Ireland – Page 49 – In Photos dot Org

The couple at the bus stop

A couple waiting for the bus in Dublin. She has a bunch of flowers and a red handbag she's looking in, he is carrying a Dunnes Stores bag

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

A Boat on a Lake with Clouds

A boat on a lake. Reeds in the foreground and cloud covered hills in the background.

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

The Tree in Muckross Abbey

A very tall tree grows in the middle of the abandoned, but restored Muckross Abbey.

When you visit Muckross Abbey in Killarney, one thing that immediately catches your eye is the magnificent tree that grows right in the middle of the building. The tree is so large that it almost looks like it’s part of the abbey, as if the building had grown around it over time.

Taking a photo of this tree is an absolute must if you’re a photography enthusiast. As you stand there, camera in hand, you can’t help but marvel at the sheer size of this tree, as its branches extend high into the sky. It’s truly a sight to behold. And if you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, the way the light filters through the leaves is simply magical.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	16mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/160s

Invisible Motion on the Lake

A long exposure photo of a lake. The water is smooth, the reeds obscured by their motion while the trees are bare on this February evening

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Lakes of Killarney with Blarney Photography Club and snapped this long exposure photo near Ross Castle. The scene was magical, with the reeds gently swaying in the breeze and the bare trees looking like skeletons on guard. It was an otherworldly experience, and I couldn’t wait to capture it on camera.

It was also freezing that February evening, so this is one of the last shots of the day for me. Totally blown out and over exposed, but I love it.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	38mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	30s

Shadows of Everyday Life

A woman walks along the street. Her attention taken up by her phone. She cats a shadow on the pavement, and the Nike swoosh on her runners is clearly visible.

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

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.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	500
Shutter speed	1/500s

Workers on the Tracks

Men repairing the ground near a train track. A large container on brick lined pillars and a wall stand next to them. One person is working while three look at a phone

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

A Blue Boat in Howth Harbour

A small boat in the harbour at Howth, Co Dublin. The old and new lighthouses can be seen in the background. People walk along the pier.

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

A Snapshot of Rainy Dublin Nightlife

A group of young people heading out for the night in Dublin on a gloomy, rainy evening. The Luas can be seen on the left.

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

A Moment on a gloomy Halloween Night

2 young men share a moment, looking at a phone in a doorway, sheltering from the rain. 3 mannequins in a shop window stare out into space.

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

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Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	44mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	1/100s

Abstract Forest in Motion

The slim trunks of trees in the forest near Torc Waterfall are blurred by intentional vertical camera movement.

While out with Blarney Photography Club in Killarney National Park recently, we came across a small forest of slender tree trunks stretching up towards the sky like spindly fingers. The light was just perfect for some intentional camera movement, so we decided to experiment with a vertical ICM technique.

I set my camera to a slow shutter speed, and then began moving it in a vertical motion as I pressed the shutter button. The result? A beautiful and abstract image that captures the essence of the forest in a unique and captivating way!

The slim tree trunks blend together in a mesmerizing blur of lines, creating a sense of movement and energy that’s almost hypnotic. It’s as though the trees themselves are swaying in a gentle breeze, their branches reaching out to dance with the sunlight.

ICM photography is all about embracing the beauty of imperfection, of letting go of the need for a perfectly sharp image and instead capturing the essence of a moment in a creative and artistic way. And in this forest, with its delicate and slender trees, I found the perfect canvas for my ICM experiment.

Aperture	ƒ/9
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/2.5s