31 January 2012 Last updated at 18:38

In pictures: Strangford Lough

Northern Ireland photographer and associate of the Royal Photographic Society Bernie Brown has an updated exhibition of work inspired by Strangford Lough opening in Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Friday

Coloured arch against black and white church

The 'Life of the Lough' exhibition celebrates the wildlife, landscape, architecture, heritage and people of Strangford Lough

The original exhibition started touring in 2010, including a stint in the US

Fields of crops and islands around lough

Bernie has now updated the exhibition and it is still going strong

Strangford Lough is one of Europe's most protected areas

The sea lough provides unique habitats for marine and bird life

It is a special area of conservation, and is also a Ramsar (wetlands of international importance) site and ASSI (Area of Special Scientific Interest)

Photographer Bernie said the exhibition was her way of "telling a story" about the area

"It's about the people, the wildlife and the history of the lough," she said

Man with plants and flowers in front of lough

Bernie began to study photography as a hobby in 1989

She went on to become senior press photographer at the Belfast Newsletter, meeting presidents, princes and pop royalty

After leaving the Newsletter, Bernie went on to work as an environmental photographer and has had work commissioned by the National Trust

Man standing at very edge of lough with an island behind

The 'Life of the Lough' opens in Belfast's Waterfront Hall on 3 February. Bernie is now planning further projects which will tell the stories of other loughs around the country

Northern Ireland

In pictures: Strangford Lough

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