Author: Donncha

  • A mural on Tucky Street

    A brightly coloured mural showing a man running, a woman reading and Shandon Bells. A light is visible and a pub sign for Murphy's Stout

    Behind a closed gate, you’ll find a lovely mural on a wall in Tucky Street. Look more closely at the pillars beneath it, and you’ll see they belonged to the library a long time ago!


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length75mm
    ISO4000
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • No bikes for the rich

    In the window of a tax consultants office, who say they are "wealth advisers", there's a sign saying "No bicycle". The word "parking" is intentionally left out.

    A “NO BICYCLE PARKING” sign in the window of a tax consultants, warns young people they shouldn’t lock their bikes to the railing outside.

    Actually understandable, as there’s a school next door..


    Apertureƒ/4
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length75mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • Cork City Skyline

    Shannon Bells rises above the rooftops

    Instantly recognisable to anyone in Cork. Shandon Bells rises above the rooftops.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length150mm
    ISO2000
    Shutter speed1/320s

  • Qween at the Regatta

    Qween on stage in Cobh.

    Qween rocked Cobh on Sunday night, the last night of the Cobh People’s Regatta 2023. They’re an outstanding Queen tribute band, and they played all the hits, and soon had everyone singing along, dancing and cheering to the music. A short break in the middle of the set was required for the fireworks at 10pm, but the music started up shortly afterwards to the delight of everyone around.

    Alas, I had to leave then. I was up early the next morning, but I can’t wait to see them play again!


    Apertureƒ/5
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length58mm
    ISO5000
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • The fireworks of Cobh People’s Regatta 2023

    Fireworks light up the sky

    The Cobh People’s Regatta took place last weekend and the town was hopping. We enjoyed the live music, getting up close to the stage to watch Qween rock the place.

    Shortly after 10pm, the fireworks went off, and we rushed over to the water’s edge by the pier to watch the spectacle.

    I didn’t have time to set up my camera, tripod and remote release, so I watched the fireworks for a few moments, enjoying myself. Not content with being a passive watcher, I decided to have a go at shooting them handheld.

    The exposure time couldn’t be too long, or the photo would be very shaky, and the sensor had to be sensitive enough to capture the light of the explosions in the sky. I decided on the following settings:

    • 0.5 to 1 second exposure.
    • f/4 to f/6.3 aperture, depending on zoom.
    • ISO 400 ensures the sensor picks up the light.

    The fireworks were only just offshore, so maybe 200m away from me, and I found these settings worked really well! I kept one eye open and that helped me see what the camera was capturing and see what was about to happen. I shot handheld, so I was able to adapt more quickly to low or high fireworks and I really enjoyed the illumination!


    Apertureƒ/6.3
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length128mm
    ISO400
    Shutter speed1/2s

  • The Eiffel Tower at Sunset

    The Eiffel Tower in Paris at sunset a few days ago. Crowds throng the garden looking towards the tower waiting for the light show at 10pm

    The Eiffel Tower garden is thronged with people watching the sun set behind the massive structure. The sky was clear and it was a hot night. People were sitting in almost every available space waiting for the light show that made the Tower sparkle on the hour.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length31mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/8s

  • The Red Ger

    The text "GER" from the name "SINGER", a garment alternation centre in the middle of Cork City.

    The text “GER” from the name “SINGER”, a garment alteration centre in the middle of Cork City.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length75mm
    ISO5000
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • Betting on the horses

    A woman takes a receipt after placing a bet at a horse race. The bookie stands on a platform, with a screen and umbrella protecting him.

    A woman collects a receipt after making a bet at the Dingle races last year.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length24mm
    ISO1600
    Shutter speed1/1000s

  • Gougane Barra Reflections

    The chapel on the island at Gougane Barra is reflected in the waters of the lake there. Bushes and trees surround it and a mountain takes up the background

    The small chapel in Gougane Barra early one morning when the water of the lake there is almost motionless.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length45mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed13s

  • A breakwater on a calm evening

    The breakwater protecting boats in Ballycotton harbour lies in shadow as the setting sun shines down behind it.

    The breakwater in Ballycotton Harbour on a calm evening recently when Blarney Photography Club visited to photograph the area.

    The setting sun casts a shadow on the inside of the obstruction, but the sea is almost motionless, with barely a breeze to disturb it.


    Apertureƒ/9
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length57mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/800s

  • A forest in the ruins

    Trees grow up amid the ruins of a building. Only the walls and some foundations are left but slender trunks snake skyward to a green canopy.

    Amid the solemn remnants of a once-sturdy edifice, nature reclaims its dominion as elegant trees emerge from the heart of the ruins. Time has crumbled the walls and worn away the foundations, leaving behind a hauntingly beautiful tableau. The delicate yet resilient trunks of these trees writhe upwards like sinuous dancers, their journey culminating in a verdant embrace that forms a living canopy above.

    This evocative scene unfolds within the historic locale of the Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig. Here, the convergence of human ingenuity and nature’s inexorable advance creates a poignant contrast, as the tenacious growth of the trees emerges amidst the tangible echoes of a forgotten past. The rustle of leaves in the breeze and the interplay of sunlight and shadow across the time-worn stones stir the senses, transporting the observer to a realm where time’s tapestry weaves together the threads of creation and decay.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length16mm
    ISO400
    Shutter speed6s

  • Across the Nano Nagle Bridge

    A footbridge called Nano Nagle Bridge crosses the River Lee. The river runs underneath in this photo. Trees are visible on the right. Buildings all around.

    This footbridge was built in the 80s and is an indispensable connection between Grand Parade and Sullivan’s Quay in Cork.

    Seeing the trees in this photo reminded me that there aren’t many trees in the City Centre any more. 🙁


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length75mm
    ISO1600
    Shutter speed1/500s