I had a great time today at the Dawstown Point-to-Point horse racing event! The races started at 2 pm and continued until 4.30 pm, and I went with some of my buddies from the Blarney Photography Club. We positioned ourselves near the second last jump, and it was a super fun day filled with lots of action and photography opportunities. I’m excited to share this selection of my favourite shots with you!
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 600mm |
| ISO | 2500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/2000s |
As I strolled towards our apartment, the tantalizing aroma of Spanish cuisine filled the air. My eyes scanned the street and landed on a cozy restaurant, where the lively chatter of people enjoying their meals echoed through the evening air. Among them, I spotted a couple fully engrossed in a deep conversation, savouring the last bites of their scrumptious dinner.
At that moment, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “This is the life!” The warm weather, light fare, and refreshing drinks – all in the company of loved ones – made for the perfect recipe for relaxation.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 35mm |
| ISO | 5000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
If you’re a fan of street art, you’ll love this vibrant and eye-catching hoarding in Cork City. What was once a dull and drab barrier around a derelict site has been transformed into a colourful canvas of graffiti. The hoarding is situated on the corner of Sheare Street and Grattan Street and it’s impossible to miss its bold and striking presence.
While the small one-storey building that once stood on this spot may be long gone, the art that has taken its place is alive with energy and creativity. I was particularly drawn to the striking eye that gazes out at the world from the corner of the hoarding. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the midst of decay and neglect, there is always beauty to be found in unexpected places.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1600s |
Here’s another photo from my recent team meetup in Germany, where we got to see these incredible mountains that span the border of Germany and Austria. We were up pretty high too, around 1500m at Bergstation Herzogstandbahn, which made for a wonderful view.
Of course, the weather wasn’t exactly on our side – those ominous black clouds overhead made it feel like it could start raining or snowing at any moment. But honestly, it only added to the atmosphere and the sense of adventure. It wasn’t too cold at first, but on the way back to the gondola, the weather turned, and it got noticeably colder up there. It was totally worth it to see this incredible natural wonder. I just can’t get over how powerful and peaceful nature can be at the same time.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 172mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1250s |
Amidst the stunning scenery of Portugal’s Douro Valley, we found ourselves at Quinta da Roêda, a picturesque vineyard nestled under a breathtaking blue sky. As far as the eye could see, the vines stretched out into the distance, beckoning us to explore further.
A solitary tree stood tall nearby, while on the horizon, two tall, thin evergreens created a natural border against the rolling hills. It was a serene moment, a glimpse into the raw beauty of nature and the splendour of the Douro Valley’s vineyards.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 31mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/160s |
In the midst of a mellow July evening, I met with members of Blarney Photography Club at Bell’s Field, a blissful backdrop boasting breathtaking views of the north side of Cork City. From my lens, I looked upon The Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, majestically standing on Cathedral Road, and The Church of the Ascension, nestled amidst the cityscape.
My eyes drank in the details of countless cosy homes while cars careened along the winding road below, adding a dynamic dash to my dreamy, detailed composition. It was an awe-inspiring moment, an alliterative adventure accentuating the essence of Cork City in one captivating click.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 240mm |
| ISO | 12800 |
| Shutter speed | 1/200s |
We had trudged up and down rugged hills, wearing snow shoes, until we finally came to a stop, feeling sore and utterly exhausted. The sun blazed down on us as we stood at 1500m on a crisp, clear day. Ahead of us loomed another hill, descending a valley and then ascending at a steep incline. At the bottom, we spotted two skiers preparing to travel further down the slopes.
In the foreground, a sign attached to a precarious, leaning pole caught our attention. It commanded us to “Halt”, but the sign pointing to the ski lift pointed upwards towards the sky, which was fitting because the ski lift itself ascended the side of a dauntingly steep hill.
Wisely, I believe, we decided to take a break for lunch instead of attempting that treacherous incline. 🙂
| Aperture | ƒ/9 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 146mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/2000s |
The new year was welcomed by fireworks lit by a random guy in Plaza de la Marina in Malaga. I thought there would be spectacular fireworks over by the lighthouse as the clocks struck 12, but no, the skies remained empty.
We turned away and saw fireworks lighting the sky next to the towering Hotel Soho Boutique Equitativa near the plaza. Bangers were lit and it was very noisy. I remembered I had Bluetooth earphones, and they helped dull the noise when I started playing Pet Shop Boys a little louder than I would normally.
All the photos were hand held. I had a tripod, but it was hard to know when a firework would go up. I eventually set up the tripod during a lull when they lit some sort of sparkler on the ground, but then the main protagonists just walked away. The show was over.
It was my first time shooting fireworks close up and handheld. I shot in manual mode, with the aperture as wide as I could, ISO 100. After a few shots, I switched to back button focus and focused on the hotel, but I’m not sure if it helped much.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 108mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1s |
Low tide on the River Lee recently, but with the talk of drought in Europe this summer, it’s hard not to jump to the conclusion that the water level is extra low.
I drove by the river yesterday evening during high tide. The water was only 30cm or less below the level of the street, an extremely high tide, and quite a contrast to the low!
The round tower in the graveyard in Ardmore on a bright February afternoon.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/125s |
A lady with her canine friends on a bench in Windsor, in the UK. August 2012.
| Aperture | ƒ/7.1 |
| Camera | Canon EOS 40D |
| Focal length | 125mm |
| ISO | 200 |
| Shutter speed | 1/160s |
Near Glencolmcille, Co Donegal in 2017. A beautiful part of the country.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | Canon EOS 6D |
| Focal length | 17mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/50s |