Blarney on a sunny winter day

This is the centre of Blarney village. It’s a lovely large green, enclosed on all sides by walls and with gates on the north and south sides.

Just goes to show, it’s not always raining in Ireland!

Aperture ƒ/11
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/320s

Rooftop Surveillance

The houses and roofs of the North Side, Cork City.

This was taken from Carroll’s Quay carpark almost a month ago. I love the old-style quality of the image, even if the shadow of the dish at the bottom detracts from that a bit.

Check out Stabarinde’s Christmas in Cork shots. I’m glad my photos inspire you! There are a few gorgeous night shots in that set.

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/160s

The Blarney Cat

Next time you’re in Blarney sit down on the benches next to Super Valu. Wait a few minutes and this cat will probably appear, especially in warm weather! 🙂

Aperture ƒ/6.3
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 200mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/200s

Christmas decorations on high

Christmas decorations on Paul Street, Cork a few days before Christmas Day last year.

Hand held, and I hoped to get a “normal” straight shot but it’s hard to crouch down while wearing a jacket and pushing a buggy so it’s lopsided. I prefer it that way!
Conversion to b/w I think brings out the descending pattern of the lights along the street although the original image wasn’t that saturated with colour to begin with.

Aperture ƒ/8
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/200s

Susan’s Fine Silver

During the Christmas rush I went searching for gifts for my wife and the first place I went was Susan’s Fine Silver on Marlboro Street in Cork.

This is Susan’s husband Barry, and that’s Michael replacing merchandise in the window. Both were very helpful and I got two lovely gifts for Jacinta. Thanks for your help!

We popped in there this afternoon because I couldn’t remember Barry and Michael’s names. Lucky we did because Barry hadn’t told his wife that I was posting this picture.

Latest news on the lens is that they’re waiting on a piece from Sigma Japan. So much for it being fixed and in transit. That’s almost 2 months to fix my lens.

Aperture ƒ/5
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 800
Shutter speed 1/60s

Firemen in action

Cork City Fire Brigade were called out this evening to a shop on Patrick Street.

I’m not sure what the emergency was but two fire engines were called to the scene and had a Garda escort on the way there. Maybe a gas leak?
A huge crowd gathered around and when some people saw my camera they just had to pose for a shot .. more on that next week!

Trivia: these are my first shots posted in 2008 that was taken in 2008. Plenty more 2007 ones to go through yet though!

The road to Blarney Castle

This is the private road to the estate on which Blarney Castle sits.

As I was walking about one late winter afternoon I spotted the lovely light shining through the trees and just had to take a snap!

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 144mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/160s

January Sales

The Christmas rush is over. Sales have been bad for retailers as people suddenly realised, “Oh! The mortgage has to be paid!”

Anyway, I’m half-hoping I’ll be able to pick up a Nintendo Wii somewhere. I don’t suppose they’ll be on sale will they?

I celebrate 10 years online this year! Go me!

Check out Donal’s new photoblog, Pana Vision!

Aperture ƒ/6.3
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/100s

Highrise Construction Over Cork City

Cranes still rise into the air, towering over everything else, even the Elysian Tower pictured on the right of this image.

The Irish economy may be slowing down but there’s still plenty of life in the old dog yet!

Happy new year! May 2008 be even better than 2007!

Aperture ƒ/6.3
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 75mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/640s

The sun sets on 2007

The final day of the year 2007. It’s cloudy and misty and rain is in the air. Very mild for this time of year actually.

2007 was a mixed bag for many people. It was a year of extremes – joy and sadness in equal measures, but life changing for myself and my wife as our son Adam was born into the world this year.

This sunset was shot at Garrettstown Beach a few weeks ago. Dedicated to the memory of Gerry who visited that beach with us before she passed away.

Aperture ƒ/16
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 200mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/1250s

Starlight headlights

A long five second exposure at f/22 captured cars stuck on Patrick Street about a month ago.

They’ve done some fabulous work on the pavements of Cork’s main thoroughfare but it hasn’t made a jot of difference to vehicular traffic, except to make it more dangerous to pedestrians as they saunter across junctions blissfully unaware of the cars bearing down on them ..

Aperture ƒ/22
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 5s

So many light trails

Light trails from passing cars fill the frame with a golden glow on the corner of The Grand Parade and Washington Street, Cork.

Long exposure shot made possible by the traffic light switch on which I rested my camera!

Aperture ƒ/22
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 13s