an canoe incident where my wife says I flipped the canoe. My answer to that is “Sure whatever you say dear”. I can say with some authority that the peat colored water of the Kyle of Sutherland is not very cold and taste refreshing. We did lose 1 pair of sunglasses, 1 diamond earring and 1 waterproof camera, so our canoe picture is from the couple that didn’t get baptized on this day.

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The canoe trip looks awesome! I've been scouring the Internet for some more adventurous types of excursions like this that I think DH would love. Planning this trip in 2019; I can't wait to read the rest of your review!