When you’ve been to the shops, it’s nice to sit down with a friend for a chat.
| Aperture | ƒ/1.8 |
| Camera | SM-G998B |
| Focal length | 6.7mm |
| ISO | 639 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Tag Archives: Street Photography
A Solitary Figure in Birmingham
Walking along Corporation Street, I was watching out for interesting people to photograph when I saw a man watching people walking past. We’d just come out of Grand Central Shopping Centre, the sun was shining, and I quickly walked over to the shaded part of the street. It was too warm for me. Might have been the same for this gentleman.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 320 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Cork’s Social Life Spills Onto the Street
The Long Valley Bar is always busy, and I love seeing interesting characters sitting at the tables outside.
The Long Valley Bar has been serving Cork since 1842 and is famous for its traditional “combination” sandwiches – hence the “Plain Comb” on the menu board. These legendary sandwiches typically contain a hearty mix of meats, cheese, and pickles, and have remained virtually unchanged in recipe for over a century. The pub’s sandwiches have achieved almost mythical status among Cork locals and visitors alike, with many considering them the best pub grub in Ireland. The establishment has retained its original Victorian fittings and atmosphere, making it not just a place to eat, but a living piece of Cork’s social history.
| Aperture | ƒ/3.5 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 400 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
McCarthy’s: the pink garage
The derelict McCarthy’s Garage as it was in 2021 in Schull, Co Cork. The building today is very different, but it’s still pink! I have a few photos of the old petrol pumps that stood outside the building somewhere on this site, going further back in time.
The slate roof visible on the McCarthy’s building is typical of traditional Irish architecture. Irish slate was quarried extensively in counties like Valentia Island in Kerry and was prized for its durability and weather resistance, often lasting well over 100 years when properly maintained, which explains why so many original slate roofs still grace Irish buildings today.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 160 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
West Cork for Palestine in Skibbereen
While enjoying the market in Skibbereen I spotted a march in support of Palestine and got a few photos. It was West Cork for Palestine marching. They were a small group but made up for it in noise and their presence.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/640s |
A Monkey Attraction
A man walks through Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakesh with a monkey on a chain, looking for tourists who will have their photo taken with his companion.
We humans don’t treat animals well.
| Aperture | ƒ/5.6 |
| Camera | Canon EOS 40D |
| Focal length | 179mm |
| ISO | 500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/200s |
An Urban Tribute to Frederick Douglass
A few years ago, a small mural was painted on a box on Grand Parade, featuring Frederick Douglass. Google Maps shows it was still there in 2024, but I’m not sure about it now.
Frederick Douglass visited Ireland in 1845 and was warmly received, finding a sense of freedom here that contrasted sharply with his experiences in the United States.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 240mm |
| ISO | 400 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Frederick Douglass Inspires in Cork City Centre
I love this mural of Frederick Douglass. It’s painted on a wall of the small avenue going up to the Unitarian Church on Princes Street. I think the church has been closed for quite some time, but I’m glad this area is maintained.
The history of the church here is fascinating too.
After a fire in January 2024 destroyed the interior of the chapel, Cork Unitarian Church was left without a home and with little hope of continuing. Some of the church’s lay leadership believed that there was a future if the model for running the church radically changed. The church now operates as a Limited by Guarentee corporation – independent of external ecclesiastic governance (e.g. ordained ministers, synods, etc.). This is more in keeping with the model of most Unitarian Universalist (i.e. UU) church congregations in the EU (see: EUU). The Cork church congregation no longer has a permanent building to maintain. All of the energies of the church go to meeting the needs of the congregation, not preserving historically significant architecture.
While the Cork congregation has moved on to a different way of doing “church”. The congregation still has an affection for its former Princess street home. We also have an interest as Corkonians in seeing that the asset of the building, with all of its historic and architectural significance, is preserved. Cork Unitarian Church supports effort to donate and repurpose the Princes Street building as a publicly held asset – revitalising Cork’s City Centre and providing social and cultural benefits of the entire Cork community.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 1000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Bicycles and Banter on Castle Street
I interrupted a conversation in process when I took this photo, as the man on the bike noticed me. I don’t think I’ve seen his since I took this photo in March, 2021.
| Aperture | ƒ/3.5 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 250 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
A Splash of Yellow and Red
A couple sitting at an outdoor table in a little café in Athens, Greece about a year ago. Their body language couldn’t be more different, and every time I look at this image, I wonder what they were talking about.
Their roles in this conversation are opposed. He appears relaxed and confident, while she is reserved, nervous, maybe defensive?
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 1250 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Three for Ten: A Pub Special
Outside the Vicarstown Bar, a man in a suit pauses at the threshold, engrossed in his newspaper before stepping fully inside. The chalkboard out front boasts a tempting “3 for 10 Handsum IPA” offer, hinting at the lively sessions that await within.
| Aperture | ƒ/4 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| ISO | 160 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Elvis wants you to get a haircut
Well, Elvis works at a barber shop now.
| Aperture | ƒ/2.8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 125 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |