The witch and the balloons A witch hands out balloons to young kids outside Brown Thomas on a late October Saturday. Just out of frame of this shot is a woman who has asked for a balloon. The witch explains that the balloons are just for the kids.. I wonder why? More on this later.

King of my world A child is carried atop his parent’s shoulders on St. Patrick’s Street, Cork a few weeks ago. I really like this shot, for what reason, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s the brightness and flowery design of the clothing worn by parent and child compared to the passers by. I’m sure both…

Friends together Friends talk and laugh on the street while busy shoppers pass on either side. Pictured on St. Patrick Street, Cork last October in front of Penneys. I love my wide angle lens!

Stepping out of the crowd A girl steps away from the maddening crowd on a busy street. This was a bit of an experiment for me. I blurred the background by making a duplicate layer, blurring, adding a layer mask and then revealing the girl through the layer mask. It’s not perfect, and in fact,…

Solitary figure A man bends over and adjusts his shopping bag outside Tesco shopping center on Paul St. I was waiting outside the shopping center and this scene enfolded in front of me. On a busy street people studiously ignore each other. Strangers pass by without a glance, busy with their own lives, friends gather…

Last minute shopping Today many major cities and towns around the world are going to be thronged with shoppers doing last minute shopping before Christmas Day. Traffic is going to crawl and frustrate and the crowds will be suffocating. I’m glad I’m staying at home. We may head out to the Lough later for a…

Take the GoCar around San Francisco Matt Rudd took the GoCar around San Francisco and I remembered seeing one on my travels there last August! Sixteen miles per hour and I’m absolutely terrified. You wouldn’t think a grown man could be terrified at such low speeds, but it’s because I’m being chased up one of…

The Girls of Cork City Two girls standing at the edge of a crowd on Patrick’s Street, Cork. A quick search for irish cork girls hoops earrings led me to the answers.com page on scanger. Judging by the definition of both male and female clothing, there are plenty of them about! Stereotypical Appearance * Very…

Girl and the bear A young girl greets a bear on Patrick’s Street, Cork. Shopping is in full swing but it’s the small things like the smile of a child that bring light to the world.

Shopping Expressions Worried looks accompany the average male during the Christmas shopping season. While this was taken at the end of October I bet that young man is still walking around with the same harried look. My quest for a graphics tablet is complete. The Wacom Graphire4 arrived yesterday from Pixmania. As I promised to…

Oh those lines! Pedestrians gather at the traffic lights on Grand Parade and wait to cross a busy city-center street. Yes I got a few funny looks as I crouched down with my camera but I’m used to it by now! This was a construction site a few months ago but work is progressing well…

The Stars and Stripes on Alcatraz The flag of the United States flies over Alcatraz Island on a windy August day. This was originally a portrait shot but I squared it off to emphasize the vertical and horizontal leading lines. The hydrant is much more prominent in the foreground too. The red rusty texture beloved…