I was there too
I had a great time today at the Dawstown Point-to-Point horse racing event! The races started at 2 pm and continued until 4.30 pm, and I went with some of my buddies from the Blarney Photography Club. We positioned ourselves near the second last jump, and it was a super fun day filled with lots of action and photography opportunities. I’m excited to share this selection of my favourite shots with you!
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 600mm |
| ISO | 2500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/2000s |
If you’re a fan of street art, you’ll love this vibrant and eye-catching hoarding in Cork City. What was once a dull and drab barrier around a derelict site has been transformed into a colourful canvas of graffiti. The hoarding is situated on the corner of Sheare Street and Grattan Street and it’s impossible to miss its bold and striking presence.
While the small one-storey building that once stood on this spot may be long gone, the art that has taken its place is alive with energy and creativity. I was particularly drawn to the striking eye that gazes out at the world from the corner of the hoarding. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the midst of decay and neglect, there is always beauty to be found in unexpected places.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1600s |
Here’s another photo from my recent team meetup in Germany, where we got to see these incredible mountains that span the border of Germany and Austria. We were up pretty high too, around 1500m at Bergstation Herzogstandbahn, which made for a wonderful view.
Of course, the weather wasn’t exactly on our side – those ominous black clouds overhead made it feel like it could start raining or snowing at any moment. But honestly, it only added to the atmosphere and the sense of adventure. It wasn’t too cold at first, but on the way back to the gondola, the weather turned, and it got noticeably colder up there. It was totally worth it to see this incredible natural wonder. I just can’t get over how powerful and peaceful nature can be at the same time.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 172mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1250s |
We had trudged up and down rugged hills, wearing snow shoes, until we finally came to a stop, feeling sore and utterly exhausted. The sun blazed down on us as we stood at 1500m on a crisp, clear day. Ahead of us loomed another hill, descending a valley and then ascending at a steep incline. At the bottom, we spotted two skiers preparing to travel further down the slopes.
In the foreground, a sign attached to a precarious, leaning pole caught our attention. It commanded us to “Halt”, but the sign pointing to the ski lift pointed upwards towards the sky, which was fitting because the ski lift itself ascended the side of a dauntingly steep hill.
Wisely, I believe, we decided to take a break for lunch instead of attempting that treacherous incline. 🙂
| Aperture | ƒ/9 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 146mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/2000s |
So, a few weeks ago, I went with fellow members of Blarney Photography Club to Gougane Barra to catch the sunrise. Sadly, the clouds were pretty thick that day, but we still managed to get some cool photos. One shot I was particularly happy with was the reflection of the chapel on the island. Despite some showers here and there, we were lucky to catch some good light for our shots. Can’t wait to share more of these photos with you all in the coming months!
| Aperture | ƒ/11 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/50s |
A building on the corner of Sheare Street and Moore Street in Cork appears to be derelict for a number of years. If you take a look at the location on Google Maps you can go back through the years.
In 2014 it appears someone broke the right hand window as it is covered by wood but in the next photo the window is covered by that paint again. Some time between 2017 and 2019 the front of the building was given a lick of paint. The pavement in front was upgraded in that time too so that might account for that.
There’s a bouquet of flowers outside the building in 2017 making me dread to think what reason it was there. 🙁
Anyway, this building is in a great location. It appears to have been an office. This and other buildings around the city that are underused might find more use as a residential building.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
We stood atop the towering mountain, surrounded by billowing clouds, preparing to leave. As I gazed downwards, my eyes traced the steep slope all the way to the tranquil blue waters of the lake below. Tiny houses and buildings speckled the landscape, and a winding road traced the shoreline.
Having just dined at Berggasthaus Herzogstand, a restaurant nestled at nearly 1600 meters above sea level, we were eager to descend. However, the weather had taken a turn for the worse, with rain pelting down and the wind picking up. It was the last gondola ride of the day, too.
As we embarked on the journey, the gondola suddenly came to an abrupt halt. We hung suspended in mid-air for several minutes as the operator communicated over the radio. It turned out that some passengers had been left behind on the mountain, and we realized they were fortunate to have caught a ride down with us!
| Aperture | ƒ/9 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 160 |
| Shutter speed | 1/30s |
One of the days during a team meetup in Germany recently was spent hiking across a mountain, up and down steep snow-covered hills. On the way, we passed by what is evidentially the launch site for people paragliding.
They would fling themselves off this slope and soar for I don’t know how long, catching thermals and circling far overhead.
Not for me, but the wings were very colourful!
| Aperture | ƒ/2.2 |
| Camera | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
| Focal length | 2.2mm |
| ISO | 50 |
| Shutter speed | 1/5200s |
I had a fantastic time in Munich with my team recently. We explored the city and enjoyed its sights and sounds. But the most surprising and thrilling thing I saw was in the city park.
As we walked along a path, I heard a roaring sound of water. I peeked through the trees and saw two men in wetsuits carrying surfboards. They were heading back up the banks of the River Isar, where a crowd awaited them. I ran to the riverbank and witnessed a spectacular scene: surfers riding a fast and furious wave in the middle of the city! I quickly grabbed my camera, and snapped some remarkable shots of this incredible spectacle.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 112mm |
| ISO | 12800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/250s |
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 |
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 |
