Digital Secrets in the Shadows

Against a wall adorned with white arrows, a young woman with foxy red hair leans motionless, her face illuminated by the eerie glow of her phone.

As shadows creep in from the corners of the scene, she remains lost in her digital world, completely engrossed in the screen.

The bright red woolly hat atop her head stands out in stark contrast to her black coat, boots, and bag, drawing attention to her enigmatic presence in the dim surroundings.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO12800
Shutter speed1/250s

The Beatlebums in Coughlans

Last Friday night, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending a Beatles tribute band called The Beatlebums at Coughlans Bar on Douglas Street.

It was truly a fantastic performance by a talented group of musicians! They played many of the Beatles’ classic hits, as well as a few lesser-known B-sides that I wasn’t familiar with. And although we were promised a test on the music at the end of the night, I was relieved when that never came to fruition – LOL.

Despite being a small venue, Coughlans was packed to the rafters with fans who were absolutely loving the performance. We were blown away by the energy and talent of The Beatlebums, and can’t wait to catch them again – whether it’s at Coughlans or in a larger venue.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO8000
Shutter speed1/60s

Palm trees in the sunset

In this scene, a serene moment is captured as palm trees are silhouetted against the stunning orange and pink hues of a setting sun. The warm glow of the sky sets a peaceful and calming mood, contrasting against the harshness of the container ship in the distance. The ship is barely visible, with only the skeletal cranes visible above it in the silhouette. It appears to be in the process of loading, a task that will go on, even though it’s late.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/50s

A near miss

As a woman was crossing the road, she noticed an ambulance approaching with its sirens blaring. The ambulance had broken a red light but wasn’t driving particularly fast. She looked both ways and realized she had the right of way and could continue walking across the road.

As the ambulance got closer, she waved nervously at the driver to let him know she was aware of his presence. The ambulance driver slowed down and came to a stop just a few feet away from the woman. She continued on her way, feeling relieved that the driver had been paying attention and had stopped in time.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the ambulance driver, who had taken the time to slow down and stop for her, even though he was on his way to an emergency. She continued on her way, grateful for the safe and uneventful crossing.

Thanks ChatGPT. Here’s the overly dramatic first version of this post it created for me!

As a woman was crossing the road, she suddenly heard the blaring sirens of an ambulance behind her. She turned around to see the ambulance rushing towards her at full speed, and she knew that she had to act quickly.

The woman’s heart started racing as she realized the danger she was in. The ambulance was coming at her so fast that she had no time to think. Her instinct was to run, but she knew that could be even more dangerous. Instead, she waved her arms frantically, hoping that the driver would see her and stop in time.

The ambulance driver was focused on his task of getting to the emergency as quickly as possible. He was not paying attention to the people around him until he saw the woman waving nervously in front of him. In that split second, he slammed on the brakes, bringing the speeding ambulance to a screeching halt just inches from the woman.

As the ambulance came to a stop, the woman breathed a sigh of relief. She realized how close she had come to being hit and was grateful to be alive. She looked up at the driver, who had now gotten out of the ambulance to make sure she was okay. She could see the fear and concern in his eyes.

The woman smiled at the driver, trying to reassure him that she was fine. She was amazed by his quick reflexes and skillful driving that had saved her life. She knew that he had a difficult job and that he was doing his best to help those in need.

After the woman had crossed the road, the ambulance driver got back into his vehicle and continued on his way to the emergency. The woman watched as the ambulance disappeared into the distance, feeling grateful for the dedicated and courageous people who work in emergency services.

In conclusion, the woman’s experience of crossing the road in front of a speeding ambulance highlights the importance of being aware of our surroundings and being prepared for unexpected situations. It also shows us the vital role that emergency services play in our lives and the risks that they take every day to keep us safe. We should always be grateful and supportive of these brave men and women who put their lives on the line to help others.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO12800
Shutter speed1/400s

Waves crash on rocks in a mist

Waves crash on rocks but all you see is a mist in this 4 second long exposure shot. That’s Roches Point Lighthouse in the background, of course, because this photo was taken in Church Bay last year.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length240mm
ISO100
Shutter speed4s

The Babbling Head

One of the heads in a fabulous art exhibit in The Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. This head was only one of many, all suspended in the air by thin threads, and with a mouth that opens and closes continuously.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure who the artist is who created this installation. If anyone knows, please leave a comment!

Edit: I heard from the person who runs the Crawford Instagram account! This work is called “Doubt Ensemble”, by Peter Nash.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO640
Shutter speed1/60s

Consecration of St Mel, Bishop of Longford by St Patrick

There’s a dark room in the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, with 3 stained glass works by Harry Clarke. This photo is one of those and should be seen in person if you’re in Cork.

They were made by Clarke while he was in his early twenties, and still a student at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. In 1911, he was awarded a highly covered gold medal for these works at the South Kensington National Competitions.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/30s