The January sales in Brown Thomas attract many but the shop is a good place to meet someone as I presume this gentleman was, back in 2016.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | Canon EOS 6D |
| Focal length | 105mm |
| ISO | 1600 |
| Shutter speed | 1/250s |
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Sale at Brown Thomas
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Santiago Calatrava’s Sunrise Masterpiece
The Pont de l’Assut de l’Or in Valencia, near the City of Science and Art is a striking piece of architecture, so when this sunrise turned purple just before the sun rose over the horizon I had to make sure to get a photo of this stunning bridge.
The Pont de l’Assut de l’Or was designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2008. Its distinctive single pylon stands 125 metres tall, making it the highest point in Valencia and a defining feature of the city’s skyline. The bridge’s name translates to “Bridge of the Assut de l’Or Dam,” referencing a historic dam that once stood nearby. What’s particularly impressive about this cable-stayed design is that the asymmetric pylon (leaning at an angle rather than standing vertical) creates enormous engineering challenges. All the weight and tension from the bridge deck must be balanced through that single angled support point. Calatrava, who trained as both an architect and an engineer, is famous for these gravity-defying designs that blend structural innovation with sculptural beauty. The bridge is part of Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences complex, which Calatrava also designed, transforming a former riverbed into one of Europe’s most striking examples of contemporary architecture. The entire complex cost over €1 billion to build and has become Valencia’s most iconic modern landmark.
Aperture ƒ/8 Camera ILCE-7M3 Focal length 16mm ISO 100 Shutter speed 1/10s Fediverse reactions
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The Eiffel at Dusk
This was originally going to be a portrait shot of the Eiffel Tower but I quite like this one too, especially with the lovely colour of the sky in the background.
Aperture ƒ/8 Camera ILCE-7M3 Focal length 16mm ISO 100 Shutter speed 1/6s Fediverse reactions
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When the Lee Became a Mirror
The Banks of the Lee were quite different by the Peace Park in 2004. Trees and shrubs obscured the river from the small park. It looks so different now.
Aperture ƒ/4.5 Camera CYBERSHOT Focal length 11mm ISO 100 Shutter speed 1/500s Fediverse reactions
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Punk Legends at Cyprus Avenue
I shared a couple of photos of The Undertones last year but since they’re coming back to Cork next year and tickets just became available I decided to go look through the shots from that night again. They are fantastic, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again when they visit Cork.
The atmosphere in Cyprus Avenue is electric, and the lighting is so atmospheric and dazzling. Great venue for a gig.
The Undertones formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1974 and became one of the most important bands to emerge from the late 1970s punk movement. Their debut single “Teenage Kicks” (1978) was famously championed by legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who called it his favourite song of all time and requested it be played at his funeral (it was). What makes The Undertones particularly notable is that they emerged from Derry during the height of the Troubles, yet their music deliberately avoided political themes, instead focusing on universal teenage experiences like romance, frustration, and growing up. This made them hugely influential in showing that Northern Irish bands didn’t have to be defined by the conflict. The band’s current lineup still features four of the five original members, though original lead singer Feargal Sharkey left in 1983. They reformed in 1999 with new vocalist Paul McLoone and have been touring consistently since, proving that great punk rock ages remarkably well!
Aperture ƒ/1.8 Camera ILCE-7RM5 Focal length 75mm ISO 4000 Shutter speed 1/160s Fediverse reactions
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Reality Meets Advertisement
People walking along a corridor in a shopping mall in Birmingham, England. 2022.
Aperture ƒ/8 Camera ILCE-7M3 Focal length 23mm ISO 640 Shutter speed 1/500s Fediverse reactions
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Cork in Miniature
I love this mural showing various sights around Cork City. It’s just off Paul Street and well worth a look. The artist, Garreth Joyce, painted it in 2023.
Aperture ƒ/8 Camera ILCE-7M3 Focal length 24mm ISO 100 Shutter speed 1/125s Fediverse reactions
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What is Home?
The mural, “What is Home?” by the artist Asbestos, at the end of South Main Street, in Cork. As seen through the ring of a nearby life buoy hanging on a pole.
Aperture ƒ/1.8 Camera ILCE-7M3 Focal length 75mm ISO 100 Shutter speed 1/640s Fediverse reactions
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Ancient Athens Meets Modern Tourism
When the sun is shining, it’s nice to have portable shade in the form of an umbrella. In Athens on the day this photo was taken it was a hot day!
The Basilica of Megali Panagia (which translates to “Great Virgin Mary”) was an early Christian basilica built in Athens during the 5th century AD. What makes this site particularly fascinating is that it represents the transition period when Athens was shifting from its ancient pagan identity to becoming a Christian Byzantine city. The basilica was constructed using materials salvaged from older classical buildings, a common practice called “spolia”, meaning those stone blocks you see in the photograph might originally have been part of temples or structures from Athens’ classical golden age, essentially recycled into a Christian church. The site reveals multiple layers of Athenian history literally built on top of each other. Athens during summer regularly reaches temperatures of 35-40°C (95-104°F), which explains why that blue umbrella is essential equipment for archaeological site visits. Many ancient sites in Greece now restrict visiting hours during the hottest parts of the day to protect both visitors and the monuments themselves from heat damage!
Aperture ƒ/4.9 Camera Galaxy S23 Ultra Focal length 27.2mm ISO 50 Shutter speed 1/380s -
The Capital of Culchies
Twenty years ago Emmett Place in Cork was full of skateboarders jumping over ramps and very very close to a couple of photographers like me. I got some nice shots of them that have appeared here over the years but I missed this one, somehow!
Twenty years ago. Cork in 2005. I wonder where they are now?
Aperture ƒ/5.6 Camera Canon EOS 20D Focal length 18mm ISO 100 Shutter speed 1/80s Fediverse reactions
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Kinsale in Full Bloom
Kinsale’s tidy towns group must work overtime and they do a fantastic job of keeping the town tidy and colourful. These flowers were in a small boat at the end of the quay and make the area look so pretty.
Aperture ƒ/3.5 Camera ILCE-7RM5 Focal length 24mm ISO 500 Shutter speed 1/125s Fediverse reactions
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When Stags Find Their Voice
I travelled to Kerry this morning to photograph the rutting in Killarney National Park there. There weren’t many stags to be seen but this fellow was lying in the middle of a field I suspected would have a stag or two. After a few moments he stood up, digging his antlers in the grass and tossed his head from side to side with grass flying everywhere.
Despite the dramatic behaviour, he looked over at the human photographers again and lay down, chewing some grass and ignored us once more.
Aperture ƒ/6.3 Camera ILCE-7RM5 Focal length 387.6mm ISO 12800 Shutter speed 1/640s Fediverse reactions
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Odd One Out (2006)
Letters only (2007)
An Chead Bhailiu Eile (2008)
Icy Dream’s LTD (2009)
Ross Castle Boat (2014)
Constructing Cork (2015)
Castletownbere Boat (2016)
Sunlight through the mist (2017)
Doggy at the Protest (2019)
Sherkin Island Horse (2021)
The Solitary Cat (2022)
The Robin with the Attitude (2023)
Fluffy in the sun (2024)
Urban Geometry in Valencia (2025)