Invisible Motion on the Lake

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.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length38mm
ISO100
Shutter speed30s

Abstract Forest in Motion

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.


Apertureƒ/9
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/2.5s

Horse and Cart in Motion

As I was strolling through the serene beauty of Killarney National Park, a horse and cart leisurely passed by. I couldn’t resist capturing this moment, and so I snapped a photo of the horse and cart using a slightly longer shutter time.

I love the resulting image. The soft light filtering through the leaves and branches of the trees creates an ethereal effect, with wavy lines adding an almost mystical quality to the scene. Most of the picture is a blur, of course, but the horse’s legs are a blur of motion, capturing the essence of its steady trot through the park.


Apertureƒ/11
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/2.5s

The crow wants your dinner

So, picture this: you’re sitting at a table, about to dive into your delicious dinner and dessert when suddenly, a crow appears out of nowhere and lands right on the table in front of you. And what does it want? Well, the half-eaten remnants of your scrumptious meal, of course!

A crow has no shame. It’s not content to settle for its own measly bird seed or whatever else it scavenged from the rubbish. No, it wants your food, and it wants it now.

And let me tell you, this crow is not messing around. It’s standing there on the table, staring you down with its beady little eyes, daring you to try to stop it from taking what it wants. You can practically hear it cawing, “This is my dinner now, human!”

So, what do you do? Do you give in to the demands of this brazen bird and hand over your hard-earned meal? Or do you stand your ground and protect your dinner and dessert at all costs? The choice is yours, my friends, but just remember: when it comes to crows, they always get the last caw.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length178mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/125s

The Old Weir Bridge in Killarney

The Old Weir Bridge is a picturesque bridge over a small river near the Lakes of Killarney in Ireland. The bridge is an old stone structure with arched openings, and it looks particularly beautiful against the natural backdrop of the river and trees.

The trees on both sides of the river are mostly bare, which creates an interesting contrast against the dark and heavy clouds in the sky. It’s a moody and atmospheric scene, and the bridge adds a touch of history and charm to the landscape.

It’s a popular spot for photographers and visitors who want to take in the beauty of the area. I highly recommend taking a stroll by the river and checking out the Old Weir Bridge.


Apertureƒ/13
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length65mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/20s

An Fear Marbh at Sunset

On a lovely summer’s evening on the Dingle Peninsula I photographed An Fear Marbh, yet again. It’s a picturesque part of the country so you can hardly blame me for taking photos! 🙂

Today I learned that, in English, it’s called Inishtooskert, which is an Anglicised version of the Irish name, “Inis Tuaisceart”, or “Northern Island”.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraDSC-RX100M4
Focal length13.2mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/1000s

A stag in the rain

A stag in the field opposite Muckross House in Killarney on a very wet October afternoon this year.

I was there with Blarney Photography Club and after a not so successful morning we retreated to the café in Muckross Garden Restaurant for lunch.

It was still raining afterwards, but some of us stopped outside to photograph this stag. In a lull in the rain I stupidly ran out with only a light jacket and took cover under a tree that was still heavy with leaves. Got a few shots and then the heavens opened. Got a bit soaked!

Totally worth it. Great day out with great people.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length600mm
ISO2000
Shutter speed1/1000s

The Gang is Watching

A gang of Kerry cattle observe me and a group of humans as we walk past their field.

Fun fact – they are “believed to be one of the oldest breeds in Europe” according to Wikipedia. 🙂


Apertureƒ/5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length150mm
ISO1600
Shutter speed1/500s

The Devil’s Coach Horse

I spotted this nasty looking fella on a trail in Killarney last weekend. We hoped to catch the rutting but the weather was terrible, and stags were shy. No fights but a few photos to post later..

Anyway, this guy was huge! This page says they’re about 2.8 cm, but I swear he was bigger. His tail comes up like a scorpion, and he scampered quickly across the ground, making him hard to photograph.

A ferocious and fast predator, the Devil’s coach horse beetle hunts invertebrates after dark in gardens and on grasslands. It is well-known for curling up its abdomen like the tail of a scorpion when defending itself.

wildlifetrusts.org

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a beetle like this before, but apparently they’re common!


Apertureƒ/5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length150mm
ISO1250
Shutter speed1/500s

An evening above Dunquin Pier

Dunquin Pier at the end of the Dingle Peninsula sits below a steep grassy cliff. Last year I saw three teenage girls sitting on the edge of the cliff you can see in this photo. I got dizzy just looking at them but they weren’t in (much) danger. There’s a step below where many feet have worn away the grass.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/30s