Dunquin’s Dramatic Edge

Dunquin Harbour is mostly photographed from the cliffs above because there is a narrow winding path that descends on a steep trajectory to sea level.

As I said previously in my photo of An Fear Marbh the sky was a monochrome grey but suddenly the clouds dispersed and some of the lovely light of the sunset leaked through. This is a bracketed shot I got from near sea level before rushing up the path to get a few more photos. ๐Ÿ™‚

Dunquin Harbour served as the traditional departure point for boats traveling to the now-uninhabited Blasket Islands, with the last permanent residents leaving in 1953. The harbour’s dramatic location at the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula made it strategically important for accessing the islands, despite the challenging Atlantic conditions. The area is rich in Irish language and culture, being part of the Kerry Gaeltacht where Irish is still spoken as a community language. The distinctive rock formations visible in this photograph are part of the ancient geological structure of the Dingle Peninsula, composed primarily of Devonian sandstones and siltstones that were formed over 400 million years ago and shaped by countless Atlantic storms.


Apertureƒ/13
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/5s

An Fear Marbh at Sunset

It looked like there wouldn’t be any sunset, but I was down at the bottom of Dunquin Pier when I saw an orange glow coming from behind the large rock blocking my view of the sun that had just set.

If you know how steep that path down to the pier is, I hope you’ll have some sympathy for me as I raced up again to capture what turned out to be a momentary break in the thick clouds. I was surprised I saw any colour in the sky!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length42mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/8s

Sunset Fishing at Ballycotton Pier

Four fishermen silhouetted against golden sunset sky while angling from Ballycotton pier with layered clouds and reflected light on water, County Cork

A series of photos showing men fishing off the pier at Ballycotton, Co Cork a couple of weeks ago. It was a beautiful evening. Lovely time to be there.

Evening fishing scene showing silhouetted anglers on Ballycotton pier with dramatic storm clouds gathering overhead and village buildings visible in background, County Cork

Sunset fishing at Ballycotton pier with harbour crane silhouetted against dramatic sky, anglers casting lines as sun sets over the water, County Cork

Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/320s

Ballycotton’s Famous Beacon at Dusk

Ballycotton Lighthouse as pictured from the end of the pier at the village of the same name last Thursday night. It was a lovely evening. Warm and with just enough clouds to make for a spectacular sunset.

The Moon was due to rise almost behind the island here, but a huge cloud bank covered the horizon, spoiling our chances of capturing that moment.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO160
Shutter speed1/60s

Purple Skies Over Ballycotton

I was in Ballycotton last night on an outing with Blarney Photography Club. Our summer outings are a highlight of the year and always a nice social event for all involved.

When we got there, it was a nice evening, and I hoped there would be a nice sunset, and there was, but after the sun set, the sky lit up in a spectacular way. Fishermen were nearby, providing a nice silhouette for my photo.

We had hoped to photograph the Moon as it rose beyond the lighthouse there, but a thick band of cloud prevented us from seeing it until it was far off to the side. Maybe another day.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length27mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/10s

Warning: Photographers at Work

Some members of Blarney Photography Club as they worked with their cameras just off the beach in Youghal, Co. Cork last night.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length172mm
ISO100
Shutter speed5s

Scottish Skyline: From Spires to Bridges

A beautiful sunset pictured from our apartment in Edinburgh a few weeks ago. The weather was glorious that week! It hardly rained at all!

Did you know that the Forth Bridge, visible just left of centre, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the worldโ€™s longest cantilever railway bridge when it opened in 1890? It’s still a marvel of Victorian engineering that stands proud on the Scottish skyline.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length172mm
ISO250
Shutter speed1/200s

Pastel Skies Over Edinburgh

I wasn’t expecting much of a sunset this evening because the sky at the horizon was filled with clouds, but I was proved wrong. The clouds were lit up in a lovely glow by the setting sun.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length166mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/40s

Silhouettes of Lisbon at Dusk

A glorious sunset over Lisbon in late 2023. The famous 25 de Abril Bridge is there, of course, as well as construction cranes nearby working in building sites.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length124mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/6400s

Family Moments by the Atlantic

I was watching the sun set in Tenerife when a family approached and walked by. They were silhouetted by the sun, but instead of the usual black shadows, I wanted to try something different. No doubt the purists will be scoffing at the bright vignettes. Well, thanks. ๐Ÿ™‚


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length122mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/400s

Hay Bales at Dusk

In a field behind Wine Strand on the Dingle Peninsula, I spotted some hay bales. The sun had already set, but the sky wasn’t very interesting. The lay of the land cast an interesting shadow and I like photographing bales whenever I see them.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/250s