the giants ring, a photo from Down, Northern Ireland

Photographer's Note

this is the prehistoric ‘giants ring’ only four miles from the centre of belfast. it is still immensely impressive consisting of a sub-circular enclosure, 200m across defined by a 4m high grass-covered bank with a top flattened by generations of sunday strollers.

it is a beautiful example of a 'henge' monument, built in about 2700BC at the end of the neolithic or the beginning of the bronze age around an earlier neolithic passage grave.

similar monuments are found elsewhere in britain and ireland, but this is one of the finest. in the middle is a ‘dolmen’, a tomb made up of five upright stones and a large capstone. most of the grave's massive stones are still in position, though one of the roofing slabs has slipped and the original covering mound has been removed.

to be so close to belfast, it is a very tranquil and atmospheric place, where the only sounds are from singing birds and the odd plane overhead.

copyright © all rights reserved.
the use or the reproduction of this photograph, on any media, for profit or otherwise, is prohibited without my written permission.
BMcC

Yiannis84, delpeoples, lakshmip1949, tyro, prasun984, ourania, bukitgolfb301, kiks, Silvio1953, Noel_Byrne, ManuMay, RhodieIke, kennyblack, elenimavrandoni has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Yiannis84 (2824) 2012-04-14 17:34

Hello Brian..

Wow! awesome capture as always we found in your galery! the high quality and the clarity are just excellent..i really like the clouds in BG and the excellent light..for sure your picture brings realax and a warm feelings..superb shot! excellent job..

Best regards..Yiannis

delpeoples (44888) 2012-04-14 17:39

Hi Brian

Dolmens and standing stones are my favourite subject (I only wish we had some in Australia ;) So I hope you don't mind me pinching this excellent photo for my Theme. You've obtained a great Point of View to evidence the unusual formation of these stones, the light is good and yet again we see a blue sunny day in Northern Ireland. I also like how the Ring is slightly off centre with the sparse looking tree in the background balancing the frame nicely. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Cheers
Lisa

mvdisco (16436) 2012-04-14 22:14

Hi Brian,
Beautiful landscape of these prehistoric the giants ring,
Beautiful colors tone and light in a sharp presentation,
Amazing POV. DOF. well taken here,
Beautiful sky too,
compliments,
Michel

dkmurphys (36709) 2012-04-14 23:44

Hi Brian,
Simple and attractive. I like the lovely sky and the natural fresh colors. Well taken, enjoy a fine Sunday.

Daniel

diomed (13926) 2012-04-15 4:05

Hi Brian,
simple and very attractive shot, good presentation, lovely colors, fantastic sky in th BG, great POV, depth and sharp.
Nice Sunday
Antonio

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2012-04-15 4:20

Hello Brian,

A nice henge monument . Like the peaceful atmosphere with no tourists. Beautiful nature shot with natural colors. The lonely tree is a nice bonus. The blue sky makes a nice color contrast aagainst the green grass. The quality is excellent.

Lakshmi

tyro (13009) 2012-04-15 4:48

Hello Brian,

Isn't it strange that you can upload what you think is a fine photograph (such as this one) and there is suprisingly little interest: yet another day you can upload one you're not terribly sure about and it receives rave reviews? Very odd.

This is a beautiful and well composed photograph with splendid colours and exquisite detail and sharpness. Perfect lighting and exposure and a glorious sky too. And a very interesting and informative note to boot.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

prasun984 (5590) 2012-04-15 8:30

Hi Brian,
Great point of view and composition. the open field
makes the picture nice calmness. lovely deep blue texture sky.
The great light management shows every detail and makes the colors beautiful.
beautiful landscape shot.

Friendly regards,
Prasun

siudzi (23831) 2012-04-15 8:37

Hi Brian,

Absolutely amazing shot captured with a top quality! Like the extremely good sharpness and clarity achieved here with superb saturation and contrast. Very well done.

Regards,
Malgorzata

mesutilgim (67856) 2012-04-15 12:30

Hello Brian,
Amazing scenery crowned with this nice clouds !
Nice capture with interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Hanssie (9921) 2012-04-15 22:41

Seems a nice place to walk around......
Nice sharp photo !
The tree is the right is a fine detail too which works verwell, nice addittion. The clouds are the helping hand to make iot special:-))

ourania (12249) 2012-04-16 2:34

Hello Brian,
wonderful picture of the fascinating prehistoric monument in the splendid sunlight. The point of view is marvellous placing it so close to the viewer and against the impressive dual backdrop of the brilliant grassy land and lovely cloudy sky. The monument captivates our attention with its structure, textures, colours and shadows. How many generations of people (as you mention in your note) have stood there to observe it! I love the excellent lighting and bright colours as well as the placement of the lonely tree in the background which balances the composition. A beautiful photo, thank you!
All the best, have a great week,
Ourania

Royaldevon (17713) 2012-04-16 12:11

Hello Brian,

It is difficult not to be impressed by these amazing ancient monuments.. Your pov places the monument firmly between the distant trees, acting like natural borders.

The predominent greens and blues give a naturalness to the setting, unaffected by any modern intrusions. It is sharp and most attractive.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

bukitgolfb301 (30023) 2012-04-16 19:22

Hello my dear Brian

Yes, another impressive shot! Simple but strong message!
Significant tasteful vivid color contrast is marvelous.
Thanks for your sharing with your best job and have a good day, best regards,

Takero from a little cold Tokyo

kiks (11359) 2012-04-18 8:51

I speacialy like the effect that you create with your low POV and the contrast of colors on this lovely composition.
Best regadrs
KIKs

Silvio1953 (97953) 2012-04-19 1:40

Ciao Brian, lovely composition with interesting prehistoric monument, fantastic sky, splendid light, wonderful natural colors and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

hay_kes (30406) 2012-04-19 3:08

Hi Brian,
Very nice nature view.Colours, light and POV are perfect.TFS.
Cheers,

hAyAti

Nicou (97509) 2012-04-20 1:44

Hello

grandisoe compo et cpatage sueprbe vue quel rocher et ce nuage parfaitement placé dans l'image fantastique compo et vue.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

Noel_Byrne (7209) 2012-04-20 8:45

Hi Brian,
There is definitely an atmosphere here, which you have captured brilliantly in your photo. I particularly like the lone tree in the background which gives a great sense of depth, and the wonderful blue sky.
Cheers
Noel

ManuMay (33311) 2012-04-20 11:19

Hi Brian!

Very nice and humorous capture!

Excellent point of view choosen and an amazing play of colours, good textures indeed...Good work!!

Have a nice week end...

Manu

RhodieIke (9207) 2012-04-20 12:38

Hi Brian, Great low Pov, on these boulders, super colours, light and management, interesting note, Have a great weekend, Cheers Iain.

williewhistler (7229) 2012-04-20 13:23

Hello Brian,
we have our share of these interesting monuments dotted around the West Country,here you have taken advantage of a bright light to show off all the texture and grandeur superbly.
Having the naked tree on the skyline also works well for me.
Best wishes Les

dta (51280) 2012-04-21 3:26

Hello Brian ,
I know that this kind of megalithic monument is not so easy to capture well . But you've done it , here . The fantastic sky is an important feature here , as the oustanding sharpness and light . The low POW works very well , and the composition with the lonely tree at right in teh BG is excellent .
Regards

Cricri (86295) 2012-04-21 11:25

Hi Brian
Bon POV en contre bas des rochers bien cadrer avec l'arbre solitaire au loin, magnifique couleurs et le ciel aux nuages blancs
Belle soirée
cricri

kennyblack (4105) 2012-04-23 12:15

Hello Brian
I'm fascinated by stones and monoliths that someone has left to future generations. Very interesting and beautiful composition as well as the perfect POV and color copy. A great job, thanks for the post.
The best Regard 's, have a nice evening. ... Marino

LOOOK13 (19022) 2012-04-25 11:37

Bonsoir Brian.
Absoluty splendid composition!!!!
Excellent job.
Best regards.

fds (5297) 2012-05-01 0:36

very originaly and very interesting picture from the preistoria
great light and fantastic colors
i licke very much the blu sky with great clouds
very emotive suggestions

ymrk (14929) 2012-09-02 2:17

such a relaxing...so lovely picture this is brian :)
thanks,

y.

elenimavrandoni (5789) 2012-12-01 12:38

The elegant and shy tree against the prehistoric giant rocks.David and Goliath maybe?Great clarity, sharpness, color and contrast!Amazing sky and great angle to show more prospective!Nature and History in a very impressive rende-vouz!I am your fan!