I was there too
Way back in 2013, at the Automattic Grand Meetup, I took an early morning walk along the promenade in Santa Cruz. The sun had already risen, but the world was quiet, and I enjoyed a solitary walk before the day’s work had to be done.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | Canon EOS 6D |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
Last Saturday night, I had the opportunity to see ‘The Service’ perform live at Coughlan’s Bar on Douglas Street, and I must say it was a truly unforgettable experience. The atmosphere created by the band’s performance of Ska music from the early 80s was electrifying, and the audience loved it.
For those unfamiliar with Ska music, it originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and became popular in the UK and Ireland during the 2 Tone movement in the late 1970s and early 80s. Ska is characterized by a syncopated beat, horn section, and upbeat tempo. It has been influential in the development of many modern music genres, such as reggae, punk rock, and hip-hop.
The Service’s performance was a tribute to this influential era of music, and they did an excellent job of capturing the energy and excitement of the genre. It’s impossible to listen to this music and not start bouncing up and down with the beat!
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 8000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
In the middle of February I joined members of Blarney Photography Club for a sunrise photoshoot over the Lakes of Killarney. The scenery was stunning, with early morning light casting a warm orange hue over the still waters of the lake and misty mountains in the distance.
We were over by Brickeen Bridge, a good 30 minute walk from the car park, but worth it for the glow of the sky on the water.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 50mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/640s |
She wandered on the street, holding a red fan to block the sun from her face. It was a sunny day, and the sun was shining brightly. But she didn’t mind. She enjoyed the breeze, and the sight. She enjoyed how they made her feel calm, and relaxed. She wore cool, white clothing that contrasted with the colour of her fan. Her gold coloured handbag was over her shoulder, and she held it with comfort. She had nothing to stress, or worry her. She had everything to explore, and discover.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | Canon EOS 6D |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
Being late was something he hated. He had an important tour to join and he couldn’t afford to miss it. He had been planning this trip for months and today was the day he would see the sights of Dublin. He hoped they would be amazing. He hoped they would be worth it. He hoped they would make him happy.
Down O’Connell Street he ran, dodging pedestrians and cars. The wind in his hair and his tie flapping over his shoulder but he didn’t have time to adjust. His cap almost went flying too. He didn’t have time for anything. His map was checked and he cursed. He was lost.
His hands were put in his pockets, holding his coat behind him. He wore a white shirt and a shiny brown suit, his usual attire for formal occasions. He didn’t care if they looked odd or outdated. He liked them, and he thought they made him stand out. Looking like a tourist and adventurous was what he wanted, but he felt confused and scared. He wondered if he had everything he needed. He wondered if he had forgotten something.
The Spire of Dublin, a tall and slender monument that rose above the street, was reached by him. It looked impressive and futuristic. A surge of excitement and hope was felt by him. He recognized it from the brochure.
The street was crossed, and he looked for the tour guide who was supposed to meet him there. He saw a man wearing a green jacket and holding a sign that said “Dublin City Tour”. He waved at him and ran towards him.
He smiled nervously and said, “Hello, I’m sorry I’m late”.
The man looked at him with a puzzled expression and said, “Late for what?”
He pointed at the sign and said, “The tour, of course”.
The man shook his head and said, “Sorry, mate, you’ve got the wrong guy. This is not a tour sign, this is a protest sign. I’m here to protest against the Spire. I think it’s an eyesore and a waste of money”.
The sign was looked at more closely, and he realized that it had another word under “Dublin City Tour”. It said “Boycott”.
A wave of embarrassment and disappointment was felt by him. He had made a mistake.
He apologized and walked away.
He hoped he wasn’t too late.
He hoped he wasn’t too late.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
She needed a break. Hours of non-stop work had taken a toll on her, typing away on her laptop, answering emails, making calls, and dealing with deadlines. She felt like she was drowning in work and stress. Grabbing her jacket and her cigarettes, she headed to the front of the building, where there was a large window that faced the street.
A cigarette was lit, and she took a long drag, exhaling slowly. The nicotine calmed her nerves and relaxed her muscles. Leaning against the wall, she looked at the window. Next to her stood a mannequin, dressed in a short denim dress. It was part of a display for a clothing store on the ground floor.
The mannequin made her frown. It looked so casual and carefree, so different from how she felt. What would it be like to be a mannequin, to have no worries or responsibilities, to just stand there and look cute? She imagined swapping places with it, wearing its dress and shoes, posing in the window. Would anyone notice?
Another drag of her cigarette was taken and she flicked the ash. A man walked by on the street and stopped to look at the window. He seemed to be staring at her. A surge of self-consciousness and embarrassment filled her. She quickly looked away and pretended to be interested in something else.
She glanced back at the mannequin. It was still looking at the window, unfazed by the attention. Its smug expression seemed to mock her. A pang of envy and resentment hit her. She wished she could be as cool and confident as it was. She wished she could have its life.
Her cigarette was finished, and she threw it in the dustbin. She straightened her jacket and her hair and headed back to her office. She had work to do. She couldn’t afford to waste time fantasizing about being someone else.
She walked past the window and gave the mannequin one last look. It was still looking at the window, oblivious to her existence.
She sighed and walked on.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
There’s something special about taking photos of everyday moments, especially when they involve dogs. As I was walking through Malaga, Spain, I came across a man and his furry companion waiting to cross the road. The setting sun cast a warm glow on everything around us, and the long shadows made for an interesting composition.
The dog, a small but scruffy pup, stood obediently at his owner’s side, tail wagging slowly as he looked up at his human. The man wore a relaxed smile, one that spoke of contentment and peace. Together, they waited for the signal to cross, the dog’s ears perked up, taking in the sounds and smells of the street.
It was a simple moment, one that might go unnoticed by others, but it felt like a privilege to capture it through my lens. Sometimes, it’s these unassuming moments that hold the most beauty.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 240mm |
| ISO | 400 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
There’s something about people and newspapers that fascinates me. Maybe it’s the contrast between the printed words and the digital screens that dominate our lives. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia for a simpler time when news was not a constant stream of updates and alerts. Perhaps it’s the curiosity about what stories catch their attention and what opinions they form.
On this day I was walking around Madrid, I saw an older man today, sitting on a low wall. He was wearing a cap that said “Ireland”, which made me wonder about his origins and his reasons for being here. Was he a tourist, a migrant, a retiree? Was he really Irish, or just a tourist that had passed through Dublin on the way here? Did he read the newspaper to stay informed, or to escape from reality?
He seemed oblivious to the people around him, who were also sitting on the wall but looking away. They were probably waiting for someone, or just enjoying the warm evening. A couple walked past them, hand in hand, smiling and chatting. They looked happy and in love, unaware of the old man and his newspaper.
The sun was setting behind the buildings, casting long shadows on the pavement. The light was fading, but the old man kept reading. He turned the pages slowly, as if savouring every word. He looked calm and content, as if nothing else mattered.
I wanted to talk to him, to ask him about his life and his thoughts. But I didn’t want to disturb him, to interrupt his peaceful moment. So, I kept my mouth shut as I walked past, admiring his dedication and his solitude.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | Canon EOS 6D |
| Focal length | 28mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/640s |
The hustle and bustle of city life often leads to interesting and unexpected moments, and I was lucky enough to capture one such moment on camera. A young man was leaning against a wall, squinting up at the bright sky opposite, while a young woman sat on the steps nearby, checking her phone. They both seemed lost in their own thoughts, but were still somewhat connected by their proximity.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 250 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Dublin is full of interesting moments to capture with a camera, and one of my recent favourites was photographing a couple waiting for the bus. They weren’t posing or even aware of my presence, but the scene was too good to pass up. The woman had a bunch of flowers and was rummaging through her handbag, while the man was peering down the road, likely keeping an eye out for the bus.
What struck me about the scene was how mundane and yet how full of detail it was. The woman’s red handbag was a vibrant pop of colour against the otherwise drab surroundings, and the man’s Dunnes Stores bag hinted at what their day might have involved. They weren’t speaking to each other, but their body language suggested a comfortable familiarity. It was a moment of everyday life, but one that felt worth capturing.
| Aperture | ƒ/1.8 |
| Camera | SM-G998B |
| Focal length | 6.7mm |
| ISO | 400 |
| Shutter speed | 1/750s |
