A woman stands next to a display of flowers for sale in Dublin last October.
I played with the colours here a little. A bit of fun on an image that was too noisy, and too dark.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 12800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
We just tap tap tap on the screens to order. The man watching me take the photo never said a word either.
It was Halloween, did you notice the horns on her head?
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 5000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/250s |
Being late was something he hated. He had an important tour to join and he couldn’t afford to miss it. He had been planning this trip for months and today was the day he would see the sights of Dublin. He hoped they would be amazing. He hoped they would be worth it. He hoped they would make him happy.
Down O’Connell Street he ran, dodging pedestrians and cars. The wind in his hair and his tie flapping over his shoulder but he didn’t have time to adjust. His cap almost went flying too. He didn’t have time for anything. His map was checked and he cursed. He was lost.
His hands were put in his pockets, holding his coat behind him. He wore a white shirt and a shiny brown suit, his usual attire for formal occasions. He didn’t care if they looked odd or outdated. He liked them, and he thought they made him stand out. Looking like a tourist and adventurous was what he wanted, but he felt confused and scared. He wondered if he had everything he needed. He wondered if he had forgotten something.
The Spire of Dublin, a tall and slender monument that rose above the street, was reached by him. It looked impressive and futuristic. A surge of excitement and hope was felt by him. He recognized it from the brochure.
The street was crossed, and he looked for the tour guide who was supposed to meet him there. He saw a man wearing a green jacket and holding a sign that said “Dublin City Tour”. He waved at him and ran towards him.
He smiled nervously and said, “Hello, I’m sorry I’m late”.
The man looked at him with a puzzled expression and said, “Late for what?”
He pointed at the sign and said, “The tour, of course”.
The man shook his head and said, “Sorry, mate, you’ve got the wrong guy. This is not a tour sign, this is a protest sign. I’m here to protest against the Spire. I think it’s an eyesore and a waste of money”.
The sign was looked at more closely, and he realized that it had another word under “Dublin City Tour”. It said “Boycott”.
A wave of embarrassment and disappointment was felt by him. He had made a mistake.
He apologized and walked away.
He hoped he wasn’t too late.
He hoped he wasn’t too late.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
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 |
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 |
On an overcast day near the train I was on, four men wearing hi-vis vests were busy repairing something on the ground. They worked in the shadow of a large container that stood on brick lined pillars, with a wall behind providing further support. While one man worked diligently, the other three were huddled together, engrossed in a phone.
It was a scene that spoke to the modern age – even while carrying out manual labour, these workers were still connected to the digital world, using a phone to communicate, check messages or browse social media. Or just doss off while someone else does the work …
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
In the peaceful harbour of Howth, Co Dublin, a small blue boat bobbed gently in the water. Against the backdrop of the old and new lighthouses, it was a picturesque scene that perfectly encapsulated the charm of this fishing village. The sky was overcast and grey, a sign that rain might be on the way, but that didn’t deter people from coming out to walk along the pier and take in the sights and sounds of the bustling harbour.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 120mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/125s |
As the rain poured down on a gloomy evening in Dublin, a group of young people were out and about, determined not to let the weather dampen their spirits. Among them was a woman with pigtails and a sky-blue dress, looking like a ray of sunshine on an otherwise dreary night. Her companion, a man carrying an umbrella, hurried to catch up with her as they made their way through the rain-soaked streets.
In the background, the Luas could be seen with its doors open, having just disgorged its passengers. It was a snapshot of city life in all its glory – the hustle and bustle of people going about their business, the constant movement of vehicles and public transport, and the determination to keep moving forward even in the face of bad weather. It was a reminder that sometimes, it’s the little moments of human connection and perseverance that make life worth living, even on the gloomiest of nights.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 12800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/125s |
It was a typical wet and gloomy Halloween night, and I was walking past a shop doorway when I noticed two young men huddled together, seeking shelter from the rain. One of them was dressed in a frog costume, and they were engrossed in something on the other’s phone. As I watched them, I couldn’t help but think about the magic of Halloween, how it brings out the child in all of us, and how it can turn a rainy night into a playful adventure.
In a nearby shop window, three male mannequins stood in a row. Despite being inanimate objects, they seemed to be staring into space, almost as if they were lost in thought. The light from the window chased away the shadows, creating a surreal scene that contrasted sharply with the dark and rainy night outside. It was a reminder that even in the midst of the ordinary and mundane, there is always a touch of magic waiting to be discovered.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 10000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Soft, colourful light pours through circular windows, illuminating the coffee shop’s bar and floor. A man casually leans against the bar, waiting to settle his bill for his drink. The gentle lighting filtering through the windows accentuates the coffee shop’s peaceful and tranquil ambiance.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 125 |
| Shutter speed | 1/60s |
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.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 12800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/250s |
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.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 12800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/400s |