Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal is just one of those magical places that always has something new to surprise you. It is a huge place just waiting to be discovered and photographed.

For photographers, regardless of the season, it is an ever-evolving place. Natural beauty (regardless of the weather) is to be found in abundance here regardless of the weather. Each time I visit, I find some new way of learning new things that help to make me a better photographer.

The Gardens

Once you arrive at the actual castle, you are hit with a mass of colour in the gardens. From the lush green lawns, to the plants and trees, this is perfect for all types of photos - either as beautiful backgrounds to portraits or close-ups of the plants and flowers.

I didn't have a wide-angle or a macro lens with me, so I made the best of things with my budget 50mm Sony prime. The results were pretty good.

The Walk Begins

While there are bikes and e-bikes available to hire, I opted to walk instead at a simple pace and look all around me, without worrying about other cyclists or pedestrians. While I managed to find some fantastic shooting opportunities for the flora and fauna, carrying a 200-600 lens can soo get tiring.

Regardless, there is always going to be so MANY opportunities to choose from. I had no fixed agenda - if I found something interesting, I took a shot and experimented lots with my settings to get the looks I was after.

My main advice would be:

• plan for double the amount of time for what seems just a couple of miles each way
• get a large capacity memory card and ensure your camera battery is fully charged
• bring snacks and water .... plenty of water.
• as for any outdoor photography, plan for the weather and dress accordingly

Framed by Nature

Walking along the gravel path, there were a lot of trees. At first I thought that this would limit my ability to take clean shots of the wider landscape. However, I learned to adapt and use those same as natural frames. You just need to take the time to find and compose the frames.

Beautiful Water

Aside from the rather obvious large lake, further along the path revealed some beautiful water falls and a secluded beach area that appeared to be inaccessible on foot. Very dramatic and it reminded me of a scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban where the Dementors where attacking Harry and Sirius. If Glenveagh National Park hasn't been used for shooting films, well, it should be.

Aside from the photographic opportunities, this is a great place to take timeout, and be in the moment.

Time feels like it is standing still when you are behind the lens at Glenveagh National Park. If you are feeling adventurous, there is a 'bothy' for overnight shelter.

On the way back I stopped for a few shots of the huge landscape dominated by the mountains on either side, and a few lonely trees near the walking path. I was pretty pleased with the composition where all the elements seemed to be pointing me back to my starting point. Just for a bit of fun, you can see where I have been experimenting with creating my own preset in Lightroom to max out the drama.

Another Day, Another Adventure Awaits

I'll certainly be back again ... possibly in the autumn or the winter and to perhaps focus on the wild life. I love deer and they can be found here at Glenveagh National Park. And besides, I never need an excuse to come back, especially with all the lovely food and coffee awaiting you at the coffee shop.