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Luxury and Cost: Split Your Payments

The display in the front window of a jewellery store. A hand reaches out from behind to move a sign that says, "Split Your Payments".

Oh, isn’t it just lovely to walk past an expensive jewellery store and gaze at the beautiful displays of necklaces and rings that most of us can’t afford? Oh, but wait, what’s that? A sign that says, “Split Your Payments”? How considerate of them to offer such a generous payment plan for those of us who just can’t resist the temptation of their overpriced products. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go into debt for a shiny bauble, right?

But in all seriousness, let’s be real. We all know that jewellery is expensive. And while the displays in the front window may be beautiful, they often come with a hefty price tag. So unless you’re a millionaire or have someone willing to foot the bill, it’s best to just admire from afar and save your hard-earned money for something a little more practical.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/500s

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Hurry! WordPress 6.2 comes out soon!

A WordPress plushy with a clock

WordPress 6.2 comes out at the end of the month, so make sure your plugins and themes are ready for it by running the latest release candidate (currently RC2) on a test server!

Tick, tock. Time’s running out! If you don’t test it, the Wapuu will be very disappointed!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length44mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/100s

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THAT’S US BTW! YOU ARE EU

A poster on a bus shelter proclaims "Freedom, Peace & Energy Indepence. YOU ARE EUROPE" A group of young people are huddled together next to the text reading "YOU ARE EU" An advert on the bus at the bus stop says "THAT@S US BTW!" with an arrow pointing down to the end of a URL.

The bus shelter is adorned with a poster promoting a message of “Freedom, Peace & Energy Independence. YOU ARE EUROPE”, featuring a group of youthful individuals standing beside the text “YOU ARE EU”. This poster can be spotted throughout the EU, and I even noticed a few on the Europe subreddit last week.

Meanwhile, an advertisement displayed on the bus parked at the stop bears the message “THAT’S US BTW!” with an arrow pointing downwards towards the end of a URL. However, I like to think the arrow is pointing towards the individuals featured in the EU poster.

These types of advertisements and posters serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of people across the EU, and the importance of promoting unity and solidarity among diverse communities. The bus itself is a common mode of transportation throughout many European cities, offering a convenient and efficient way to traverse the bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods of these dynamic urban centers.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/500s

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Night Time Light Streaks at Busy Junction

The lights of passing cars and buses streak into the distance on this busy junction at night.

The hustle and bustle of city life can be captivating, especially at night, when the bright lights of passing vehicles streak into the distance like stars in the sky. This particular photo captures the vibrant energy of a busy junction, with cars and buses whizzing by in a blur of colour and motion.

Despite the darkness of the buildings lining the street, the glow of street lights are like stars and provide illumination. The long exposure of the photo creates an almost dreamlike effect, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

It’s fascinating how a single photo can encapsulate so much energy and movement, bringing to life the bustling rhythm of urban living. As the city continues to evolve and grow, scenes like this will always remain a constant reminder of the vibrant pulse of urban life.


Apertureƒ/16
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed15s

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Golden Glow over a Wheat Field

Golden light illuminates a wheat field as the sun sets, casting a warm glow on a solitary pole while surrounding shadows deepen.

As the golden hour approaches, the sun illuminates a section of a wheat field, casting a beautiful warm glow across the landscape. In the midst of the field stands a single pole, which is illuminated by the soft light, creating a stunning contrast against the shadowy surroundings. The tall wheat stalks gently sway in the light breeze, while the shadows cast by the wheat blades create a mesmerizing circular pattern around the pole.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length240mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/500s

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Fridays For Future in Cork

I was in town today and came across a Fridays For Future protest on Grand Parade. They’re a group of very passionate young people protesting at the state of our environment. Their aim is to demand that the Irish government take action on climate change and climate injustice in Ireland.

They have an uphill fight, unfortunately. The world is going to zip right past the 1.5ºC average rise in temperature.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/500s

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Diego: Small Dog, Big Adventure

Diego, my chihuahua, dressed for a walk in a red and blue coat.

Diego, our tiny Chihuahua, gazes up at me with his soulful eyes, his tiny tail wagging excitedly. It’s clear that he’s eager for his daily walk, a time when he can explore the world and take in all the scents and sounds around him. Despite his diminutive size, Diego is a ball of energy and enthusiasm, always ready for a new adventure.

His favourite word? Walkies! In his excitement, when he heard that word, he runs for a toy to play with it with me!

His second favourite word? That would be “treat”. Of course. He loves his treats.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length50mm
ISO40000
Shutter speed1/125s

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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

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Waves crash on rocks in a mist

Water crashes on rocks but is turned to mist in a long exposure photo, with a lighthouse in the background.

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

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The Babbling Head

A hand cut head, part of an art exhibit in the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork

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

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Smooth Sailing at Myrtleville

A long exposure photo of the sea smoothes out the waves.  A ship sits at anchor on the horizon.

The rough waves of the sea are smoothed out by a long exposure photo as a container ship sits at anchor far off on the horizon. Myrtleville Beach, Cork.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed6s

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Consecration of St Mel, Bishop of Longford by St Patrick

A stained glass picture of 4 men, one dressed the garbs of a Christian bishop.

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