In Photos dot Org

Have a seat on the bridge

The Pont l'Assut de l'Or in Valencia, Spain seen from the viewpoint of a bench underneath. The Caixa Forum can be seen behind it.

In Valencia, Spain, they rerouted a river that ran through the city, making a very long park through the city. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the science museum, is behind me, nestled in the space the river once took, while in front is the Pont l’Assut de l’Or. It’s a beautiful bridge spanning the gap over the old river.

In the background is the Caixa Forum, and further on, out of view is the Museu Oceanogràfic, the fabulous aquarium in the city.

All along the old river run paths and play fields, grassy areas, trees, and benches for sitting on. It’s a wonderful place to visit if you’re in the city. Bikes can be hired too, but I found it stressful because there were so many people around. Getting the bus is easier.

The photo above was shot before sunrise, when the only people around were joggers and people working in the local area. Lovely and quiet!

Unfortunately, there’s a bin at the end of every bench. Not much I could do about it. I wanted to remove it in Photoshop, but I appear to have this bug where no tools work. Uninstalling and reinstalling did not help. 🙁

Aperture	ƒ/10
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	16mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	2.5s

Palestinian Rallies in Valencia and Cork

We happened to come upon a rally in Valencia while we were there recently. A large crowd gathered in a circle around a speaker. I didn’t understand a word they said, but the anger was obvious.

I was in Cork on Saturday and heard a rally announced by a loudspeaker on a van driving down Patrick Street, so I went along to see it.

There was a huge crowd, again. I was near the front of the crowd and watched them display the photos of children killed. Horrendous. It’s barbaric what’s happening in Gaza. What happened on October 7th was terrible, but what’s going on in Gaza is so much worse.

Shadowy Groynes at Sunset

An ICM shot of the setting sun. The lens was swung horizontally meaning the sun left a trail on the horizon and the groynes in the sea are like transparent shadows

As the sun sets, one thing I like to do is intentionally moving the camera lens, so the resulting picture is more abstract, but still captures the colours and shadows of the sunset.

This is what I did in Youghal a few months ago with Blarney Photography Club. Standing in the water, I swung the lens horizontally. The sun had almost set, so it caused a streak at the horizon and the groynes in the water looked like shadowy transparent obstructions.

Aperture	ƒ/4.5
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	44mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	2s

Closed due to flooding

Fitzgerald’s Park in Cork was flooded on October 21st last. The playground was completely off limits as water rolled off from the surrounding landscape. The pond had burst its banks and flooded the surrounding path. Seagulls were the only ones enjoying the scene.

We’re going to see a lot more flooding around Cork in the future. Climate change is making the world warmer, seas rise. Winters in Ireland will get wetter, storms will have more energy.

Aperture	ƒ/1.7
Camera	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length	6.3mm
ISO	20
Shutter speed	1/190s

The 2023 Dragon of Shandon Parade

I had the privilege of capturing this electrifying event for the first time ever, and let me tell you – it was an experience unlike any other!

Despite the chilly weather and occasional rain showers, the participants’ spirits were unwavering as they danced, sang, SCREAMED and shambled along as zombies. ?

As the procession made its way along Shandon Street, North Gate Bridge, North Main Street, Castle Street, and finally Cornmarket Street, a massive crowd gathered to watch and cheer on the fun! ? I chatted with some enthusiastic spectators who followed the zombies and monsters from Shandon Street to Cornmarket Street to make sure they didn’t miss anything.

At the very end, we were treated to dancing and singing by the groups in the parade, and it was wonderful. I’m sure it’ll be on next year. You should go see it if you’re in Cork!

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	1/15s

Fun at the Dragon of Shandon

A blurry shot of a woman on roller skates taking part in the parade. She's got wonderful makeup and dressed in dark clothes, while nearby another woman swings lights. Behind them are others in the parade.

Happy Halloween!! Last night was my first time photographing the Dragon of Shandon parade, and it was incredible! The weather was pretty bad, with intermittent rain showers, and it was a cold October evening. Brrr.

That didn’t dampen the spirits of all the participants, who danced and hollered and stumbled along like zombies or medieval executioners. Not to mention the fabulous floats!

More photos to come. I haven’t had time to look over them all yet. Check out the ones Fergal shared here on Facebook!

Remembering you, Robert, the first time I went to this, and you’re not there with your camera.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	800
Shutter speed	1/20s

Inside a spooky shop

A woman passes, looking in at the Bubble Tea shop I'm looking out of. Plastic bats are flying around, suspended on thing string, to celebrate Halloween.

Argh, the bats! The bats! Well, they’re very realistic, aren’t they? Spotted in a Bubble Tea shop in Dublin last year around this time of year.

Aperture	ƒ/3.2
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	1250
Shutter speed	1/500s

The Malaga Promenade

The Palmeral de Las Sorpresas, a promenade on Malaga Harbour is all lit up at night, with Malaga Cathedral in the background. All reflected in the water of the harbour.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	75mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	2.5s

A Lifebuoy Saves Lives

A lifebuoy on a pole with the water of Malaga Harbour behind it just after the sun has set.

The waters of Malaga harbour are quiet, but there are many people walking around as the sun sets over the city. A lifebuoy could be the difference between life and death.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	75mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/25s

The watchful eye of a mural

Chatting next to a mural in Malaga, Spain.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	160
Shutter speed	1/500s

Malaga Street Artist

A street artists in Malaga works on a portrait. Other portraits sit on the path near his feet.

A street artist draws a portrait while other finished work sits on the ground near his feet. He works on the street next to the cathedral in Malaga, Spain.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	320
Shutter speed	1/500s

Castlerosse Park Resort Cottage

A small cottage surrounded by a neat lawn and hedges with trees in the background.

Situated at the edge of the woods behind the Castlerosse Park Resort golf course is this small cottage. We walked by it a few weeks ago when we were in the area to photograph the rutting.

There was a car parked directly outside, so it’s occupied, but it’s so solitary and in a secluded area, it was like finding a magic cottage in the wood.

Aperture	ƒ/1.7
Camera	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length	6.3mm
ISO	40
Shutter speed	1/100s