Chris Ibbotson Photography

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Chris Ibbotson Photography

I'm a landscape photographer based in County Antrim. Contact me for further details I am a landscape photographer based in County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

I have one of the best hobbies in the world, a hobby that not only gives me freedom to travel and explore but one which is truly good for the soul. I have always had a love for photography but it wasn’t until 2012 that it became a passion, a passion which quite literally…saved my life. After a painful relationship breakup landscape photography gave me a new found purpose, it opened up a fresh way

of life and it quite literally brought me from ‘darkness’ into ‘light’…the light which I now chase and strive to capture in my images. Born in Germany but lived most of my life in Northern Ireland, I am very fortunate to live within an hour’s drive of some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, a landscape so full of raw beauty with its golden beaches, sweeping bays and rugged cliffs. A landscape so full of charm it brings peace and joy to young and old. From the lush green valleys of the Glens of Antrim to the high, narrow and windy road over Torr Head and on to the magnificent Giant’s Causeway. A coastline with its many quaint harbours and ancient castles perched high above the ocean, all these hidden gems all ready to explore with views which are truly divine. This proximity to the North Antrim Coast and many parts of Northern Ireland have helped shape my passion for the great outdoors and fostered my interest in Landscape Photography. I hope my photographs capture inspiring moments of the environment, which are the result of meticulous planning and preparation. I have been fortunate enough to win a number of awards from Discover Northern Ireland and recently The People’s Choice Award in a UK wide photography competition run by the prestigious Millennium Hotels. My work has featured in many leading tourism magazines like 'The Northern Ireland Visitor's Journal' and ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’ as well as in leading photography magazines like 'Digital SLR Photography’ and ‘Outdoor Photography’. I have had work commissioned and displayed by The National Trust as well as an extensive quantity shown on BBC Television. All photos displayed here can be purchased as prints, mounted, fully framed and canvas options at very competitive rates (See Pricing page for sizes, costs and example photos of finished products). Please also feel free to contact me regarding commercial licensing of my work, commissions or attending your camera club as a guest speaker. Equipment
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4.0L IS USM Lens
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6L IS USM Lens
Manfrotto 055XPRO3 tripod with MHXPRO-3W X-Pro 3-Way Head
Lee 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 Soft Edge Graduated Neutral Density Filters
Lee 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 Hard Edge Graduated Neutral Density Filters
Lee Little Stopper (6 Stops) Neutral Density Filter
Lee Big Stopper (10 Stops) Neutral Density Filter
Lee Landscape Circular Polariser

Contact me for further details.

04/06/2026

**CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMEMT**

Did you know that each and every image shared here is available to purchase as prints ranging from 12x8" up to 36x24". Prints are of the highest quality.

Please have a browse of my latest photos, many are not shared yet on social media.

https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/latest.html

Quick and easy ordering through my official website.

31/05/2026

"Sunset at Downhill Beach" (IMG1275)

Many consider the train journey between Coleraine and Derry/Londonderry to be one of the most beautiful in the world and it is easy to see why. It hugs the coast line with amazing views out to sea and across to Donegal. It passes by miles of golden sandy beaches at Downhill, Benone and Magilligan Point before heading down the eastern shoreline of Lough Foyle into the Maiden City. One fact some may not know is that it passes directly under the iconic Mussenden Temple via a tunnel.

Technical Details:
F16, 1.3 seconds, 26mm, ISO50

Prints are available on my official shop:
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/sunset-at-downhill-beach

29/05/2026

"Bonner Mill, Bushmills" (IMG1273)

This picturesque scene awaits visitors in the village of Bushmills. The last time I photographed here was way back in 2014. After my sunrise shoot on Bank Holiday Monday at the nearby Dunluce Castle I stopped off here afterwards.

You can understand why it’s called Bushmills. This small town used to have 11 waterpowered mills working away along the river banks! Today, only this one is left. Bonner Mill has been here since the early 19th century – although the building in the picture, with its cheerful red door, only dates back to about 1850. It’s now a private house, but Bonner Mill did actually keep working up until the 1950s. Bushmills is also home to the world famous Bushmills Whiskey made in the distillery just up the road.

When I was last here you got a better view of the Mill, waterwheel and cascading waterfalls as the vegetation was a lot younger. This was the best angle I could get as I also wanted the little quaint footbridge in the shot too.

Technical Details:
F16, 13 seconds, 33mm, ISO50

Prints are available on my official shop:
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/bonner-mill-bushmills

25/05/2026

"Sea Pinks at Dunluce Castle" (IMG1262)

Happy Bank Holiday Monday :D

Traditionally Dunluce Castle is seen as a sunset location for many landscape photographers due to the location of the setting sun. We are a few weeks away from the longest day in which the sun rises as far to the north east as possible. I have always fancied a sunrise shoot here and get light directly on the castle and cliffs, rather than side light.

I could see from my app 'The Photographers Ephemeris' that the suns position only changes a little in the next few weeks and does not fully clear the high ground I am standing on or ground behind me. Hence the partial light to the main castle.

I was last here a few weeks back for sunset and it wasnt that great so I was keen to return. I knew the sea pinks were good and that the tide was pretty high. The 5am sunrise however did require a 2:50am alarm call so Im a little tired today but wanted to share this photo will you all.

Technical Details:
F16, 25 seconds, 16mm, ISO50

Prints are available on my official shop:
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/sea-pinks-at-dunluce-castle

18/05/2026

"The Rugged Whiterocks" (IMG1252)

I think its time to refrain from anymore bluebell photos, despite having a couple still to share from Downhill Forest.

Whilst I was off ill, after my health scare, I got out a number of times with the camera as part of my recovery. About 4 weeks ago I drove up to Whiterocks just to get out in the fresh air. Whilst the weather didnt look great due to a bank of clouds blocking the light there was a slither on the horizon which I watched intentively for perhaps 45 mins hoping that gap wouldnt close up. Thankfully it didnt and what followed was the most intense red light. I took a photo towards Portrush and the setting sun before racing across the headland I was standing on to photograph the glow against the dramatic cliffs around the Wishing Arch.

**If you fancy a sneak peak then check out my latest images link on my website**
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/latest.html

After the sun set the sky became the most glorious palette of colour I have ever witnessed. Ill add some phone videos and photos in the comments below.

Technical Details:
F16, 30 seconds, 16mm, ISO50

Prints are available on my official shop:
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/the-rugged-whiterocks

12/05/2026

Here is my final photo from a recent visit at my local forest park at Portglenone. I've barely seen anyone on my newsfeed posting bluebells photos this year so I hope that you dont mind me doing so? Starting to wonder if the season is almost over.

I like how this little path snakes its way through the bluebells and wild garlic.

Can I encourage you all to browse through my website. All images available as prints.
www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com

08/05/2026

I've a few more photos of bluebells still to share over the next few days. This is quite a simple one from my recent visit to Portglenone Forest Park.

I liked how the light caught the over hanging foliage with the carpet of bluebells below.

Can I encourage you all to browse through my website. All images available as prints.
www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com

04/05/2026

"Misty Bluebells, Portglenone Forest" (IMG1260))

Here is another image taken on my recent morning visit to Portglenone Forest Park. It was somewhat misty when I arrived and I spotted this lovely slope covered in bluebells and wild garlic. It had a mist hanging over them and shafts of morning sunlight breaking through the trees, creating all the shadows of the trees.

It's different to my normal images, what do you think?

Technical Details:
F4.5, 1/250 second, 124mm, ISO400

Prints are available on my official shop:
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/misty-bluebells-portglenone-forest

02/05/2026

"Bluebell Walk, Portglenone Forest" (IMG1259)

Good morning and a happy May Day Bank Holiday weekend to you all.

May can mean only one thing and that is bluebells. I paid one of our most famous locations, Portglenone Forest Park, a visit during the week early morning.

Previously I have always hated woodland photography, theres chaos to it and it can be difficult to compose good shots. I normally use a tripod and wide angle lenses but ditched all that and only brought the 70-300mm lens. Having no tripod opens up challenges though, there is less light within the trees, less light means a longer shutter speed is needed, a longer shutter speed coupled with a long focal length (zoom) means more chance of camera shake and blur. Image stabilisation in the lens helps plus increasing the cameras ISO (sensitivity to light) from my default low value of 50 up to 400 helps. Image quality is lost a little doing this but less noticable in scenes like this. I enjoyed the freedom of not having to use the tripod.

Technical Details:
F4.5, 1/100 second, 116mm, ISO400

Prints are available on my official shop:
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/bluebell-walk-portglenone-forest

28/04/2026

"The Glens of Antrim Waterwheel" (IMG1254)

After my sunrise photoshoot at Waterfoot Beach the other morning I stopped off at this wonderful location in the heart of the Glens of Antrim. It's a shame the waterwheel no longer works, but it looks like a scene from a fairy tale.

Technical Details:
F11, 1 second, 21mm, ISO50

Prints are available on my official shop:
https://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/the-glens-of-antrim-waterwheel

Address

Ballymena

Website

http://www.chrisibbotsonphotography.com/

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