I was there too
Vinyl records are in vogue again and upstairs in Golden Discs in Patrick Street, Cork is devoted to these black disks.
I have to admit I’ve rummaged through their selection of Queen records from time to time.
And look, is that Rory Gallagher on the wall? I went looking online for that photo, but can’t find it anywhere. If you recognise it, comment with a link!
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 3200 |
| 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 |
A building on the corner of Sheare Street and Moore Street in Cork appears to be derelict for a number of years. If you take a look at the location on Google Maps you can go back through the years.
In 2014 it appears someone broke the right hand window as it is covered by wood but in the next photo the window is covered by that paint again. Some time between 2017 and 2019 the front of the building was given a lick of paint. The pavement in front was upgraded in that time too so that might account for that.
There’s a bouquet of flowers outside the building in 2017 making me dread to think what reason it was there. 🙁
Anyway, this building is in a great location. It appears to have been an office. This and other buildings around the city that are underused might find more use as a residential building.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1000s |
Last Saturday night, I had the opportunity to see ‘The Service’ perform live at Coughlan’s Bar on Douglas Street, and I must say it was a truly unforgettable experience. The atmosphere created by the band’s performance of Ska music from the early 80s was electrifying, and the audience loved it.
For those unfamiliar with Ska music, it originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and became popular in the UK and Ireland during the 2 Tone movement in the late 1970s and early 80s. Ska is characterized by a syncopated beat, horn section, and upbeat tempo. It has been influential in the development of many modern music genres, such as reggae, punk rock, and hip-hop.
The Service’s performance was a tribute to this influential era of music, and they did an excellent job of capturing the energy and excitement of the genre. It’s impossible to listen to this music and not start bouncing up and down with the beat!
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 8000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
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 |
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 |
As the woman walked down the street, her attention was drawn to a vibrant red sign in the window of a shop. The sign read “REBAJAS HASTA – 50%,” indicating a significant sale. Intrigued, she paused to take a closer look at the window display.
Dressed in red herself, the woman peered through the door of the shop to catch a glimpse of the discounted items inside. She couldn’t help but wonder what treasures awaited her within the store. With the promise of discounts up to 50%, she knew it would be worth investigating further.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 400 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
As I was walking down the street, I noticed two young men engrossed in their phones. The first was casually leaning against the wall, while the second was perched on his motorbike, which was parked nearby. Despite being in different positions, they were both completely absorbed in their screens, lost in their own digital worlds.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 200 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
A woman sitting on a bench, engrossed in her phone. The bench is a unique design, held up by what appears to be a human figure on one end, and a dog on the other, giving it a whimsical and artistic look. Behind her, a poster catches the eye, featuring two people staring out with the text “You’re On,” likely an advertisement for a product or service.
As I walk by, I can’t help but marvel at the creativity and quirkiness of the bench design, and how it adds character to the urban landscape. Meanwhile, the poster behind the woman adds an intriguing element, leaving me to ponder what it could be advertising and how it connects to the theme of being “on.” It’s moments like these that remind me of the small, yet interesting details that make our daily surroundings unique and worth exploring.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 320 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
