I was there too
The old railway line to Youghal lies neglected and deserted in this photo I took last November. The sun was setting, and I was almost over Covid 19, but it was a cold evening, and I retreated to the warmth of the car.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 1000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Edinburgh Castle in Scotland is a huge attraction for tourists and on the day I was there it was busy. It was a gorgeous day, with the sun beating down.
I really like this photo as I photographed two couples. One couple taking a selfie to remember the day, and in the background an older couple greeting each other and going in for a hug.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 28mm |
| ISO | 250 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
As I walked past Phil O’Sullivan Electrical, I noticed Henry, the vacuum cleaner, sitting on top of an old fridge. He looked happy, but it also made me wonder if he was okay. I mean, how could a vacuum cleaner be happy without his hose? Maybe it was lost or misplaced, and that’s why he had to resort to sitting on top of a fridge. My heart goes out to you, Henry!
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
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 |
So, a few weeks ago, I went with fellow members of Blarney Photography Club to Gougane Barra to catch the sunrise. Sadly, the clouds were pretty thick that day, but we still managed to get some cool photos. One shot I was particularly happy with was the reflection of the chapel on the island. Despite some showers here and there, we were lucky to catch some good light for our shots. Can’t wait to share more of these photos with you all in the coming months!
| Aperture | ƒ/11 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/50s |
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 |
