It was a cold and damp evening when I found myself standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the majestic Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland.

Beside me stood the renowned photographer, Gavin Hardcastle whom I had the pleasure of showing around my stunning country and so far it was certainly memorable .

We had been eagerly anticipating our visit to this iconic location, but the weather had different plans for us. The skies were overcast, and the rain was coming down sideways, almost as if nature itself was challenging us to capture the beauty of this ancient castle. We had mood in the sky, how would it affect our own moods?

Taking shelter from the wind and rain was an experience I had never thought would end but it soon cleared enough to start shooting and when we did the light played games with us.

Dinner that evening shows me a new side of Gavin before we reconvened the following morning to photograph for the final shoot together of Gavin’s trip, at another icon, how would it all end just what shot could I have gotten for Fototripper to say mine was better?

As the raindrops relentlessly pelted our gear and clothing, we decided to take refuge in a nearby farmer's hut. It sat precariously on the cliff's edge, providing us with both shelter and a breathtaking view of Dunluce Castle, waiting on the setting sun. Inside, the atmosphere was cozy, and it was the perfect place to have a laugh and exchange stories while we waited for the weather to improve.

Over twirl chocolate bars which Gavin refused to share, and amidst the sound of rain drumming on the hut's roof, Gavin and I shared tales of our photographic journeys. His experiences and knowledge were a treasure trove,, and I couldn't help but feel inspired by his passion for photography. The weather outside might have been dreary, but our spirits were far from dampened.

Eventually, the rain subsided, but the sky remained overcast, shrouding the castle in a mysterious veil. The light we had hoped for was nowhere to be seen, and when it did break through the clouds, it was in the entirely wrong direction from where our cameras were pointing. Undeterred, we adjusted our gear and started capturing the moody ambiance of Dunluce Castle as the sun set on the horizon.

As the evening wore on, the weather decided to cooperate just a bit. A hint of color painted the sky, giving us a glimmer of hope. We managed to snap a few shots that showcased the castle's rugged beauty against the dramatic sky. Even though it wasn't the ideal scenario we had envisioned, the challenge of working with unpredictable weather only added to the thrill of the experience. We might not have had the perfect conditions, but we had our passion for photography, and that was more than enough to keep us going.

The next morning, we found ourselves at the Dark Hedges, another iconic location for photographers in Northern Ireland. To capture this enchanting avenue of twisted beech trees in all its glory, it was crucial to arrive early, before the crowds descended. I had reached the location well before sunrise and secured the coveted center spot on the road, ready to frame the scene as the first light of day broke through.

As the sun's rays began to illuminate the scene in a warm, golden glow, I couldn't help but marvel at the surreal beauty of the Dark Hedges. The serene atmosphere and the twisted, intertwined branches of the trees created a dreamlike setting that was truly a photographer's paradise. It was a surreal moment, and I was grateful for the opportunity to capture it.

When Gavin arrived, he set about finding his composition. It was evident that he, too, was eager to capture the magic of this place. I didn't mind sharing the prime spot with him; after all, camaraderie is one of the joys of photography. We moved around, adjusting our positions slightly to find the best angles as the scene continued to transform with the rising sun.

As the day broke, the birds also started to wake up, their soft chirping adding to the enchantment of the moment. I couldn't resist wandering into a nearby field to encourage some of the birds sitting there to fly into our frame, adding an extra touch of nature's beauty to our photographs.

And then, the unbelievable happened. As I was photographing Gavin and his wife Amanda, capturing their genuine smiles and the warmth of their relationship, Gavin turned to me and proclaimed that my shot was better than his. It was a humbling moment to receive such praise from a photographer I admired so much. In that instant, it felt like I had reached a new milestone in my photography journey, a validation of my skills and a testament to the incredible experiences I had shared with Gavin and Amanda during this unforgettable week :-);-)

As the sun continued to rise and cast its golden hue on the Dark Hedges, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey I had embarked on with Gavin and Amanda. It was a week filled with laughter, camaraderie, and, of course, exceptional photography. These long and hard days had not only allowed us to capture the beauty of Ireland but also allowed us to bond over our shared passion for photography.

My adventure with Gavin Hardcastle at Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges was more than just a photography trip. It was a journey of self-discovery, and the realization that even in the face of adverse conditions, we could create exceptional art. The experiences and memories we shared during this trip were fantastic, and best of all it’s all captured on video on my own YouTube channel and the many hilarious skits that we did are on Gavins Channel. I’ve included a few samples in this weeks video, which you can watch below .

@Fototripper Said My Shot Was Better Than His