2011 IN PICTURES – DECEMBER (SO FAR)

Of course, there’s still nine days left of the month, but as i’m wanting to get this series wrapped up before Christmas, here’s what i’ve got of December so far.

Won tickets for Ulster v Aironi, so I took up the offer of a bit of free Rugger, so I headed to Ravenhill to get some not bad photos.

The following day, I was at Seaview for Linfield’s visit and got some OK photos. Nothing special

I’d hoped to get a better photo of the Linfield mural on Blythe Street.

But alas, there is always a car parked in front of it when I want to get a snap, but I will try and get one.

While I was failing in that task, I did manage to get a nice photo of the winter sun.

Ulster v Aironi

Ulster v Aironi Photo Album

Crusaders v Linfield

Linfield v Glenavon

2011 IN PICTURES – NOVEMBER

Interesting month. I’d hoped to have photos of being at the MTV EMAs, but alas, I was unable to get a ticket.

Without being greedy, I was at the Manchester United v Sunderland game where United fans were able to pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson spending 25 years in charge at the club.

I got excellent seats for watching the game, not so excellent for taking photos. Managed to get some nice shots outside the ground, including stickers left by FC Basel fans.

Later that week, I headed to Botanic Gardens to get some arty farty shots of the early morning Winter Sun, some of which turned out well.

Meanwhile, the month saw the unveiling of a new mural commemorating the history of Linfield FC, which, unsurprisingly, I was out to get photos for.

Meanwhile, the end of the month saw me make my first visit to the newly refurbished Seaview, which I was impressed with, and managed to get snap happy at.

FC Basel Stickers

Manchester United v Sunderland

Manchester United v Sunderland Photo Album

Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens Album

Weavers To Winners

Carrick Rangers v Linfield

2011 IN PICTURES – OCTOBER

Not the most productive of months. The highlight of which were going to see Linfield play at Coleraine, and Noah and The Whale in concert.

Coleraine is one of my favourite away grounds to visit, but not when it’s raining, like it was this time (Think it’s the first time i’ve been there when it rained too)

Managed to get some good photos, nothing spectacular, which is to be expected when you are stuck in the same position for 90s minutes.

The following night, I went to see Noah and the Whale at Ulster Hall. They were fantastic. Really cannot speak about how brilliant they were enough.

I’d went to a couple of matches at Windsor Park as well, but unfortunately, it’s not the most friendly ground for amateur phtography, but you can check out the results if you like

Coleraine v Linfield

Noah and the Whale

Linfield Photos

2011 IN PICTURES – SEPTEMBER

Not the most productive of photography months, especially compared to August.

Got some nice shots of Shamrock Park when I went there to see Linfield lose 2-0 to Portadown.

I was also at the Arthur’s Day conert at Ulster Hall. An enjoyable concert, even if the photos were nothing special.

Linfield v Crusaders

Portadown v Linfield

Arthur’s Day/Culture Night

Kelis

Cashier Number 9

The Enemy

Linfield v Carrick Rangers

2011 IN PICTURES – AUGUST

A busy month full of travel began in the most glamourous of settings of a rainstorm in Lurgan, as Linfield travelled to Glenavon on the opening day of the 2011-2012 Irish League season.

It literally rained throughout the whole match, and I wasn’t in a brave enough mood to move from my seat to get photos.

I did get a nice portrait shot of Mourneview Park at the end of the game though.

The following Saturday, I was in Edinburgh. The weather wasn’t much better though.

I was over for the festival, but with Edinburgh having two SPL teams, I decided to take in a match as well.

That day, Hearts were playing Aberdeen, and I managed to get into a good shooting position.

The following Thursday, as a bonus, Hearts played Tottenham Hotspur in a UEFA Cup tie, and I managed to blag a ticket, and get some good shots.

I also managed to get a lovely shot of Princes Street Gardens on the Sunday teatime between the two games.

Managed to stumble across some excellent graffiti in the University area of the city.

There are no pictures from the festival, but a full write up can be found here

From Edinburgh, I headed to Brighton for the weekend, and loved it, a fantastic city.

Managed to get some fantastic sunset shots and some street art pictures as well.

I’d hoped to get to a match at The Amex but couldn’t get a ticket unfortunately, but I did manage to get some nice shots of the exterior of the ground.

Glenavon v Linfield

Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands

Hearts v Aberdeen

Hearts v Aberdeen Photo Album

Edinburgh Street Art

Hearts v Tottenham Hotspur

Hearts v Tottenham Hotspur Photo Album

Brighton Sunsets

Brighton Sunsets Photo Album

Brighton Street Art

The Amex

The Amex Photo Album

2011 IN PICTURES – JULY

July isn’t traditionally a football month, but this round-up appears to be dominated by football photos.

I spent my Saturday afternoons going on bike rides, but I managed to head in to Windsor Park for the second-half of Linfield’s match against Carrick for some nice shots, as well as getting a sunset shot of Windsor Park earlier that week.

I’d been up at the Shore Road branch of ASDA to get some camera equipment, and chanced my arm on getting a ticket for the Crusaders v Fulham match, taking place that night. I had no such luck, but I did manage to get some photos of the ground.

At the end of the month, I visited Seycon Park forthe friendly between Derriaghy CC FC and Linfield. It was a lovely evening perfect for photography and watching football. Unfortunately, due to Deriaghy not having floodlights, the match was reduced to 40 minutes each way.

I also managed to get some sunset shots as well around Belfast. Enjoy.

Pre-Season

European Football

Derriaghy v Linfield

July 2011 Sunsets

2011 IN PICTURES – JUNE

Not a lot of football this month, but it was still a productive month of photography.

Went to see 3OH!3 at Mandela Hall. They were excellent, even if the photos were not of a similar quality.

Was also out during the month getting sunset pics, and I was pleased with the quality.

Highlight of the month, was an unveiling of a mural of John Peel in the Cathedral Quarter. It’s an excellent piece of art, well worth checking out.

It’s not in a place friendly to photographers, but I did manage to make the most of the situation.

3OH!3

3OH!3 Photo Album

John Peel Mural

Sunsets

Sunsets Photo Album

2011 IN PICTURES – MAY

A month of travel, as I headed to the UEFA Cup Final in Dublin and went to Old Trafford to see United take on Blackpool.

Absolutely loved the experience of going to a European final, even though it was the ‘second competition’ and the match itself was poor.

I’d actually got good seats for the match, although the only incidents of note took place at the other end.

Unfortunately, my camera was on it’s last legs by then, and I got a new one, which made it’s debut during the Man United v Blackpool game.

Got an excellent seat for the game and some good photos.

Also managed to get some excellent sunset shots.

Enjoy

East Belfast Sunset

Four Winds Sunset

May 2011 Sunsets Photo Album

Linfield v Crusaders

Linfield v Crusaders Photo Album

Braga v FC Porto

Braga v FC Porto Photo Album

Schalke Stickers

Manchester United v Blackpool

Manchester United v Blackpool Photo Album

2011 IN PICTURES – APRIL

Busy month as the Irish League season reached it’s finale and Beady Eye rolled into town.

The first day of the month saw me visit Seaview for a clash between Crusaders and Linfield. Earlier in the season, i’d left Seaview happy with the photos but disappointed with the result. That night, I left the other way around.

I did manage to get one good one, of Jim Ervin waiting to take a throw. Artistic.

My next Linfield away trip was at The Oval, and for once, I managed to get some good photos, especially at the end when Linfield were pushing for a winner, which eventually came.

Managed to get some OK photos of Beady Eye, but the month is mainly dominated by photos of Linfield matches and sunsets.

Enjoy.

Crusaders v Linfield

Linfield v Glentoran (Irish Cup)

Glentoran v Linfield

Beady Eye

Beady Eye Photo Album

Linfield v Glentoran

Linfield v Cliftonville

Lagan Towpath Sunsets

Shamrock Rovers Stickers

Lisburn Distillery v Linfield

Linfield v Portadown

Stranmillis Sunset

April 2011 Sunsets Photo Album

2011 IN PICTURES – MARCH

Not a lot happening this month, but I did managed to take advantage of the nights getting longer by snapping some sunsets on my way home from work.

Add to that some football shots from Linfield and Northern Ireland.

Enjoy.

I Love You

St Paddy’s Day Sunset

Linfield v Lisburn Distillery

Northern Ireland v Slovenia

Northern Ireland v Slovenia Photo Album