Author: Donncha

  • The Labour of Cork

    Posters on a building show the work involved in harvesting Cork off trees. A man walks past.

    A man walks past large posters on a wall showing the labour required to harvest cork, in Palafrugell, Spain.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length16mm
    ISO500
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • A near miss

    A woman crossing the road waves nervously at an ambulance that went through a red light to an emergency

    As a woman was crossing the road, she noticed an ambulance approaching with its sirens blaring. The ambulance had broken a red light but wasn’t driving particularly fast. She looked both ways and realized she had the right of way and could continue walking across the road.

    As the ambulance got closer, she waved nervously at the driver to let him know she was aware of his presence. The ambulance driver slowed down and came to a stop just a few feet away from the woman. She continued on her way, feeling relieved that the driver had been paying attention and had stopped in time.

    She couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the ambulance driver, who had taken the time to slow down and stop for her, even though he was on his way to an emergency. She continued on her way, grateful for the safe and uneventful crossing.

    Thanks ChatGPT. Here’s the overly dramatic first version of this post it created for me!

    As a woman was crossing the road, she suddenly heard the blaring sirens of an ambulance behind her. She turned around to see the ambulance rushing towards her at full speed, and she knew that she had to act quickly.

    The woman’s heart started racing as she realized the danger she was in. The ambulance was coming at her so fast that she had no time to think. Her instinct was to run, but she knew that could be even more dangerous. Instead, she waved her arms frantically, hoping that the driver would see her and stop in time.

    The ambulance driver was focused on his task of getting to the emergency as quickly as possible. He was not paying attention to the people around him until he saw the woman waving nervously in front of him. In that split second, he slammed on the brakes, bringing the speeding ambulance to a screeching halt just inches from the woman.

    As the ambulance came to a stop, the woman breathed a sigh of relief. She realized how close she had come to being hit and was grateful to be alive. She looked up at the driver, who had now gotten out of the ambulance to make sure she was okay. She could see the fear and concern in his eyes.

    The woman smiled at the driver, trying to reassure him that she was fine. She was amazed by his quick reflexes and skillful driving that had saved her life. She knew that he had a difficult job and that he was doing his best to help those in need.

    After the woman had crossed the road, the ambulance driver got back into his vehicle and continued on his way to the emergency. The woman watched as the ambulance disappeared into the distance, feeling grateful for the dedicated and courageous people who work in emergency services.

    In conclusion, the woman’s experience of crossing the road in front of a speeding ambulance highlights the importance of being aware of our surroundings and being prepared for unexpected situations. It also shows us the vital role that emergency services play in our lives and the risks that they take every day to keep us safe. We should always be grateful and supportive of these brave men and women who put their lives on the line to help others.


    Apertureƒ/2.8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length24mm
    ISO12800
    Shutter speed1/400s

  • The Wandering Dog

    A dog tied up in the door of a pet shop. He likes to wander.

    A dog is tied up in the doorway of a pet shop in Malaga. She’s not always tied up and likes to visit the vegan café down the street. A lovely, friendly dog, but she has food on her mind the whole time!


    Apertureƒ/4
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length35mm
    ISO1600
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • Waves crash on rocks in a mist

    Water crashes on rocks but is turned to mist in a long exposure photo, with a lighthouse in the background.

    Waves crash on rocks but all you see is a mist in this 4 second long exposure shot. That’s Roches Point Lighthouse in the background, of course, because this photo was taken in Church Bay last year.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length240mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed4s

  • The Babbling Head

    A hand cut head, part of an art exhibit in the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork

    One of the heads in a fabulous art exhibit in The Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. This head was only one of many, all suspended in the air by thin threads, and with a mouth that opens and closes continuously.

    Unfortunately, I’m not sure who the artist is who created this installation. If anyone knows, please leave a comment!

    Edit: I heard from the person who runs the Crawford Instagram account! This work is called “Doubt Ensemble”, by Peter Nash.


    Apertureƒ/2.8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length24mm
    ISO640
    Shutter speed1/60s

  • Intense Chess

    Chess players in Malaga concentrate on their game. A young woman in the background checks her phone.

    Men of various ages concentrate on their games of chess in the warm air on a December evening in Malaga, Spain.

    Bonus: Alex Kilbee talks about square format photography on The Photographic Eye.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length205mm
    ISO12800
    Shutter speed1/40s

  • A Scarlet Ibis in Chicago

    A scarlet ibis bird in the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago

    A Scarlet Ibis in Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. I love the deep orange colour of the bird’s feathers!


    Apertureƒ/5.6
    CameraCanon EOS 20D
    Focal length300mm
    ISO800
    Shutter speed1/200s

  • Smooth Sailing at Myrtleville

    A long exposure photo of the sea smoothes out the waves. A ship sits at anchor on the horizon.

    The rough waves of the sea are smoothed out by a long exposure photo as a container ship sits at anchor far off on the horizon. Myrtleville Beach, Cork.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length24mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed6s

  • Consecration of St Mel, Bishop of Longford by St Patrick

    A stained glass picture of 4 men, one dressed the garbs of a Christian bishop.

    There’s a dark room in the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, with 3 stained glass works by Harry Clarke. This photo is one of those and should be seen in person if you’re in Cork.

    They were made by Clarke while he was in his early twenties, and still a student at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. In 1911, he was awarded a highly covered gold medal for these works at the South Kensington National Competitions.


    Apertureƒ/2.8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length24mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/30s

  • A figure in the mirror

    A long figure is seen walking on a pavement in a convex mirror.

    A soon-to-be bus passenger walks to the bus station in Parnell Place, Cork.


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length240mm
    ISO200
    Shutter speed1/500s

  • An Fear Marbh at Sunset

    The island known as "An Fear Marbh" or "Inis Tuaisceart" lies off the coast of Kerry. The sun is setting, casting a lovely glow over everything.

    On a lovely summer’s evening on the Dingle Peninsula I photographed An Fear Marbh, yet again. It’s a picturesque part of the country so you can hardly blame me for taking photos! 🙂

    Today I learned that, in English, it’s called Inishtooskert, which is an Anglicised version of the Irish name, “Inis Tuaisceart”, or “Northern Island”.


    Apertureƒ/4
    CameraDSC-RX100M4
    Focal length13.2mm
    ISO125
    Shutter speed1/1000s

  • The Christmas Lights of Malaga

    Is it too late to post Christmas photos? The Christmas lights of Malaga are a fabulous sight to see. Spanish people really take celebrating the holidays seriously, with lots of happy faces to be seen everywhere!


    Apertureƒ/8
    CameraILCE-7M3
    Focal length50mm
    ISO100
    Shutter speed1/100s