Chasing Light - An Irish Photographers Diary

2012-01-24T22:15:00.004Z

After the weekend BCC Shoot in Roscommon, I am still in 'church interiors' mode. Founded in 1874, St. Augustine and St. John's RC Church is in the heart of Liberties Dublin and right beside my place of work. I was out for lunch today and detoured inside to check the light. This is a very beautiful but dark church, particularly gloomy today and challenging for any decent DSLR. However, on this occasion I had only my Lumix LX5 in my pocket and no tripod ... still, I decided to have a go. This scene is to the left of the main alter and is illuminated with an assortment of artificial lights and candles making it difficult to assess white balance. Kneeling in front against the marble rails, I held the camera fast against a brass handrail and used the self-timer to fire the 2.5-second, single exposure. I think the Lumix done a fairly decent job of it under the circumstances.
I intend to return shortly with some proper gear for a more thorough exploration.

Photo: Lumix LX5 Exif Data

Sacred Heart Church - Roscommon

2012-01-23T22:57:00.001Z

Members of Boyle Camera Club visited Roscommon Town at the weekend and visited some of the local landmarks. Sacred Heart is a gem of a church, built in 1903, it has been renovated recently and ranks as one of Ireland's finest religious buildings.

Photo: Nikon D300s with Sigma 10-20mm wide-angle lens. Bracketed exposure, 3 frames blended in PS.

Silos at Stewart's Mill - Boyle

2012-01-21T19:37:00.000Z

Photo: Lumix LX5 Exif Data

Kelly's Supervalu - Boyle

2012-01-20T19:06:00.006Z

I came back to the car after getting some bits and pieces at the supermarket and was taken by the scene during this, 'the blue hour'. The light was poor and there was a constant buzz about the place with distracting head-lights blazing and the foot-traffic going too-and-fro. I propped the digital compact on the wing-mirror of my car and using manual mode, tapped in a 2-second exposure at ISO 100. I used the self-timer to take the shot.

Photo: Exif Data. Shot in JPEG with a Leica V-LUX 20. Processed in ACR with additional contrast and saturation adjusted in PS5. The result is noisy but from a 6mm x 4.5mm sensor, in these lighting conditions and using a compressed JPEG file, I was content with the result. The Lomo Effect was applied for visual appeal, not to disguise the poor quality of the shot.

Leica V-Lux 20 Test-Drive

2012-01-19T18:44:00.008Z

I've had a Leica V-LUX 20 compact point-and-shoot for a few days now and am bringing it through it's paces. It might seem that I've forsaken my DSLR, and to tell the truth - for the short term at least - I've done just that. For the last three month's or so, most of my photography has been realised using a variety of 35mm film cameras, mobile phone, a 3Q HD and a Lumix LX5. I'm now adding the Leica to that list. I guess the main reason for abandoning the DSLR is lifestyle, I simply don't have the time to indulge in personal and deliberate photo shoots ... but I think about them quite a lot. In any case, the subject matter of my recent images is appropriate to the digital compact - photos taken on-the-fly of what ever catches my eye at any given time. I must say, I enjoy the freedom of it all and would go so far as to say it's changing the way I think about taking pictures. As all of these images may never reach a print stage, I don't need the resolution or quality of a DSLR sensor. If anything, I'm developing a greater appreciation and respect regarding the restrictions (and advantages) posed by the digital compact camera which most of my students must come to terms with in their work.

The Leica V-LUX 20 is a clone of the Panasonic Lumix TZ 10. In fact I believe both cameras are made in the same factory. There is however a price difference of about €300 between them. On the surface, the only difference between the cameras is the red dot sported by the Leica, it also has GPS tagging which I think is absent from the Lumix version. Apart from that, the cameras are identical. So how much did it cost me then? Lets just say I got an offer I couldn't refuse.

I'll be disclosing my opinions about the Leica in the weeks ahead but for the moment I'll let the images do the talking. On that note, keep in mind that the V-LUX 20 does not have RAW capability, images are in JPEG and I'll be running them through ACR to tweak white balance and contrast.

Photo: Water Tower, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Shot in hard light to test dynamic range capability. Result ... look in the shadows ... pass!
Leica V-LUX 20 Exif Data

Costello Memorial Chapel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, second smallest chapel in the world!!

Photo: Leica V-LUX 20 Exif Data 1. Exif Data 2.

Preparations for First Communion

2012-01-18T14:28:00.003Z

Photo: Meath Street, Dublin 8.
Lumix LX5 Exif Data

Franciscan Friary - Claregalway

2012-01-16T21:14:00.005Z

I passed through Claregalway over the weekend where I visited the ruins of the local Franciscan Friary. This curious stone, set in one of the walls, caught my attention.

Photo: Lumix LX5 Exif Data 1. Exif Data 2. Exif Data 3.

The Road

2012-01-14T00:28:00.002Z

Photo: Lumix LX5. Low-light performance test .... pass? Exif Data

Sunset - Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath

2012-01-12T21:04:00.002Z

Anyone on the road this evening will have witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets in many weeks. It retained it's vibrancy for almost an hour, testament to the stretch (however small) in the evenings. I struggled to find a decent subject or place to pull-in along the N4. However, I didn't allow it to take from my enjoyment of the event.

Photos: Lumix LX5 Exif Data 1. Exif Data 2.

Doon Shore on Lough Key - Boyle

2012-01-07T18:21:00.003Z

Should be viewed up-side-down ... :-)
Photo: Lumix LX5 Exif Data

OCCUPY Dame Street - Dublin

2012-01-06T23:53:00.003Z

With protesters planning to stay “as long as it takes” and no official complaints to the relevant authorities lodged against them, “Occupy Dame Street” looks set to remain outside the Central Bank in Dublin for the foreseeable future.

The protesters set up their camp on the plaza outside the Central Bank before Christmas.

According to Dublin City Council, the area “occupied” is outside its jurisdiction as it is clear of the public footpath. While the council confirmed it had received one complaint from a business located behind the bank, it maintained it was not in a position to act.

“As it is private property, Dublin City Council has no authority to move these people,” a spokeswoman said.

The camp is located on property belonging to the bank and as such it is a matter between the bank and the Garda, she added.

On average during the week, between 20 and 30 people are on site outside the bank but protesters said that number could swell to up to 150 during the weekend, when people had more free time.

“We will be here as long as it takes,” one protester said.

Gardaí said that no complaints have been lodged and added that, while they were monitoring the situation, there were no incidents of unlawful behaviour to report.

Text Source: The Irish Times

Photos: Lumix LX5

Self Portrait - Driving

2012-01-05T23:40:00.001Z

Photo: Lumix LX5 Exif Data
Processed in ACR and Silver Efex Pro. Finished with Motion Blur and Lomo Action in PS5.

Lough Owel - Co. Westmeath

2012-01-05T22:43:00.000Z

Photo: Lumix LX5. Exif Data

The Caves of Keash - Co. Sligo

2012-01-03T22:27:00.000Z

Keshcorran hill is the location of 13 small caves at the foot of a steep limestone cliff, access via the R295 between Boyle and Ballymote. As with the Bricklieve mountains, this hill is of pre-glacial origin. The caves are small, but the portals are high enough to stand under. There is a large hilltop cairn situated on the summit at a height of 362m above sea level, making it the highest cairn in County Sligo - around 30m higher than Maeve's Grave on Knocknarea.

Some of the caves were explored in 1901 and again in 1929. Bones of reindeer, boar, wolf and arctic lemming were found, along with a large variety of birds, including rare or extinct species. Brown bear also occupied the caves for long periods.

Prehistoric man was not a frequent visitor, but from the 8th to the 11th centuries there were more signs of human presence in the caves, such as remains of fires, animal bones, shellfish debris, various implements and articles of personal adornment. The ridge top was the site of ritual gatherings at seasonal festivals such as Lughnasa, until the last century.

Photo: Lumix LX5

Lough Key Forest Park - Boyle

2012-01-01T23:17:00.003Z

A New View of a familiar local landmark. The new jetty adjacent to the Lough Key Forest Park amenity. Capable of accommodating a multitude of boats as they navigate the waterways about Boyle, it reflects an optimistic attitude to the development of water tourism in this area. It's a pity that the beautiful view from the shoreline had to be compromised though.

Photo: LX5

The Windy Gap - Co. Mayo

2012-01-01T22:54:00.001Z

The Windy Gap is a narrow stretch of twisting and uneven road that cuts through the Ox Mountains between Lough Talt in Co. Sligo and Bonniconlon in Co. Mayo. It's a lonely and desolate landscape, populated by flocks of mountainy sheep that sleep by the roadside (and often on it) during the night. It's also a very beautiful place, in any weather.

Photo: Lumix LX5

Fox Hunt Display about Boyle

2011-12-31T17:38:00.006Z

I'm not in the least sympathetic to the activity of Fox Hunting in this country but the spectacle of riders and dogs is something I've seldom witnessed. On this occasion, the 'display' was in aid of a worthy local cause.
More photos HERE.

Streedagh - Co. Sligo

2011-12-30T01:57:00.005Z

Location scouting. A very windy day on the west coast of Ireland, but a very dramatic and beautiful place, definitely worthy of a visit in the near future.

Photos: Top - D300 & bottom - Lumix LX5

Andy Irvine - Musician

2011-12-23T00:01:00.002Z

ANDY IRVINE is one of the great Irish singers, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland. He has been hailed as "a tradition in himself".
This shot was taken during the Boyle Arts Festival in July when Andy played alongside fellow musicians, Patrick Street. Impossible low-light environment and I couldn't get within 50 metres of the stage.

Winter Solstice Sunset - Cornameeltha, Boyle

2011-12-22T01:38:00.001Z

Ted Maughan - Tinsmith. Heritage Day at the Ballina Salmon Festival 2011

2011-12-20T22:11:00.002Z

The Ridge Pool, Ballina - Salmon Weir 2011

Photos: Top - Lumix LX5. Bottom - D300s

Townend near Troutbeck on Wendermere

2011-12-19T21:39:00.003Z

The Brownes of Townend were just an ordinary farming family, but their home, Townend House, and belongings bring to life more than 400 years of extraordinary stories. It's easy to understand why Beatrix Potter described Troutbeck Valley as her favourite when you see the traditional stone and slate farmhouses and barns. This shed by the side of the road is a short walk from the main house. I sat on the wall a while taking it all in, it's nothing like the Irish countryside, this place has a well cultivated almost manicured beauty to it. Yet it has the rustic charm of an ancient landscape, coupled with the summer sunshine, it was easy to let the mind wander.

Here's a LINK to a shot of Townend House taken a few years ago on a previous visit to this area.

All photos: Lumix LX5

Western Belle Ferry on Ullswater Lake in Cumbria

2011-12-19T16:20:00.003Z

Many regard Ullswater as the most beautiful of the English lakes. It is a typical Lake District narrow "ribbon lake" formed after the last ice age when a glacier scooped out the valley floor and when the glacier retreated, the deepened section filled with meltwater which became a lake.

Ullswater 'Steamers' offer trips around the lake calling at Pooley Bridge, Glenridding and Howtown. The 'Steamers' were originally working boats which from the 1850s moved mail, workers and goods to and from the Greenside lead mine at Glenridding, which closed in 1962. The boats are now powered by diesel. People often catch the 'Steamer' from Glenridding to Howtown and then return on foot along the lake shore to complete one of the most popular and scenic low-level walks in the Lake District.

Evening Light - Troutbeck River near Windermere

Photos: Lumix LX5

Moore Street - Dublin

2011-12-19T00:28:00.001Z

Shot from-the-hip on a compact camera street photography workshop during the summer. I've accumulated a lot of images from these events which I've not reviewed until now. Must say, I'm enjoying looking back at my year's work and all the images that have yet to see the light of day.

Photo: LX5

Dawn on The Bricklieve Mountains - Sligo

2011-12-18T23:31:00.002Z

Stradbally - Co. Laois

2011-12-16T22:09:00.004Z

Photo: Lumix LX5

Santa Lays It Down!

2011-12-10T01:38:00.001Z

The Murphy Children meet the Big Man in Red for a pet-talk in the run up to Christmas. Photo taken during the 'Culchie Christmas Visit to Dublin' otherwise known as the 8th December. A great oul day and Santa was such a pet too.

Sandycove - Co. Dublin

2011-12-09T00:06:00.005Z

A bitterly cold winter morning on the East coast. I'm standing precariously in my 'Sunday shoes' on slippy rocks looking over at Howth Head from Sandycove - a drop into about 20' of water to my right. It's windy too but the sea is relatively calm ... and there's no cloud ... sun in the wrong place, typical, can't loose the shadow ... crap conditions for this kind of shot! Damn it, I'm here anyway ... just take the shot.

Does anyone hate the cast from Lee filters? I'm having serious issues with my new filter kit! On a serious learning curve here folks.

Lough Owel - Co. Westmeath

2011-12-08T22:20:00.006Z

I watched the sun set on the horizon from the Mullingar by-pass as I raced to the lake. The light has potential, I thought to myself ... there's nothing in the sky! It's windy though, very windy ... there will be detail in the water? I took a chance. It took 6 minutes ... then I was back in the car. I was disappointed, but I took the chance ... and it was fun!
I remember a birthday, probably 1990 ... we pitched a ridge-tent on the hill, there was nobody to be seen. We woke after dawn and swam in cold clear water. I'm sure there was an extra storey on that diving platform back then?

Meditations on Journey Making 016

2011-12-03T03:28:00.002Z

Video shot on a Panasonic Lumix LX5 compact camera.

Mullaghmore - Co Sligo

2011-11-20T21:13:00.002Z

Not a great day for taking photos, the light on the west coast was flat and colourless. The constant salt-water spray on the incoming tide made it difficult to use filters effectively. This is a single frame exposure using a combination of Lee 10-stop and 2-stop ND soft grad filters. ISO 100. 2-minutes @ f/10

BOYLE TM Weekend Extravaganza

2011-11-01T09:16:00.000Z

This weekend saw the launch of BOYLE TOWN & MORE, an initiative designed to promote the businesses and amenities of the Boyle area. Over the three day period, locals and visitors enjoyed a variety of fun activities from an extensive list. Well done to the organisers and participants, for a thoroughly enjoyable and hugely impressive event.

Click HERE for more photos.

Carrick-on-Shannon At Night

2011-10-28T00:19:00.001+01:00

Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim after sunset. It's been a while since I've been taking photos for pleasure but I'm hoping to get back into it in the months ahead ... watch this space ... I hope!

Photo: Single exposure. ISO 200. 30 seconds @ f/5. Pretty much a grab shot as I drove through Carrick on my way home tonight.

Pyramids after Sunset - Leitrim

2011-10-26T09:29:00.005+01:00

Happy Birthday Dad! X

Heywood Gardens - Ballinakill, Co. Laois

2011-09-27T23:27:00.000+01:00

Completed in 1912, the area formally known as Heywood Estate just outside Ballinakill consists of gardens, lakes, woodland and architectural features. It was transferred to State ownership in November 1993 from the Salesian Fathers who had taken care of it since 1941. The formal Gardens form the centre-piece of the property and were designed by the famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) and probably landscaped by Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932). It is one of four Gardens in this country designed by him, the others being in the War Memorial Park, Lambay Island and Howth Castle. The Gardens are composed of four elements linked by a terrace that ran along the front of the house which now no longer exists. This is a little known midlands gem and there are images of the what used to be Haywood House on the grounds, it must have been some pile! I believe it was destroyed by fire sometime in the 1950s and subsequently demolished in much the same circumstances as Rockingham House at Lough Key in my native Boyle.

The Petrol Station at Ballinakill, Co. Laois.

Photos: Lumix LX5

Templevanny, Co. Sligo

2011-09-27T21:46:00.004+01:00

If you take the R295 out of Boyle, Co. Roscommon and head for Ballymote, after about 10kms you'll come to the Halfway House pub and a right turn that takes you to the passage tombs of Carrowkeel. Take the right turn and as you drive down the road a few hundred meters, you'll see Templevanny Lake with a small cemetery behind it in the distance. A sign at the gate will tell you that this was once an early christian and medieval monastic site but there is no visible evidence of any architectural features here today. There is however an abundance of low profile rough-cut or weathered headstones that may be the relics from an earlier age, but in this I'm only guessing. Some of the earliest recognisable headstones date to the 18th century and extent right up to the present day. In the absence of a local church, this would appear to be an unusual site for a cemetery. Nestled cosily on the foothills of the Bricklieve mountains with a tranquil lake in front and the majestic neolithic tombs of Carrowkeel behind, this might well be a fairly decent spot to spend your 'eternal sleep'. I must find out a bit more about the area as there doesn't seem to be a lot about this place on-line.

Photos: Lumix LX5

Wish you Well

2011-09-24T23:11:00.002+01:00

A little place by the roadside on the N61 between Tulsk and Boyle near Gortnacrannagh. I've been watching it fall into disrepair over the last two years and judging by the absence of a 'sold' label on the sign for the auction scheduled for early September, I'm guess that the decline will continue. An interesting, modest, humble Irish cottage with some rustic customised features, I'm sure it was a special place to it's recent inhabitants.

ps - calendar reads November 2009.

Cahir Castle - Co. Tipperary

2011-09-23T15:46:00.000+01:00

Cahir Castle is an imposing structure built between the 13th & 15th century. It was designed by Conor O’Brien to be a state-of-the-art defensive castle, appearing to grow from the actual rock on which it stands, the castle has been the scene of sieges and bombardments for centuries.

The powerful Anglo-Norman family, the Butlers, came into the possession of the castle in 1375. It fell to Devereux, Earl of Essex, in 1599 after it had been battered for three days with artillery; it surrendered without a fight to Inchiquin in 1647; and again to Cromwell in 1650.

Over the centuries the Butlers considerably rebuilt and extended their stronghold. However, by 1599, the castle had reached its present appearance, with the only subsequent alterations taking place in the 1840s.

In 1961, the last Lord Cahir died and the castle reverted to the State. The castle retains its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure.

There are still plenty of poppies to be seen along the roads of the Irish countryside. Outside Cahir, I stopped to take in the view and found these bright and colourful fellows.

Photos: Lumix LX5

'Down Around' - Tramore, Co. Waterford

2011-09-23T01:04:00.006+01:00

Recent weeks have seen a lot of mileage clocked up. From Milford at the tip of Donegal to Tramore in Waterford, it's been a busy time. Unfortunately, the weather and light this September has not worked in my favour. Perhaps it's a case of 'wrong place - wrong time'? None the less, it's been an adventure and I've recorded it as best I could with my point-and -shot. When I arrived at Tramore on Wednesday, I was anxious to identify a location for a low-light shoot that evening but the weather turned nasty and motivation flagged. There were gale force winds blowing on the prom when I took this shot, I couldn't keep the lens on the camera clean due to the heavy mist coming in from the sea and it was difficult to stand steady. Salt water mist is a devil to shift from a lens, it reminds me of a sugar and water solution - very sticky!
I've been informed that the locals call the area about the prom 'down around', thus the title to this post. I would have loved to spend more time here but 10-minutes after I took this shot, the rain came ... and continued for the rest of the day. So I headed to Cork and spent a very enjoyable evening with good friends instead. Thanks E & L for a great oul evening:-)

All photos; Lumix LX5

Arthur's Day ... Me Arse! Ferbane, Co. Offaly

2011-09-23T00:17:00.001+01:00

Do people really buy in to this? Are we actually going to take to the pubs to drink a toast to Arthur Guinness on this particular day or is this just another high finance advertising campaign aimed at the vulnerable and weak-minded to give the Irish (and everyone else) an excuse to drink? ... I wish I had the time ... and the money!!

Photo: Lumix LX5. Taken 22nd September (Arthur's Day!) in Ferbane, Co. Offaly. A lovely award winning pub on the main street, worth a visit ... for soup and a roll:-)

Inniscrone, Co. Sligo

2011-09-19T21:57:00.004+01:00

I visited the small seaside town of Inniscrone, Co. Sligo over the weekend for the purpose of examining this spot for some location work next weekend. It was very wet and windy and I'm thinking it will be challenging in the absence of some relatively calm weather. This is a really beautiful spot. In my childhood, my parents regularly made the short 7-mile trip from Ballina with a car full of screaming kids during sunny summer Sundays. Summers were a lot warmer then ... and felt a lot longer too! Inniscrone hasn't changed that much, apart from the wholesale building of holiday homes, it still has a lot of it's old charm. The Cliff Baths was always a building that looked out of place here. I was never inside it, as a child I could never figure out why people would come to the seaside and go into a place with no windows to take a bath! This little fairytale castle was built in 1850 by the Orme family, the local landlords, and has withstood the forces of the Atlantic Ocean for over 150 years now. It's been closed for quite a while, replaced by a more modern bath house just down the road.

Another shot from the visit HERE.

Photo: Taken with a Lumix LX5.

Hillwalk in Cumbria

2011-09-17T19:27:00.003+01:00

Turf

2011-09-04T22:19:00.002+01:00

'Turf looks, for all the world, like a dried piece of mud with bits of vegetable matter sprinkled through it. In reality it is entirely vegetable matter that has been buried and compressed in the strange and harsh bog environment for thousands of years. Left to itself for another several thousand years, this stuff would be well on its way to becoming a more potent fossil fuel.

You can always tell when winter has hit Ireland by the lovely smell of turf burning. Unfortunately, it does smoke quite a bit, but it produces an aromatic smoke with a lovely character. It takes a while to catch, relying more on heat than open flame. Turf takes a while to light, but once caught it burns completely to ash and provides a long-lasting, warm fire. No wonder the ancient celts made it a habit to use this as their primary fuel.'

source: Turf

The Bogmen - a shot from a few years ago that came to mind in the context of turf.

Portfolio

2011-09-02T20:10:00.002+01:00

A snapshot of some of my work during the summer months over on Flickr.

Boyle Railway Station

2011-09-01T00:14:00.001+01:00

Boyle Station about 9.35am as the train to Sligo departs and my train to Dublin arrives. I've avoided Dublin this last couple of month's but the summer is at an end, the kids are back to school on Thursday and the leaves are started to turn and fall. Autumn is a beautiful time of year, perhaps my favourite time. My journey today was productive and enjoyable and the weather mild and bright in the city. There seems to be a lot of tourists about too, which is always good for the country.

Photos: Lumix LX5

Back-Road Shortcut ... My Arse!

2011-08-30T23:52:00.001+01:00

I endured the ultimate test of patience this evening on my way home from Galway. Stuck for time, I deviated from main roads for a scenic shortcut. Alas, t'was not to be, and only served to add to my journey time and frustration. What else could I do at 10mph and no chance to over-take only take a photo!

Photo: Bringing home the turf - somewhere on the back roads near Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. I blindly poked the compact camera out the window as we cruised along.

About Sligo

2011-08-29T22:19:00.000+01:00

A few from a recent visit to Sligo. I'm very fond of this place and although I live close by, don't really make the effort to spend more time here. It's nice to mooch about the streets and look at folk, savour the atmosphere and take a few photos. I have particularly good memories of Hargadon's Pub which used to be famous for it's Guinness, however it wasn't up to scratch on this visit.

Photos: Lumix LX5

Storm Clouds over Boyle

2011-08-26T22:59:00.002+01:00

I was having a doze yesterday evening after a busy and eventful day when a phone call from a friend alerted me to the transformation taking place in the sky about Boyle. I only had time to take my compact camera with me as I tried to find a good vantage point close to home. I had about 10 minutes to take a few snapshots before the rain arrived. I believe I missed the best of the drama but I'm sure there were plenty of other cameras looking up at this beautiful and intriguing gift of nature.

Photo: LX5 Lumix.

A Weekend in August

2011-08-23T00:41:00.004+01:00

Here's a few more snapshots from my weekend in Cork. I would use the photos in recent posts to illustrate and reinforce the point that a digital compact camera is indeed a very powerful photographic instrument. Needless to say, I'm very happy with my Lumix ... no matter what the challenges of light present!

All photos taken with a Lumix LX5 using a variety of Manual and Semi-Automatic/Programme Modes. All are hand-held in difficult lighting situations. Minimal PP in this set.

Rambling in Cork

2011-08-22T14:27:00.005+01:00

We stayed in the beautiful village of Rostellan at the weekend while exploring south-east Cork. Trying to make the most of the few remaining days before the challenges of a new academic year kick-in. Butterflies are not usually my thing, nor is macro photography, however these Common Blue butterflies were a perfect subject to try out the very satisfactory macro function of this Lumix compact camera.

All photos taken with a Lumix LX5

Eggleston - A Tribute

2011-08-15T22:03:00.003+01:00

'Untitled' Boyle, Co. Roscommom.

Car Boot Sale - Carrick-on-Shannon

2011-08-07T22:54:00.002+01:00

Carrick-on-Shannon Car Boot Sale was originally set up at Supreme Business Park on the Sligo side of Carrick-on-Shannon approximately six years ago. If you have nothing to do after mass on a Sunday morning, then this is the place to come - to buy, to sell or just have a nose about ... if only once in a blue moon. After today's visit, I'll be doing a clear-out of my own attic in the weeks ahead!

We should do a photo shoot here, there are some rare characters about this place:-)

For Enquires and bookings; Contact 087 6277969.

Carousel

2011-08-06T19:20:00.003+01:00

The earliest known depiction of a carousel is in a Byzantine bas-relief dating to around 500 A.D., which depicts riders in baskets suspended from a central pole. The word carousel originates from the Italian garosello and Spanish carosella ("little battle"), used by crusaders to describe a combat preparation exercise and game played by Turkish and Arabian horsemen in the 12th century. In a sense this early device could be considered a cavalry training mechanism; it prepared and strengthened the riders for actual combat as they wielded their swords at the mock enemies. European Crusaders discovered this device and brought the idea back to their own lands.

The above carousel is situated at Salthill in Galway and is part of the Leisureland Amusement Park.

Photos: Lumix LX5

Knocknarea - Sligo

2011-08-02T22:04:00.001+01:00

Out and about in Sligo at the weekend and caught this very friendly fella on a wall at the bottom of Knocknarea. Shot with a Lumix LX5.

Malachy Costello - 'Selected Paintings' exhibition Boyle

2011-07-28T16:58:00.003+01:00

Currently exhibiting in Boyle, Malachy Costello was born in Roscommon, in 1959. He is a graduate of Crawford Municipal School of Art, Cork and the Sligo Institute of Technology. His paintings are inspired by the landscapes of North Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo.

Since he first began exhibiting his work in 1983, Malachy Costello has participated in numerous exhibitions all over Ireland and abroad. He has had solo shows in Foxford Exhibition Centre, Mayo, Dolmen Gallery, Limerick, Castle Art Gallery, Sligo and in the Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon. In October 2007 he held a Solo exhibition at the Leinster Gallery entitled "A Particular Place" which featured landscapes from around his native county of Roscommon. He has contributed to several group exhibitions including the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, the RHA, Oireachtas and the RUA annual exhibitions.

In 2000 his painting Winter Garden was awarded the J.P. Duggan Prize for Outstanding Work at the Carlow Eigse Arts Festival.

His works are in the public collections of M.B.N.A., Co. Leitrim, Sligo VEC, the Municipal Collection in Cesson-Sevigne, France, as well as in many private collections in Ireland, Britain, Holland and USA.

In association with Boyle Arts Festival, Malachy's exhibition runs until 31st July.

Saramai & The Swords play Boyle Arts Festival

2011-07-27T01:14:00.001+01:00

These ladies have seriously upped their game since I saw them last year. Saramai and The Swords fronted by aka Saramai and Joy Booth with Cormac O'Keeffe - Lead Guitar/Vocals, Andrew Snow - Drums Vocals & Paddy Smyth - Bass, are an exceptionally gifted group and a very nice bunch of young musicians to-boot. Great gig tonight in The Patrick's Well in Boyle.

Check out last year's shot.

Fregoli perform in Boyle

2011-07-23T14:34:00.000+01:00

A very fine performance of 'The Secret Life of Me', performed by the Galway based Fregoli Theatre Company. A thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking drama which, from a male perspective, goes some way to illuminating the difference between what women say and what women think! An effective marriage of monologues, music and lighting, beautifully choreographed - I loved it. Well done to all.

Ballina Salmon Festival 2011

2011-07-20T15:32:00.002+01:00

I got to visit my home town, Ballina, for Heritage Day last Wednesday during the Salmon Festival. The weather was a perfect 25°, blue sky and glorious sunshine. Unfortunately we paid the price with the relentless rain that followed for five consecutive days! As ever, this was a fun family day and I snapped a few candids for the album with my LX5. For some reason, this one reminded me of the movie 'UP'.

Fathers and Sons - Self, with my Father and son.

Photos: LX5

Siobhan Cox-Carlos at the Sol Gallery Dublin

2011-07-18T11:34:00.001+01:00

My good friend, artist Siobhan Cox-Carlos, is currently exhibiting her most recent paintings at The Sol Art Gallery, Dawson St. Dublin. I was delighted to meet her there and see the work. Her large paintings, done during a residency at Annaghmakerrig, are particularly striking. My favourite was 'Presence', pictured above with the artist herself. Best of luck with the exhibition Siobhan.

Photo: Taken with a Lumix LX5

World's Biggest Glitter Ball

2011-07-18T00:09:00.008+01:00

Until recently, Blackpool held the record for the highest rollercoaster in Europe, and now it holds the record for the world’s largest rotating glitter ball. Located on the South Shore sculptural development, the glitter ball is visible for miles around from the air, and gives an amazing light show on the pavement around it. With the slightly curious name, “They Shoot Horses Don’t They”, after a 1960s film and song by a Welsh group called 'Racing Cars'. The ball was designed by artist Michael Trainor and commissioned by the Manchester-based Art Department.

The revolving artwork, featuring 46,500 mirrors, is a permanent fixture on the resort's South Promenade.
The glitterball beat a 2.4m-diameter ball in a Los Angeles nightclub to the world record.
When installed, the artist said: "Hopefully it will be seen as a new icon for Blackpool and the region, and is probably the shiniest artwork in the world (obviously never heard of Anish Kapoor!). "Every second of every day the mirrored facets give a different view of the environment - sea, sky, traffic, trams and promenaders all wrapped up in one mesmorising, moving image."

The glitterball was officially switched on in 2002 by Baron Isherwood, the North West Development Agency Director of Regeneration.

Photo: 'Shite-light' they call it. Taken just before dawn at 4.20 am. July 8th. I should have stayed in bed!! ISO 100. 4 second exposure @ f/10. A lot of noise about nothing if you ask me!! In case you haven't twigged it yet, Blackpool is the 'ballroom' capital of England and the dancing that goes on in the 'Tower' is a pretty serious affair. The Tower is currently closed to the public for long overdue renovations but will reopen in the Autumn to coincided with the annual 'Illuminations' season. Wouldn't mind being there for that!
ps; photos of the Tower later.

Light and Rain

2011-07-17T18:15:00.003+01:00

I've been neglecting this space for a while but once again, I'm returning with some new work and hope to have a productive Summer too.

The above shot was taken recently during a trip to England. The seaside town of Blackpool on a mid-week, wet evening was an interesting and challenging subject. I spent about two hours walking about in the rain looking for combinations of street-lights and reflections. This type of shot has made me see the value of investing in a decent umbrella. Here's another one taken from the left of the frame.

Just to remind new visitors to this blog, this is a personal photo diary, the images here are very much 'snapshots' from my wanderings. Images receive very little PP and are visual sketches only. Feel free to comment but don't be offended when comments are not published. My gratitude to regular visitors, I'm glad you have the interest to return and comment so frequently. T

The Apprentice

2011-06-25T21:57:00.011+01:00

This young Roscommon man is developing a healthy interest in photography and lately I seem to be calling on him regularly for his assistance and expertise in photographic matters.
Photos: Both these taken with the LX5. The above at the RDS in Dublin.

This gentleman was fully absorbed in his painting of a large rendition of a 'Mocha' inspired illustration. I have great admiration for all Street Artists and Performers, particularly in this day and age when they are struggling to make a living. On this occasion I was a bit strapped for cash myself but was more that happy to share a portion of my €2.00 worth of bananas purchased in Moore Street. The artist was equally happy to accept the offer but too busy for a bit of banter ... otherwise I could have accompanied this post with his name.
Photo: O'Connell St. Dublin.

Happy Wedding Anniversary Mum & Dad!

2011-06-24T01:06:00.000+01:00

Bonfire Night at Mockmoyne in Boyle. Thanks to the Dwyer Family, this ancient solstice tradition is kept very much alive. Tonight was my son's first venture out on Bonfire Night, I had a job to get him home. Things were only starting to 'warm up' when we left Mockmoyne at midnight.

My Mum and Dad are 46 years married today. Kisses to you both. XX

Boyle Arts Festival Launched Today In Dublin

2011-06-22T23:17:00.003+01:00

Members of the Boyle Arts Festival Organising Committee with local politician Frank Feighan TD pictured in The Culture Box, Temple Bar, Dublin.

Boyle Arts Festival - 21st to 30th July.

View the full programme for this years's event HERE.

Speakers at the launch included Barry Feely and Irene Madden

Bond Girls

2011-06-21T23:06:00.002+01:00

I passed this pair of lovely ladies having a friendly morning chat in Oliver Bond Street, Dublin on my way to work. Shot with the LX5, it was a grab opportunity I could not pass up. As I walked past I quickly fired off two frames, this being one of them. Great image clarity assisted by the sharp morning light which happened to be coming from the right direction. Taken in RAW, some minor tweaking done in PS.

Moore Street Dublin

More Good News?

2011-06-20T22:16:00.004+01:00

Got the rickety old train home this evening and in the absence of a power source for the laptop, I amused myself with the LX5. Must say, I'm getting to like this camera a lot and it's now a permanent pocket companion. It's light-weight, fast focusing and feature packed and performs very well on the street. The only down side is the absence of an adjustable LCD display, but I was aware of that at the time of purchase and will have to live with it.

I'm currently experimenting with some of the in-camera processing features. There are a variety of 'Film' modes which process captured files by altering contrast, saturation and sharpness to replicate the effects of film, e.g. 'Vibrant' = Velvia, 'Nostalgic' = Polaroid and 'Dynamic B&W' = 3200 Neopan. There is also a 'Colour Mode' feature on the Mode Dial where you can give additional input to the way the captured files are processed with regard to colour, e.g. 'Expressive' = High Saturation, 'Pin Hole' = adding a vignette, 'Elegant', 'Pure', 'Retro' ... the list goes on! Needless to say, you need some time to play around with these and of course the effect has to be suitable to the subject and lighting for best results. At the end of the day, is it any good? Well if you're a compact camera person that does not like to bother with your own processing in the computer, then you'll enjoy this.

Said 'arty' film and colour features are a bit better than the quality of the images produced by your iPhone but you have to remember that the computer in the camera is most likely not employing non-destructive editing processes so the resulting quality is not going to match what you can achieve by running your image files through Photoshop. If atmosphere is desired over image quality, then the aforementioned case won't be an issue. For casual, informal snaps it will be hard to top this camera. The kids will love it! You will get a decent, workable image from it in almost any lighting condition. Anyone want to buy a good second-hand Canon G9 then???

Photo: Shot in JPEG using the in-camera 'Film Grain' effect which converts the image to Black and White and adds a heavy, chunky grain. I thought it worked well for this subject and I was content with the result. Looked great on the camera's LCD but on closer scrutiny in the computer I was less happy. I opened it in ACR and pulled back the shadows a bit (why ARC? I thought that making any adjustment to contrast in 16bit would not further degrade the already seriously over-edited file). See the original file HERE and compare. I had to call myself aside to remind myself that I was shooting with a compact and not an SLR. Once I got over that, I was fine. For serious photographers that demand crisp quality images, that will always be the biggest obstacle to overcome ... get over it or stick with your SLR.

These two directly from the camera without adjustment. The LX5 'Film Grain' effect has a tendency to cook the shadows a little too much for my taste.

Tutankhamun at the RDS

2011-06-19T22:35:00.001+01:00

This morning, after a sunrise photo shoot on the Bricklieve Mountains in Sligo, my son and I went to Dublin to see the Tutankhamun exhibition at the RDS. I've been a big fan of Ancient Egyptian Art for many years but I've never been to Egypt. Although all the items in the exhibition are replicas, it gave a very authentic account of the most famous archaeological find in history and the circumstances of it's discovery. Expensive I thought, then this is Ireland, worth a visit on a rainy day if you have an interest in Ancient Egypt.

Photo: Photography allowed, but no flash! Easy to see why as the whole exhibition is in virtual darkness from a photographers point-of-view. I resorted to a 50mm f/1.4 prime lens for the few shots I took but enjoyed the challenge of it all. ISO 1000. 1/80 @ f/2.5

LX5 Test Drive - RAW

2011-06-18T12:37:00.001+01:00

Random street shot taken with the LX5 while walking. If you are using PS5, you'll discover that it's necessary to download and install the most current plug-in for Adobe Camera RAW (6.4.1). This will enable CS5 to read the Panasonic RW2 Raw file format. I must say, I was very surprised with the quality of the captured image which was not very impressive when viewed on the camera's LCD display. Rightly or wrongly, apart from the upgraded sensor in the LX5, I feel the modest pixel count of 10 mega-pixels, is a definite advantage. Interestingly, the race to cram more pixels into the sensors of compact and bridge cameras seems to be at an end and manufacturers are putting greater emphasis on enhancing the sensors ability to capture light in the most challenging environments - places where the compact camera currently cannot compete with a digital SLR. The LX5 is a vast improvement on my Canon G9 in this regard although I am aware that Canon have been active in sensor upgrades of which the current G12 is the beneficiary. Not going to harp on about this but I like the feel of the LX5 and it is fully loaded with a lot of creative shooting modes that are visually appealing. In the weeks ahead, I might deal with some of these in more detail here. For now, I hope you all have a good weekend. T

LX5 Test Drive

2011-06-17T00:47:00.004+01:00

I'm currently test-driving the Panasonic Lumix LX5, seriously excellent pro-pocket camera. I'm rediscovering the beauty of JPEG and loving it! This is a serious street photographers camera and at the moment a favourite over the Canon G12.

Photo: I'm standing on the platform of Carrick-on-Shannon railway station looking into the convex mirror at the end of the track which is covered in bird shit. Camera set to iA (intelligent Auto) mode. The 1:1 format is done in-camera but I did indulge in a 'lomo' action to grunge this up a bit for effect. Apart from holding the camera, it's the technology that's doing the work here.

ps - apologies, I'm doing some digital 'Lomo' workshops at the moment so current work is in that exaggerated contrast zone.

Lunar Eclipse Boyle

2011-06-16T00:31:00.003+01:00

A respectable gathering assembled at the Gaelic Chieftain just outside Boyle this evening to view the lunar eclipse. Personally, such events don't hold a great deal of interest for me, however my 9 year old son was most anxious to witness this fairly rare phenomenon. At about 10.15pm, a crescent moon began to materialise through a haze covered horizon, we didn't see the total eclipse at all. It was very subtle at first but gradually it brightened as it climbed into the night sky. Over the subsequent 50 minutes or so, the shadow cast by the Earth on the surface of the moon receded until it eventually disappeared to reveal a bright full-moon. Although it was a pleasure to stand there for an hour or so in the cold to witness the event, it was not as dramatic as I had hoped. I believe it was to be much more dramatic in the Eastern parts of the country. None the less, I was grateful for the clear sky and absence of rain and I'm sure it will be very memorable for my son too.

Photo: A single exposure. I wasn't bothered trying to shoot the moon on it's own in the sky, instead I wanted to record the scene and light as accurately as it existed. Shot with a 70-200mm lens @ 155mm simply resting it on the tripod. ISO 800. 1/80 @ f/2.8. Focusing on the foreground area with a wide aperture, I was content to sacrifice the detail on the surface of the moon.

Young Art Teachers of the future

2011-06-12T21:48:00.000+01:00

The National College of Art & Design in Dublin opened their graduate show on Friday evening. I was delighted to be there to wish this group of young art teachers, who graduated from the Faculty of Education, the very best of luck for the future. Have a look at their catalogue HERE.

Gallery of Photography - Dublin

2011-06-12T21:28:00.000+01:00

Graduates from Dublin Institute of Technology are currently having their annual show at the Gallery of Photography in Temple Bar, Dublin. I visited the show on Friday. As always, it's worth look to see the direction the landscape of Irish photography is taking. While there, I took this shot through the window which looks out on what used to be a very nice square that led to the National Photographic Archive. At the moment, as you can see, it is very much an archaeological excavation.

Archaeologists uncovered a Viking settlement, on what was once an island in here. Two Viking homes were found during excavations at Meeting House Square in advance of building work at the site. It is believed the settlement was built on an island in the River Poddle in the 10th or 11th century before it was destroyed by flood waters. A number of pottery artefacts from a later date have also been discovered during the dig, which began in late April this year. Four large retractable umbrellas are to be built at the site for shelter during outdoor events. The dig is expected to last six weeks.

Summer in Dublin

2011-06-12T17:33:00.003+01:00

Located at the top of Parliament Street on the city's southern side, Dublin's City Hall stands next to Dublin Castle, the centre of British government in Ireland until 1922. The street had been built in 1753, providing a continuation of Capel Street on the north bank of the Liffey, across the newly widened Essex Bridge, and so the exchange ended (and still ends) a long streetscape.

The large size and fine fittings of the Royal exchange, with carved capitals by Simon Vierpyl, and plasterwork by the leading stuccodore Charles Thorpe, reflect the standing and prestige of Dublin in the 18th Century. The neo-classical building contains a central entrance hall or Rotunda, with a large dome supported by twelve columns which is surrounded by an ambulatory where the merchants strolled and discussed business meetings.

The building was restored to its 18th-century appearance at the beginning of the 21st century, and Dublin City Council has won awards for the conservation of this historic building.

Most Dublin City Council staff are located in the relatively new and controversial Civic Offices, built from 1979 on the site of a national monument, the Viking city foundations on Wood Quay.

Dublin Corporation itself was renamed in the early 21st century as Dublin City Council, previously the name of the assembly of councillors only. Council meetings take place in City Hall.

Jump-Ball

2011-06-02T17:21:00.000+01:00

A great evening's entertainment had yesterday when Boyle U8's and U10's played East Harps under the gaze of Keashcorran Mountain, Co. Sligo. Despite the presence of one of the darkest skies I've seen this year so far, the thunder and rain stayed away. The light was stunning and the backdrop of the dramatic sky was exceptional. All the young men and women of both teams gave an excellent performance. Fair play to players and their coaching staff.

Not Another Fashion Book!

2011-06-01T22:59:00.003+01:00

The library at NCAD has the finest collection of books on the Visual Arts in Ireland. The photography section alone would fill the shelves of most regional County Libraries. In these days of computers and the internet, it's very refreshing and enlightening to spend time here and thumb through the pages of some exceptional books by some of the finest artists and photographers on the planet. Today was one of those days, a brief interlude at a time of madness and hysteria in the academic year.

The Gallery

2011-05-27T21:41:00.000+01:00

In the context of the 2011 National Year of Craft, the National College of Art and Design Gallery presented an exhibition of new work by textile designer and lecturer in Textiles at NCAD, Nigel Graham Cheney. ‘Gone to the Dogs’ brings together Cheney’s most recent work, a group of intricately embroidered and quilted textile prints. These richly coloured works feature images of decommissioned banknotes and purebred dogs, reflecting upon associations of value and speculation and playing on notions of the counterfeit. While celebrating the beauty and detail of the imagery of these, decommissioned banknotes, Cheney’s heavily hand-worked surfaces also invest a new value into the objects.

This exhibition showcases a body of work that treads a line between craft, fine art and design. The work exploits both hand operated and computer driven machinery, placing it at the centre of current debates around the role of technology in contemporary craft practice. However, The ‘hand-made’ is also an essential element in this work, with the hundreds of hours spent stitching each piece clearly in evidence.

The exhibition closes this Monday 30th May.

Showing Off ... Again!

2011-05-27T00:03:00.000+01:00

An out-take from a bit of photo-fun in the garden a few weeks ago. Sometimes models can be very uncooperative and cantankerous!

Photo: Not staged, caught them like this while making exposure adjustments. A blend of two separate exposures, the first with the two children propped on ladders and the second, with no little people or ladders in the frame. In PS the first shot was brought in on top of the second as a layer and a layer-mask added. Subsequently, the area of the ladder supporting the girl is removed to reveal the empty landscape on the background layer. A very simple but effective technique which can be exploited greatly for creative effect.

Forest Fire in Cornameeltha

2011-05-26T15:06:00.001+01:00

For many years I've been very content living pretty much in the middle of a modest hardwood forest on the side of the Curlew Mountains. These past two years however, have shattered whatever romantic illusion I harboured of a peaceful and tranquil existence here. April is fast becoming the month of fire here in Ireland and those living in close proximity to woodland are particularly vulnerable. For the second year in a row, the forestry about my home has come close, too close to threatening flames. We are lucky to have very vigilant neighbours and an efficient and dedicated fire service, but often when pitched against the roaring flames of a woodland fire, in the absence of a local water supply, there is limitations to what can be done. The shot above was taken during a forest fire beside my home this year, the jumping flames and dancing sparks were a sight to behold but for the mercy of the prevailing winds, that ensemble of fire-fighting vehicles would be at my front door!

A view down the driveway looking across the road to the fire that burns through the forestry beyond.

Is Féidir linn, Mr. President!!

2011-05-24T06:12:00.001+01:00

Monday - 23rd May 2011. I didn't get to see the big man today but he certainly made a big impression on the crowd that stood about in the wind and rain on College Green, Dublin to hear his encouraging words. The queue started forming at 11am this morning and by 2pm, when the barriers opened to allow people proceed to College Green, it extended all the way back to Christ Church Cathedral. Unfortunately, because I had a rucksack, I was not allowed onto College Green so contented myself with a few shots of the waiting crowd before proceeding to the railway station and home. Must say, it looked like people were really getting into the swing of things, young and old gathered to share and embrace this historic event.

West Coast Sea Study

2011-05-23T05:35:00.000+01:00

Since Easter, the weather here seems to have turned, we were spoiled with sunshine in April but where has it got ... and will we see it again ... this side of Christmas? We are promised winds of up to 140km over the next two days, time to put the garden furniture in again. President Obama visits our shores in the morning, I wish him the very best of luck and hope he enjoys his brief stay.

Photo: 10-20mm lens @ 10mm. ISO 100. 25 second exposure @ f/16. I used a B+W 10 stop filter to get that slow shutter speed.

This unusual house is built into the hillside in the vicinity of Inishbofin Harbour. I have mixed feelings about it's design and location. I guess on one level, I admire the boldness of it's form and colour but on the other hand I'm asking how the hell they got planning permission and am a bit upset about the apparent lack of consideration for the surrounding landscape. When I reconcile my position on this, I'll let you know.

Photo: 17-55mm lens @ 55mm. ISO 100. 1/200 @ f/9.

Sunny Day in Galway Bay

2011-05-22T00:51:00.000+01:00

The Inishbofin Ferry service runs between the island and Cleggan, Co. Galway two or three times daily, depending on the season. The crossing is about 40 minutes (give or take). Give me boats any day over flying!

Photo: Ferry leaving the island for Cleggan. 70-200mm lens @ 170mm. ISO 200. 1/1600 @ f/4

Inishbofin Grotto

2011-05-21T00:04:00.000+01:00

Known locally as 'The Grotto', this spectacular 'blow-hole' is situated in the West Quarter of Inishbofin. This one is unusual because not only can you walk down into it, the sun also shines directly to the bottom, illuminating the gapping hole for about an hour each day. Above you can see the eroded passage out to the sea, the blue area in the mid-distance is light entering from a second 'blow-hole', a short distance away to the North. While taking this shot, a large seal came up the passage to the rock in the distance, stuck it's head up, then disappeared. A really beautiful place, shot in perfect weather and light. I'm guessing it would not have the same visual impact on a dull day.

Photo: Shot in bright sunlight. 10-20mm wide-angle lens @ 16mm. This is a 3 frame, in-camera multiple exposure. ISO 100. 30 seconds (x3 = 90 seconds). f/13. A B+W 10 stop filter was used to achieve the slow shutter speed.

On the subject of 'grottos', here's one taken of an old wreck on the beach.

Inishbofin Harbour

2011-05-20T08:08:00.001+01:00

The 'Blue Hour' is a very special time of the day, particularly for strobist photographers. However, the location and subject matter are very important. It's not without it's challenges, metering can be problematic as the light can change dramatically in a matter of minutes ... even seconds. I must say, I love this kind of challenge though and would encourage others to give it a go. A tripod is essential, a remote shutter release is useful too and while you're at it, bring some gloves and a hip-flask (provided you don't have to drive of course!).

Photo: This shot was taken during a walk on Inishbofin at the weekend, the shot I was hunting for didn't happen so I headed for home. Initially I wasn't bothered about it as the light was fading fast, and I didn't think the scene terribly interesting. In fact, compositionally, it wouldn't stand up to criticism but I think the light is noteworthy, if only as a sample.

Single exposure. 17-55mm lens. ISO 100. 13 seconds @ f/8.

You may notice that my 365 has ceased to be, I just found it impossible to meet the demands of daily posts and must admit defeat. However, I intend to keep the blog going with the intention of making 'almost' daily posts whenever I can.

Anticipating Sunrise

2011-05-19T09:21:00.002+01:00

At the weekend, a contingent of photographers from Boyle Camera Club headed for Inishbofin, an island off the coast of Galway. At 4am on Saturday morning, we braved the elements on a quest to photograph the sunrise. After finding a suitable location, we waited patiently for it's arrival ... but it never really materialised. Instead it rained. Not to be too put-off, during our retreat, I attempted to capture the moment for posterity. As it turned out, the day that followed was one of the best so far this year. My gratitude to all club members that participated, it was a very memorable trip.

Photo: Single exposure using a 2 stop ND Grad. ISO 100. 5 seconds @ f/22.

The Queen Visits Dublin

2011-05-17T20:05:00.001+01:00

I just happened to be there, waiting to get across the road to catch the train home.

249/365

2011-05-05T23:48:00.005+01:00

On this day in 1821, Emperor Napoleon I dies in exile on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.

An experimental 'Blue Hour' shot, taken in haste on the platform of Boyle Railway Station. The sky was full of promise as I drove home this evening so attempted to make the most of it. There was little margin for error here, I set it up as best I could predicting that the train would come on the nearest track ... alas, t'was not to be. I used a 3-stop tobacco ND Grad to bring out the reds in the clouds and off-camera speed-light to kill the shadows on the building to the left. Fellow camera club member, Joe Kennedy, arrived on the scene for some company and additional low-light experimental work.

Photo: ISO 400. 1/4 @ f/5.

It's the technology ... sometimes it will give you the shot, sometimes it won't. It's the often unpredictable nature of the medium that keeps me coming back for more.

248/365

2011-05-04T16:00:00.006+01:00

On this day last year, Pablo Picasso's "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust" sold for $106.5 million.

Climbing Croagh Patrick is the Irishman's Mecca, you have to do it at least once in your lifetime! My son and I climbed it again recently on a warm but cloudy day. None the less, the experience is always worth it.

Tips for the uninitiated;

Climb Early - start about 9am, shortly thereafter, it can get congested with climbers, Summer and Winter!
Rent a stick for €2.00, you'll be glad you did on the descent and you get your €2.00 back when you return the stick. Photographers can use a mono-pod as I do when I climb.
Wear decent shoes ... and proper socks!! I recommend 'Bridgedale' socks, they're the business for any kind of walking. Also bring a jumper and light rain gear - weather is very changeable.
You'll need at least one litre of water, climbing is thirsty work. While you're at it, put 2 Mars bars and a banana in the sack as well.
Allow at least 2.5 hours to get up at a comfortable pace ... unless you are being paid or want to die early, take your time, rest often, admire the view and thank your God you are alive to take in the wonderful view. Try not to sit down until you get to the top.
At the top, have a decent rest. Look around the site, you've earned it. Spend about 20 minutes there, any longer and you'll be getting cold. Take pictures to brag and prove to friends you made it to the top!
Allow about an hour and twenty minutes to get down, this is the most difficult part of the climb.
When you make it down, give back your stick and head for Campbell's for well earned pint's of stout. Call a friend to bring you home.

244/365

2011-04-30T00:48:00.002+01:00

On this day in 1789, George Washington took office as first elected U.S. president.
In 30 a.d. a man known as Jesus of Nazareth was allegedly crucified.

243/365

2011-04-29T20:21:00.002+01:00

On this day in 1916, Irish nationalists surrendered to British authorities in Dublin.

I recently spent some time on the West coast of Mayo in the Louisburg area. I'll be posting a few images from the trip in the coming weeks. This shot was taken behind the harbour at Oldhead looking out towards Clear Island.

Photo: The tide was coming in and made dramatic wave-splashes against the rocky shore, although this experimental long-exposure disguises the energy of the wave activity.
In-camera Multiple exposure. 10 x 30 second exposures @ f/11. ISO 100. Set-up includes B+W 10 stop filter.

'World Press Photo Award' winner Tim Hetherington dies in Libya

2011-04-21T08:56:00.006+01:00

Tim Hetherington, photojournalist, filmmaker, and Vanity Fair contributing photographer, was killed yesterday while covering the conflict in Misrata, Libya. Three other journalists were also hit in an R.P.G. attack, one being Getty photographer Chris Hondros (Robert Capa Gold Medal Award in 2006) who has subsequently died from his injuries, photographer Guy Martin, of the Panos Agency, who is in very serious condition; and a freelancer, Michael Brown, who is slightly wounded.

The U.K.-born, Brooklyn-based Hetherington, 40, who had dual British and American citizenship, was best known for his work in Afghanistan, much of it shot for Vanity Fair. In 2007, he won the coveted World Press Photo of the Year Award for his coverage of American soldiers in the Korengal Valley—one of four World Press prizes he received. Those assignments in Afghanistan served as the basis of the 2010 Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo, which he directed with Vanity Fair contributor (and his longtime journalistic collaborator) Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm. The film was recognized for its decidedly apolitical approach to the war. Hetherington also created short films about the G.I.’s he encountered in the Korengal and released a book of photographs, Infidel, examining the lives of the men of a battle company of the 173rd Airborne.

Hetherington was widely respected by his peers for his bravery and camaraderie. His imaginative, even artistic, approach to photojournalistic subjects led to many honors, including a fellowship from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts, as well as grant from the Hasselbald Foundation. He released two other films, Liberia: An Uncivil War (2004) and The Devil Came on Horseback (2007).

Tim Hetherington's 2007 World Press Photo Award winning image of an exhausted American soldier in a bunker in Afghanistan.

234/365

2011-04-20T20:49:00.001+01:00

On this day in 1902, Scientists Marie and Pierre Curie isolated the radioactive element radium.

The Glasshouse Hotel in Sligo, viewed from the Hyde Bridge. It's not long ago since this site was occupied by the Silver Swan Hotel, I remember the place very well. I was in Sligo last Monday evening for the Blue Hour, scouting for some locations for a low-light photo shoot. Must say, I found the job challenging. That said, the place is not without it's appeal and there are some very suitable spots. I didn't venture about too much but I'm guessing you might see some more of this building in the coming months.

Photo: Using a 10-20mm wide-angle lens on tripod, I approached the shot in my preferred 'landscape' format, vertical compositions rarely have appeal for me. I subsequently went for a square crop. The building barely squeezed into the frame, I'd have preferred to have more of the pier at the bottom. All part of the learning. Light was also fading fast, my advice if you're going to shoot here; do it with light in the sky, ask the manager to put on the lights in all the rooms and get the guests to wave their underpants out the windows - that would do it for me!

ISO 100. A single 13 second exposure @ f/8.

Tip; I'm often asked why I simply don't use the lens minimum aperture for this kind of shot. The answer is this; firstly, a lens rarely performs at it best using the smallest aperture and second, smaller apertures have a tendency to make unsightly flare anomalies about bright lights. I will usually experiment with various apertures to find a happy medium between broad depth of field and controlling lens flare anomalies.

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2011-04-15T19:40:00.004+01:00

On this day in 1912, The ocean liner Titanic sank at 2:27 a.m. in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg the evening before. 1,517 people died and more than 700 people survived.

The village of Ardagh lies to the south east of Longford town and owes its name to the diocese in which the greater part of the county is situated. It is said that St. Patrick founded a church here in the 5th century and installed St. Mel as bishop. The ancient ruins of Saint Mel's Cathedral are near the present Church of Ireland and St. Mel himself is said to be buried within the walls. Ardagh is a very attractive Estate Village and its distinctive architecture as a planned estate has led to its designation as a Heritage Village. It has featured regularly in the forefront of the National Tidy Towns Awards.

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2011-04-12T11:11:00.001+01:00

On this day in 1606, England adopted the original Union Jack as its flag.

Fallow deer have been present in Phoenix Park, Dublin since the seventeenth century when they were hunted for sport by the gentry of the day. The present-day herd is descended from those deer who were chased for enjoyment and hunted for food.

They are wild animals, and their relationship with man has sometimes been a stormy one, like when calls were made to remove the animals to a special enclosure so twentieth-century motorists could drive through the park on the way to somewhere else without having deer wandering the roads and precipitating accidents.

In fact, their wanderings during the Second World War and pressure on space in general in Phoenix Park saw most of 1,200 herd members being officially shot dead. Just thirty-eight animals constituted the herd, following the 1942 cull.

Some 200 fawns can be born each year in Phoenix Park. By 2005, the herd had grown to some 800 animals once more and a major reduction was ordered by the Office of Public Works. Some 350 animals were to be killed to reduce the herd to a manageable size of 450 animals once more. A deer population of this size was regarded as the maximum carrying capacity of the park. The cull was to be carried out over a number of years taking into account the number of healthy or infirm specimens that are extant from each year of birth.

Text courtesy of Phoenix Park.

Photo: 70-200mm lens @ 200mm. ISO 400. 1/2500 @ f/2.8

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2011-04-11T22:23:00.004+01:00

On this day in 1998, Northern Ireland's biggest political party, the Ulster Unionists, announced its backing of the historic peace deal.

Boyle U-10 GAA Football Team 2011

In training for the All-Ireland Football Championship 2022

I watched the lads play in a football blitz last Sunday and was amazed to see how far they've come this past two years. Enthusiasm, skill and effective team work was in abundance. My gratitude to Ciaran and Odran for the fine job they are doing.

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2011-04-10T22:53:00.002+01:00

On this day in 1912, The Titanic set sail from Southampton, England.

"What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure."

Gene Perret

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2011-04-09T21:04:00.004+01:00

On this day in 1865, At Appomattox Court House, Virginia, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate Army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in the parlor of William McClean's home. Grant allowed Rebel officers to keep their sidearms and permitted soldiers to keep their horses and mules. Though there were still Confederate armies in the field, the war was officially over. The four years of fighting had killed 360,000 Union troops and 260,000 Confederate troops.

The sale of hot chestnuts on the street is a popular trade in Italy. Unlike Ireland with it's late-night chippers and Chinese take-aways, the Italians seem to have a different take on fast food. It's worth mentioning also that you'll go a long way to find a 'public house' in the Irish sense of the word. In Italy, you can buy a beer to drink on the street, in a cafe or restaurant, but there are very few establishments devoted souly to the activity of 'drinking'. Maybe there's a link between the absence of pubs and the number of late night chip shops:-)

Photo: Taken in Rome. Very poor lighting conditions here, there were no street-lights. The light from the chestnut seller's stall looked all the more inviting and dramatic as a result. On holiday, I just use a single, light and compact lens which is slow compared to some of the others I use. The shot is hand held, so I first decided on a 1/60 shutter speed. With my aperture fully open at f/5, I was able to get the ISO to come in at 1000. The result however is a little softer than I'm used to getting and I struggled with focusing. That said, I was pleased with the atmosphere which reflected the scene accurately and sometimes that's simply good enough.

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2011-04-07T22:41:00.006+01:00

On this day in 1970, John Wayne won his first and only Oscar for his role in "True Grit." He had been in over 200 films. The Coen Brothers have made their own version which is currently in Irish cinemas. Give me John Wayne any day!

I took this photo a few days ago when I was driving back to my home-town of Ballina in Co. Mayo to attend the funeral of my Uncle Tommy who tragically drown in the River Moy while searching for the son of one of his close friends who had fallen into the river days before and had not been found.

My Uncle was an unassuming man, easy going and a very popular Ballina man. Like tens of thousands of his generation in the recession that constituted the 1970's, he left home to work abroad but returned some ten year ago to settle back in Ballina. One of my earliest memories of Tommy goes back to my being pulled from the River Moy as a child and being brought back to my Grandmother's house where I was stood, naked, on a chair to be dried-off. I remember nothing of the incident except my Uncle, then in his teens, talking to me sympathetically to help me get over the shock. Some time later, I remember him coming home from abroad and giving me the full Republic of Ireland kit, socks and all, when such things were rare in Ballina. I think I wore that jersey until the threads that held it together burst.

Tommy was a gifted footballer in his youth, his friends would often tell me 'he was as good as George Best' if it wasn't for his carefree nature and fondness for a few pints. I knew little of his life since he came back home to Ballina. He lived in Barrett St. the home of his birth, worked locally as a barman and maintained a passion for sport ... horses, GAA and soccer, he was a dedicated Arsenal fan and there was no length he wouldn't go to to attend Republic of Ireland games, at home and abroad.

I never realised the impression and influence Tommy had on so many people's lives until I witnessed the file of friends that came to pay their last respects ... a fitting testament to his generosity of spirit and kindness. I know he brought great joy to the lives of others and placed great value in friendship more than anything else. I hope that where ever Tommy now resides that they have cable TV and a well stocked bar to tend. Farewell T, you are missed by more people that you realised.

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2011-04-06T20:13:00.009+01:00

On this day in 1916, Charlie Chaplin became the highest-paid film star in the world when he signed a contract with Mutual Film Corporation for $675,000 a year. He was 26 years old.

On Saturday evening, I joined a few friends from Boyle for an experimental low-light photo shoot in Dublin. The lads spent a very productive day on the street before we met en route to the Samual Beckett Bridge. One of the biggest thunder storms this year marked our arrival, the rain and hailstones bounced off the ground in dramatic fashion. The light left a lot to be desired but we made the most of it. We stuck to two locations mainly, firstly the aforementioned bridge and later about the Grand Canal Theatre.
The theatre was designed by McCauley Daye O'Connell Architects in collaboration with world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. This iconic 2000-seat Theatre building forms the striking centrepiece of the Grand Canal Square development in the Dublin Docklands. The new waterfront public piazza has been designed by Boston based Landscape architect Martha Schwartz as a dramatic ‘red carpet’ sweeping up to the Theatre entrance. If you haven't visited this very special building, you should do so. Impressive during the day, it comes alive at night although I found it challenging to photograph on this particular occasion. Well worth a re-run though.
My sincere gratitude to Joe for organising the event, we had a great oul time. I look forward to the next installment.

Photo: Single frame, camera on tripod with low view-point. Lens is a wide-angle 10-20mm @ 10mm. ISO 100. 30 second exposure @ f/18. Tweaked in ACR, otherwise it's pretty much 'off the camera'.

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2011-03-21T21:37:00.001Z

On this day in 1963, Alcatraz Island, the federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, CA, closed.

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2011-03-20T18:33:00.000Z

On this day in 1963, The first "Pop Art" exhibit began in New York City.