This is the 2nd time I've been to the now famous, Dark Hedges.....apparently it's now one of Northern Ireland's most photographed places. I have to say that I think it looks quite different from when I was there 3 years ago....it looks like some of the trees are now gone, not sure of the reason why, perhaps they have died, or have been lost in storms or something? PLUS it is very hard to get a decent shot without getting other people or cars included in your shot...unless you have the time to sit them out! but then again, just more & more people keep coming, so you'd possibly be wasting your time. Maybe winter time would be the quietest? or perhaps early morning? In the 1/2 hour or so that I was there, I didn't get one shot without a car, or a person being in it. I just had to be happy with what I was able to get....I have edited a car & a couple of people out of this shot (as best I can...I haven't had much experience at this sort of thing!), and preferred it in black & white :)
Both times that I've been here, I've had limited time. The first time a few years ago it was very late in the day, a storm had just started to blast the area, and I think I spent like 3-5 minutes snapping a few shots that I wasn't really happy with. This time, I had a little more time, but as I said, people everywhere...in all directions. So again, I'm not 100% happy with what I got....but that's life I guess!
A little bit of history on the Dark Hedges:
This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. It was intended as a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion, Gracehill House.
Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. In fact, the iconic trees have been used as a filming location in HBO's epic series Game of Thrones, representing the King's Road. The Dark Hedges have been included in a list of the 12 best road trips in the UK and Ireland.....no wonder there's so many people there nowadays...lol
The road is said to have a resident ghost, The Grey Lady....who has actually been photographed in recent times by a local photographer. I must say that you do get a bit of an eerie feeling whilst there!
Fab on black and what a wonderful image and great read about the history of the place. You did very well removing the car and people! No traces of them that I can see!
I guess Game of Thrones has a lot to answer for. I read recently that they had put white lines on the road and then had to remove them. Definite FAV though
This does look like an amazing place to shoot. It can get frustrating when people ruin the shot. Thankfully photoshop can get rid of people afterwards :)
You did a fantastic job editing this! I would have never been able to get people and cars out (I don't know how!) and it works so well in bnw with the textures and leading lines! FAV!
@pasttheirprime To be honest, I have not watched GOT at all, and had not heard about the white lines on the road. It certainly is a special place, and hopefully they will do something to preserve it & the trees in some way. Thanks for your comment & fav :)
