In Photos dot Org

The Mannequin and Me

A woman standing in the street lighting a cigarette next to a window with a mannequin

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

A Sunset Dog Walk in Malaga

A dog and his owner waiting to cross the road, in Malaga, Spain.

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

Unexpected Irish in Madrid

An older man wearing a cap that says "Ireland" on it reads the newspaper. Other men sit near him while a couple walk past. A statue of a horse and rider in the background and a large poster advertising a Netflix show is prominent in the background.

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

Young Adults in the Shade of the City

A young man leans against a wall and squints into the bright sky opposite, while a young woman sits on steps nearby checking her phone.

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

The couple at the bus stop

A couple waiting for the bus in Dublin. She has a bunch of flowers and a red handbag she's looking in, he is carrying a Dunnes Stores bag

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

A Boat on a Lake with Clouds

A boat on a lake. Reeds in the foreground and cloud covered hills in the background.

There’s something about a small boat on a calm lake that just begs to be photographed. And when you add in the backdrop of hills shrouded in clouds and the texture of the reeds in the foreground, it becomes a picture-perfect moment.

Capturing that moment, though, can be a challenge. You want to make sure you get just the right angle and lighting to do it justice. But when you finally get that shot and see the results, it’s all worth it.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	77mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/80s

The Tree in Muckross Abbey

A very tall tree grows in the middle of the abandoned, but restored Muckross Abbey.

When you visit Muckross Abbey in Killarney, one thing that immediately catches your eye is the magnificent tree that grows right in the middle of the building. The tree is so large that it almost looks like it’s part of the abbey, as if the building had grown around it over time.

Taking a photo of this tree is an absolute must if you’re a photography enthusiast. As you stand there, camera in hand, you can’t help but marvel at the sheer size of this tree, as its branches extend high into the sky. It’s truly a sight to behold. And if you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, the way the light filters through the leaves is simply magical.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	16mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/160s

Invisible Motion on the Lake

A long exposure photo of a lake. The water is smooth, the reeds obscured by their motion while the trees are bare on this February evening

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Lakes of Killarney with Blarney Photography Club and snapped this long exposure photo near Ross Castle. The scene was magical, with the reeds gently swaying in the breeze and the bare trees looking like skeletons on guard. It was an otherworldly experience, and I couldn’t wait to capture it on camera.

It was also freezing that February evening, so this is one of the last shots of the day for me. Totally blown out and over exposed, but I love it.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	38mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	30s

Shadows of Everyday Life

A woman walks along the street. Her attention taken up by her phone. She cats a shadow on the pavement, and the Nike swoosh on her runners is clearly visible.

It’s a common sight in today’s world – a woman walking down the street, engrossed in her phone, completely unaware of her surroundings. But on this particular day, I noticed something that caught my eye. As she walked, her silhouette cast a clear shadow on the pavement, and the Nike swoosh on her runners was prominently visible.

It was a simple moment, but it got me thinking about how much of our lives are spent glued to our screens, oblivious to the world around us. In this age of constant connectivity, it’s easy to get lost in the virtual world and forget about the beauty of the physical one. But seeing that shadow on the pavement was a reminder that there is still beauty to be found in the simplest of things, if only we take the time to look up from our screens and appreciate it.

So, the next time you find yourself lost in your phone, take a moment to look up and take in the world around you. You never know what hidden beauty might be waiting to be discovered, even in the most mundane of moments. And who knows – you might just end up seeing things in a whole new light.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/800s

Red Hot Discounts in Shop Window

A woman dressed in red looks in the door of a shop. In the window can be seen a sign saying, "REBAJAS HASTA - 50%"

As the woman walked down the street, her attention was drawn to a vibrant red sign in the window of a shop. The sign read “REBAJAS HASTA – 50%,” indicating a significant sale. Intrigued, she paused to take a closer look at the window display.

Dressed in red herself, the woman peered through the door of the shop to catch a glimpse of the discounted items inside. She couldn’t help but wonder what treasures awaited her within the store. With the promise of discounts up to 50%, she knew it would be worth investigating further.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	1/500s

Phone-Obsessed Youth in the City

Two young men, both on their phones. One leaning against the wall, the other a delivery rider on his motorbike.

As I was walking down the street, I noticed two young men engrossed in their phones. The first was casually leaning against the wall, while the second was perched on his motorbike, which was parked nearby. Despite being in different positions, they were both completely absorbed in their screens, lost in their own digital worlds.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	200
Shutter speed	1/500s

Bench Talk and Poster People

A woman sitting on a bench on the phone. The bench is held up by what looks like a human figure on one end, and barely visible behind her a dog on the other. Two people stare out of a poster, with the text, "You're On"

A woman sitting on a bench, engrossed in her phone. The bench is a unique design, held up by what appears to be a human figure on one end, and a dog on the other, giving it a whimsical and artistic look. Behind her, a poster catches the eye, featuring two people staring out with the text “You’re On,” likely an advertisement for a product or service.

As I walk by, I can’t help but marvel at the creativity and quirkiness of the bench design, and how it adds character to the urban landscape. Meanwhile, the poster behind the woman adds an intriguing element, leaving me to ponder what it could be advertising and how it connects to the theme of being “on.” It’s moments like these that remind me of the small, yet interesting details that make our daily surroundings unique and worth exploring.

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