Rathlin - Island of Caves

amcinroy

I had an amazing weekend on Rathlin Island hunting for material to complete my project on County Antrim's sea caverns.

It looks like I could spend a lifetime hunting for caves on Rathlin, but here's one I found that was quite exciting. The second photo of me wading in was taken by my friend, Pete Smith. Excuse the nudity, I had no swimwear with me.

Setun

Wow, seems like a great location. It's up in antrim is it? Liking the first shot, is that a kind of mist in there?

amcinroy

Thanks Daddio,

Rathlin Island lies just off the Antrim Coast and you get to it by boat from Ballycastle. The scenery there is incredible and I have lots more to share.

In this shot there is some blooming in the entrance caused by a combination of the sea haze and the HDR processing.

Andy

l pearse

The swimmer must have B***s!!!!
Brrrrrrrrrr:eek:

The first one is a really great shot Andy.. So haunting.

Linda:P

amcinroy

Yep,

It was rather chilly to say the least. I let out a few howls which echoed round the cavern when I dipped in. I let out another howl when the water reached my nipples.

I was bit unprepared for this adventure. I had no swimwear and I had to wrap my camera up in my waterfproof jacked and sling it round my neck as you can see. I also had try to hold my tripod above the water, meanwhile trying to get a footing on the rocks underneath and watching out for deeper holes.

Thank goodness there were no Conger Eels about that might have spied something tempting to eat.

Andy

Setun

The detail on the left cavern wall in the first shot is fantastic.

l pearse

CHILLY!??! You are one brave dude...with excellent result...:)

Culann

That is true photographic dedication....the result was worth it, it is very good.

jessbeth

I love the first picture. It's very mystical.

smelltheglove

WOW loving the first, would have liked a different angle on the second but still good. First is one of those mass produced frame shots - well done.

Cabaal

I'd say that was cold, I'm just curious, any good stories about how you've nearly lost your camera gear to the sea's?

amcinroy

Cabaal,

LOL, I've not lost one yet but my gear gets some abuse.

My Manfrotto 055 tripod is rusted to bits and looks like something you would pull off an old boat. In Dunkerry it was totally submerged a few times and the ballhead has never been the same since. I keep an unused backup tripod in the boot of the car as I know that one day the current one is just going to disintegrate.

I've never dropped my camera (Pentax K10D) in the sea although it is also seeing the effects of the salt and the screws are all starting to rust. Waves have come right over it a few times but I do try to give a clean down when I get home.

But on the whole, I don't worry to much about the gear. This time I just wrapped it in my waterproof jacket and slung it round my neck. The water came over it a few time but the camera stayed dry.

And no, I don't use protective filters !!!!!! :rolleyes:

Cabaal

Your a brave man with your gear
Worst that happened to me is I got hit by a wave in Tramore one morning while I was taking the photo below....was a pain getting rid of the small bits of sand.


Andy I hope your luck holds out with your gear, long may it last as your photos are always great

RoryW

The first photo is fantastic. Well Done.

Suggest you consider buying one of the attached small rubber dingys. Even if it is only the gear that goes into it and you swim beside it.Costs STG£25 per website

http://www.ukgiftideas.net/databasecart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36_61&products_id=545

The above link shows 4 models - the 3 on the left are for sale...

AnCatDubh

For this type of shot #1 is just exquisite Andy. The K10D is serving you well.

eh.... how about given the nature of what you do, getting an inflatable kayak into the back of the car.... could save you being arrested :pac:

amcinroy

Like this Rory?

This is the way we got into Dunkerry. £40 of Lidl's finest fishing vessel.

Cabaal

great advertising for Lidl

dakar

Inspiring as always (#1 anyway!)