Glowing Light on Warren Strand

Some time after sunset this evening on Warren Strand, Co Cork. The clouds blowing in brought rain with them, thus putting a stop to any further photographic adventures.

What is the glow? That’s my phone light shining on the incoming tide. The sharp turn to the right was me noticing the water had unexpectedly come in faster and the legs of my camera tripod were now submerged in a few centimetres of water. I had to wait for the water to recede before I could grab my camera and bring it to safety.


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO400
Shutter speed30s

Michael Collins and the Big Wheel

I was out and about with friends from Blarney Photography Club on Thursday night, and we got some great shots of the big wheel on Grand Parade. This year the big wheel is joined by a statue of the Big Fellah, Michael Collins.

Check out Henry’s photo here.


Apertureƒ/18
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO100
Shutter speed15s

The Big Wheel Portal

This Ferris Wheel or Big Wheel is a portal to a new world. Look carefully, and you can see Cork at the end of the portal.

Check out Henry and Nuala’s photos from last night: Henry, Nuala 1, and Nuala 2.


Apertureƒ/5.6
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length101mm
ISO100
Shutter speed2s

Red and Blue and a Bike

In the back of a taxi, looking out through a window laden with drops. The warm red and orange lights from street lighting and the rear brakes of a Tesla win against the cold, almost blue headlights of a passing car.
A bike in the background belongs to someone who isn’t home yet.


Apertureƒ/1.7
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length6.3mm
ISO1600
Shutter speed1/17s

From Evening to Night in Cork

The north side of Cork City, with the North Cathedral and Shandon Bells visible. The Church of the Ascension is barely visible on the horizon, with the restored glowing cross bright in the night sky.

This is a time blend photo. Two images, shot at different times of the day, combined into one. The sky was photographed at sunset, when the sky was still bright, while the urban streets and buildings were captured much later after sunset. A first attempt, on an evening of rain and cold when we didn’t expect much of a sunset at all.

Here’s a video that explains how to do it:

Here’s another, slightly different edit of the photo that will make it more obvious what’s going on.

A time blend of the north side of Cork City with The North Cathedral and the steeple of St. Anne's Church, or Shandon Bells visible.

Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length54mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/60s

Have a seat on the bridge

In Valencia, Spain, they rerouted a river that ran through the city, making a very long park through the city. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the science museum, is behind me, nestled in the space the river once took, while in front is the Pont l’Assut de l’Or. It’s a beautiful bridge spanning the gap over the old river.

In the background is the Caixa Forum, and further on, out of view is the Museu Oceanogràfic, the fabulous aquarium in the city.

All along the old river run paths and play fields, grassy areas, trees, and benches for sitting on. It’s a wonderful place to visit if you’re in the city. Bikes can be hired too, but I found it stressful because there were so many people around. Getting the bus is easier.

The photo above was shot before sunrise, when the only people around were joggers and people working in the local area. Lovely and quiet!

Unfortunately, there’s a bin at the end of every bench. Not much I could do about it. I wanted to remove it in Photoshop, but I appear to have this bug where no tools work. Uninstalling and reinstalling did not help. 🙁


Apertureƒ/10
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO400
Shutter speed2.5s

Shadowy Groynes at Sunset

As the sun sets, one thing I like to do is intentionally moving the camera lens, so the resulting picture is more abstract, but still captures the colours and shadows of the sunset.

This is what I did in Youghal a few months ago with Blarney Photography Club. Standing in the water, I swung the lens horizontally. The sun had almost set, so it caused a streak at the horizon and the groynes in the water looked like shadowy transparent obstructions.


Apertureƒ/4.5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length44mm
ISO100
Shutter speed2s