I was there too
We went to see The Rock Orchestra play in the Cork Opera House last night, and they were a blast! Hopefully, these photos will help capture some of the excitement of the night. It’s well worth going to see them!
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 105mm |
| ISO | 8000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/400s |
Yesterday, I noticed that Henry was warning us (in Blarney Photography Club) that there was likely going to be a great display of aurora borealis that night. I’m recovering from a cold, so I was just going to stay in and watch TV, which I did. Nothing was going to get me out into the cold night.
I woke up this morning around 2am and saw a message from my sister where she sent on a fabulous photo of the aurora in the sky over her home. Already feeling FOMO, that was the last straw and I got out of bed and drove down to the River Martin walk to photograph the sky silhouetted by the hills on either side. I hoped there would be some sort of reflection in the water of the pool, but it wasn’t strong enough.
I should have gone home then, but I’m glad I drove up to Waterloo Church and you can see some of the photos I took there too.
The temperature had dropped from 2.5C to 0.5C in the time I was out and my camera battery had gone from 57% to 0%, and a torch battery had succumbed to the cold too.
To my eyes, I could see a green glow, but the pink and purple were only really visible in the photos. I could make out the red in the sky behind the church, though. A remarkable display.
There’s a good chance of more aurora tonight. I need to lie down now for a nap. zzzz
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 640 |
| Shutter speed | 60s |
I visited the National Park in Killarney, Co Kerry, today to photograph the deer with other members of Blarney Photography Club, and a few friends.
There weren’t many stags or deer to be seen, apart from in a field up a hill beyond the Castlerosse Park Resort golf course. We found this stag near the Torc Waterfall side of Muckross House. No other stags nearby, they were all calm and relaxed. I think the stag was slightly worried about the silly humans pointing long lenses at him from some 300m away. He needn’t have worried.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 600mm |
| ISO | 1000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
A European Starling plays with a crust of toast in Dún Laoghaire a few weeks ago. This one might even be the same bird I photographed recently, but the local café was open again and so there was food on the menu for the birds. 🙂
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 240mm |
| ISO | 200 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Someone struggles with a trolley full of cardboard. It looks like it may be about to fall over!
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 250 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Joe Healy’s book, Cork In Decades Past, this evening, and what an event it was! Although the official launch came a bit late, as the book has already sold out, but about twenty copies were available on the night. They were all gone by the end of the night. If you want to get a taste of the stunning photos featured in the book, be sure to check out Joe’s Twitter feed, where he shares captivating snapshots regularly.
This book is a delightful journey through the evolving landscape of Cork City since the early 1980s. Both Dan Boyle and Seamus McGrath spoke about their favourite images, adding depth and insight to the evening. My own copy of the book now sits proudly on my desk, boasting a lovely, high-quality finish that’s a pleasure to look at.
The good news? Another printing has been ordered and will be available just in time for Christmas. If you have any connection to Cork at all, this book is a must-have treasure that you won’t want to miss.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 70mm |
| ISO | 8000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/160s |
In Sandycove Store & Yard a few weeks ago and it was a beautiful afternoon. The sun shone through the open roof, making it a lovely place to stop for a coffee and treat.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 92mm |
| ISO | 160 |
| Shutter speed | 1/200s |
On the way back to Cork last night, I left the M8 on an exit near Cashel to stop for a few minutes. We parked by a field and I spotted this tree so, with a beautiful sunset showing the last of its colours, I got a few photos.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 2000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/30s |
A life buoy at the beach in Youghal. It was a fairly breezy day, just after the triathlon.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
It was very windy on this day when I walked out the pier. Boats rocked back and forth but the sun was shining and it was a lovely day.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 112mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/400s |
The Ring Wood in Blarney last night just after the sun set behind me and there was a lovely glow at the horizon.
In the next few years, houses will be built in that field, possibly obscuring this view from across the valley.
| Aperture | ƒ/4.9 |
| Camera | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
| Focal length | 27.2mm |
| ISO | 64 |
| Shutter speed | 1/50s |
As I walked to the Forty Foot a few days ago, I saw an ominous, dark cloud out at sea. Knowing that it would guarantee it wouldn’t rain, I got my umbrella from the car.
It didn’t rain.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 103mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/640s |
