The Building of Opera Lane and Boots

A street-level view showing pedestrians walking past Le Chateau Bar, with its distinctive yellow wall mural and outdoor seating area. Behind the bar, the ongoing construction of the steel-framed building is visible, with construction cranes in the background against a blue sky.
A construction site on a rainy day in an urban setting, showing a steel frame structure being built behind blue construction barriers marked "BOWEN." In the foreground is a wet cobblestone street with green bollards, and to the left is a red-painted building with "Murphy's" signage.

You have to go all the way back to 2008 to see the building of Opera Lane., in Cork. Google Maps only goes back to 2009 on Patrick’s Street, where you can see some construction work, but Emmett Place isn’t covered until 2010 when construction had completed.

Turn around and there’s the modern site of Boots on the corner of Paul Street and Half Moon Street.


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraCanon EOS 40D
Focal length10mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/1000s

Cosmic Bubbles Meet Electric Candy Floss Trees

One of the nice things about Wonderlights was how they used the natural surroundings as part of the display. The electric trees and sign in the background were eye catching, but what piqued my interest here was the light highlighting the branches and autumn leaves of the tree in front!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length32mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/2.5s

Flowers and lasers at Fota House

I went to Wonderlights in Fota House last night with others from Blarney Photography Club and, despite the rain and mud, we were blown away by the light show, especially over the pond where lasers cut through the dry ice fog over brightly lit flowers on the water’s surface.

It’s a bit pricey at €25+booking fee, but it’s spectacular and worth it.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length26mm
ISO2000
Shutter speed1/20s

DMode at Cyprus Avenue

A concert stage scene with white spotlights illuminating a performer in a black outfit. A large projection screen shows a portrait in the background, while keyboard equipment and band members are visible on stage. The lighting creates stark beam effects through the hazy atmosphere.
A close-up shot of a performer in a black jacket singing passionately into a microphone against a vibrant blue background. His arm is raised in an expressive gesture and his face shows intense emotion during the performance.
A performer stands in silhouette with arms outstretched against an intense green lighting display. Stage equipment and "DMODE" signage are visible in the background, while light beams cut through atmospheric haze creating dramatic rays.

DMode, Depeche Mode Experience, is a Depeche Mode tribute band. They played in Cyprus Avenue on Saturday night. As expected, most of the audience was a bit older, around my own age, or older. Well, Depeche Mode have been around for a while!

I learned that I really don’t know anything but Depeche Mode’s major hits. The rest of the audience were fans and sang along and had a blast. If you love Depeche Mode, you’ll love DMode!


Apertureƒ/1.7
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length6.3mm
ISO320
Shutter speed1/50s

Christmas Lights and Light Trails

A scooter swerved in front of my camera just as I took a photo of Oliver Plunkett Street tonight. I wonder if it was the rider’s intention to ruin the photo, but they made it much better. 🙂

Thanks Henry for organising the night out!


Apertureƒ/14
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length61mm
ISO100
Shutter speed3.2s

Follow the Fluffy Leader

A lady bringing her two dogs for a walk had to deal with one being more enthusiastic than the other. I don’t remember if I had Diego with me this day when I photographed them, but that lead dog certainly didn’t want to dilly-dally. He had places to go! Important things to do! 🙂


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO160
Shutter speed1/500s

A Kitten’s dreams

One of the cats I spotted in Istanbul was this little one, a kitten, sitting on the wall near the graveyard where so many other cats were lounging. He seems young, and his face shows he has already been in trouble, I think, with small cuts on his nose. It’s a tough life for an outdoor cat.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length132mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/500s

The Night Cat

A cat we came across as we walked back to our hotel one night in Istanbul. I got the impression this cat was tough as nails. He looked back at me, but then continued to walk on, and disappeared behind a fence. Another cat came out to greet us while this one went off into the shadows.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length35mm
ISO12800
Shutter speed1/100s