Ethereal Landscapes Captured with Pure Precision
by Rowynn Dumont
Belfast-born landscape photographer Paul Killeen is a purist at heart. For him, beauty lies in mood and atmosphere — a fleeting moment of light across the Irish coast, a mist settling into valleys, or a monochrome horizon suspended in time. His photographs are not just visual records; they are invitations to experience stillness.
Driven by emotion, Paul’s work often balances on the edge of the ethereal. He approaches each frame with the discipline of getting it right in-camera, resisting the temptation of heavy post-production. That rigor has earned him recognition across the field: UK Landscape Photographer of the Year (2016, 2022), World Landscape Photographer (shortlisted 2020, overall winner 2022), and features in international photography magazines.
But Paul’s practice extends beyond his own images. Through personalized workshops, he mentors other photographers — guiding them to refine their craft, trust their instincts, and grow in confidence. For him, the reward is not only in the shot but in the transformation that occurs when someone else begins to see the world differently.
Ultimately, Paul Killeen’s landscapes are less about location than they are about feeling. Whether standing on windswept cliffs or quiet forest paths, his photographs distill atmosphere into form. They are meditations — a reminder that beauty often reveals itself in silence.
We asked Paul to share with us some of his favorite images for this PROFOLIO…
'Down By The Riverside' - I visit this location a few times each year simply because I enjoy being there. It is just one of those places. There is no major travelling involved in getting here, just a short drive from my home. Each time I visit, I will bring my camera in the hope of something new, but really there is a limit to the type of image you can make here. So conditions are make or break for me at this spot. As it happens conditions on this particular morning were perfect to produce the kind of image I had wanted to make.
'Everywhere You Go' - An image made in Lofoten, just before the covid pandemic in February 2020, when the world seemed like a much different place. Perfect conditions, making this one a special shoot.
'Eye Of The Storm' - I put myself in a precarious position to make this one as it was high tide, and under a storm of howling wind. I think it worked out nicely, but not for the faint hearted.
'Salthill In The Fog' - Absolutely perfect conditions back in November 2024, whilst making images at Salthill diving tower. One of this special times seeing an image on the back of my camera that I instantly loved. Whilst already a simple scene, the fog adds to that. There is something very cinematic about this image. The muted tones are stunning when viewed larger in print.
'Slieve League' - In making this image a couple of seven hour round trips were made during the period of a week, visiting the Slieve League Cliffs in County Donegal. Battling 45mph winds during a stormy day, so making this image was very challenging. However, often when the conditions are challenging, I make my most rewarding images. Majestic light and a dark brooding sky give this one a cinematic look.
'Standing Here' - An image made at one of my favourite Irish locations, Horn Head, in County Donegal. Simply breathtaking standing on the edge of the rugged Donegal coastline taking in this wonderful view.
'Souls Tide' - Overall Winner in WORLD LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER 2022. In 2021, a good friend of my wife's sadly passed away. Lynsey, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2015. When diagnosed, she was informed that she would be lucky to see Christmas that same year. However, Lynsey bravely battled the cancer for five and a half years before she passed on 11th April 2021. This image was made on 14th April 2021, the morning of Lynsey's funeral. As soon as I seen the two birds fly into my frame I was immediately reminded of Lynsey and her husband Simon. This is a very poignant and personal image.
'Sands Of Time' - A wonderful morning spent on Portstewart Strand in January 2025. The warm tones of the cloud are deceiving, it was freezing. The water moving and out during the exposure slightly adjusted those ripples in the foreground, making them shimmer.
Links:
Instagram - Paul Killeen Photography
Threads - Paul Killeen Photography
