Lens focuses on life of lough
Will McAvoy dob 10/5/1923 born and reared on Mid Island near Greyabbey and left in 1950 to get married. His brother remained in the cottage until 1988 when it was sold to the N.T. Will is seen standing by the causeway with the cottage in the background and is in the Townland of Ballyurnanellan.. Picture by Bernie Brown
THE beauty of the largest sea lough in the British Isles and the character of its people has been brought to life through the lens of a local photographer.
Former News Letter snapper Bernie Brown, now specialising in landscape photography, has compiled a huge portfolio of pictures relating to Strangford Lough which are the subject of an exhibition at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall this month.
‘The Life of the Lough’ celebrates the wildlife, landscape, architecture, heritage and people of the waterway, which is one of Europe’s most protected areas.
The photographic collection is a compilation of two years’ work and is the latest public display of an “evolving” exhibition.
Bernie, who has previously captured images of royalty and presidents during her time with this newspaper, says she was struck by the beauty of the lough during her work, despite originally coming from the area.
“It was only when I started to research and travel around it day in, day out that I really got a passion for it,” she said.
“It is part of me now and has really taken over my life for the past two years.”
Trying to tell a comprehensive story through her pictures, Bernie met with local people and snapped them at the places where they originally worked.
One of her many subjects was well-known Ulster-Scots speaker, Will McAvoy, from near Greyabbey.
Bernie said: “It is really about the people of Strangford Lough. That is why I am so pleased and so proud that the exhibition has got to the Waterfront as Strangford Lough deserves to be there, and the people as well.
“I am really glad I have lifted them up on to a world audience.”
The exhibition also features wildlife, notably the migratory Brent geese for which the lough is famous, and nearby historic buildings, including Castle Ward and Mount Stewart.
Bernie believes the lough has its own unique character, which is portrayed through her photographs.
“There is so much wealth, culture and beauty. It is an ever-changing lough and is very tidal,” she said.
“Whenever the tide goes out you get a different picture and when the tide is coming in, again you get a very different picture.
“I have photographed it in really bad storms, the gales are just blowing the water over the road and it is really quite dangerous.
“I have seen the angry side to it but I have also photographed the beautiful side.
“What I want to do is bring that beauty to other people.”
The exhibition has already been displayed on a smaller scale at various locations in the Strangford area as well as across the Atlantic.
Bernie’s work featured as part of the Milwaukee Irish Festival in 2010 alongside exhibits of the Titanic and ‘Narnia’ writer CS Lewis.
The local photographer now hopes to carry out similar projects involving other loughs in the province.
Bernie said: “I have only scratched the surface – there are so many other people, wildlife and history.”
l ‘The Life of the Lough’ exhibits in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall until February 25
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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