older blog 5th jan to 14th jan
25th January 2010
Always Check your Camera
January 14th, 2010
by admin
This morning we were greeted with more fog. I decided to photograph the church in the Mall in Castlebar
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I was pleased with the picture but was disappointed when I got home and discovered I had left the camera set on 1000iso. This is a setting I would very rarely use as the quality of photograph is reduced the higher the iso. I often tell people on my courses to always check their cameras ,before you set off to take pictures, make sure everything on your camera is reset correctly. Well now you know why ! Do as I say not as I do!!
The fog lifted quickly so I decided I would take a trip to Lough Fiach and get some reflections of the lovely sky that was developing, in my minds eye I saw fog lifting off the lake also. On arrival at Lough Fiach there was no fog, and the slight breeze that was developing ment no reflections either! Lough Fiach is always beautiful but as a Landscape photographer I am always looking for something a bit special. So I decided to look around for something else. I really liked the Hawthorn tree which I had spotted many times before, but this morning the light was right.
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I am posting it in both black and white, which do you prefer ?
I also spent a little time “stalking” a few sheep, it was easy to photograph sheep but I was trying to get the background right, I think I succeeded with this one.
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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
What a difference a day makes!
January 13th, 2010
by admin
Well its much calmer today the wind has gone entirely. I read a report that Achill may have experienced a tornado yesterday, I would not be surprised.
This morning was certainly very calm but it remained very dark. I was thinking there would be no interesting light but around 10.30 there was a hint of a clearance from the west. I intended to go to Doolough but was unable to pass Croagh Patrick as it looked spectacular under cloud.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The short clearance felt great as the sun broke through, temperatures went up and I think people just felt better.
These two cockle pickers took advantage of the break in the weather.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Clearance did not last long, by 1pm fog and mist decended so I was glad I had taken the opportunity when it presented.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Stormy Weather
January 12th, 2010
by admin
Looking at the weather forecast last night I decided the expected wind would make a great change. There is a spot on Achill that is great for crashing waves so I decided I would make a quick trip this morning. As I drove in the car I listened to Tom Dunne on Newstalk who described the darkness of the day as being like end of time . I was inclined to agree but continued on my quest.
Well Achill was wild in the extreme the wind was coming from an unusual direction and despite it the waves at Claughmore did not put up their usual display.
To make matters worse I was unable to stand in the wind and had to grab the pictures from the car.
I stood behind the car at one point , using the open boot for shelter, but the car shook so much I thought it might blow into the sea without my considerable weight to keep it anchored!
I would not like to be a sailor.
It really was dark I had to put the iso up to 2000 so to be able to achieve a shutter speed of 200 at f2.8 on a 200mm lens! A tripod was simply out of the question. Not the normal settings for a landscape photographer!
Anyway I got a few pictures, They won’t be among my best.
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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Low Light
January 11th, 2010
by admin
Well today the thaw has started. I got up this morning to sleety rain and very low cloud cover. I struggled to go out but my resolution to post a new picture every day is still intact!
The light levels were very low so I decided to photograph something were low light would help!
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Moving water is a favourite subject for me. I used a 2stop neutral density filter to block out even more light. This resulted as in an exposure of 2 seconds at F22, and a steady tripod this little stream is at the foot of Croagh Patrick. It was treacherous to walk on the melting ice, I was amused by the notice not to climb on foggy or wet days!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
As I got back to the car a little Robin appeared, he hung around long enough for me to take his picture, Actually he posed! I think he was hoping I had brought sandwiches. !
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Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Clew Bay Freezes Over !
January 10th, 2010
by admin
Well today was another day in the icebox. I think this morning was the coldest yet ! I was up before the sun as usual and can report that the new battery and heater plugs in the car worked a treat, started on the first turn!
Thrilled I set off for Kinlooey Lough near Aughagower it really was freezing. As I walked on the little jetty you see in the picture there were loud cracking noises, it was more than a little disconcerting but was infact the ice on the lough cracking
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Sun never actually broke through today but the light early on was lovely, and for a very short period the sky was fantastic, it looked like it had been painted. I like to think it was my reward for getting up early.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Within 40 minutes of my arrival at the lough the light had completely changed as thick cloud cover came in.
I then took a trip out to Rossbeg. The sea water had actually frozen as the tide went out. Creating a surreal scene.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A couple of penguins waddled by, but I was changing lenses at the time so missed the shot, don’t you hate when that happens.
.
.
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
9th Jan. More Flats!
January 9th, 2010
by admin
Well the cold “snap” continues and so once again I set the alarm for early and set off to look for some good pictures. Well that’s what I had planned. More Car trouble Im afraid. We are very fortunate to own two cars, but this morning both refused to start. They just don’t like the cold! My own battery was already giving trouble and it finally gave up the ghost this morning. Unperturbed I decided I would just stay local and walk! I elected not to carry the tripod, apart from the weight it is very cold to handle. Well found some lovely frosted heathers but without a tripod I was unable to hold the camera steady for the 1/25th of a second exposure . I did get a picture of some icicles . I deliberately included the phone to show scale!
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Having flattened the batteries in two cars this morning as I set out with the camera I glanced at the battery indicator on the camera, it said half full. It turned out to be half empty I was only out twenty minutes or so when it started to flash empty! Maybe it ,to, was effected by the cold.
I spent the rest of the day in the gallery and to and from garages.
.
.
Here are a couple of pictures I took yesterday when the fog lifted.
The Fog left a coating of ice on the trees.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Croagh Patrick looked like it had drawn a blanket over itself!
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I am full of hope for the morning, I have a new battery in my car and the camera battery is charging as I write this. The Sun’ll come up tomorrow!!
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Freezing Fog
January 8th, 2010
by admin
Freezing again today. Had trouble starting both cars this morning, luckily the second one started just before the battery died and I got mobile. I had arranged to meet Sinead for an “early light” photography session.
It was very foggy when we set off. Fog can be great to photograph but you have to rely on strong shapes so we decided to photograph trees. These trees at Turlough Castlebar are just perfect.
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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Snow What Snow !
January 7th, 2010
by admin
Well the forecasters got it all wrong for Westport. With heavy snow and or rain forecast I was actually looking forward to a morning in bed. I woke to clear skies. It took a while to clear the ice from the car before setting off gingerly for Rossbeg, just outside Westport. I am posting two pictures taken within seconds of each other, and both given the same treatment in photoshop. The only difference is the use of a polarizing filter on the darker picture. There are two filters that I regularly use, they are, a graduated neutral density and a polarizer.
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….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
This evening I visited the same location that I got yesterdays sunset pictures. I did not expect to get any pictures, I was just showing Sinead a fellow photographer the location. The clouds were fantastic so we both got the tripods out and spent half an hour trying to capture the scene. Sometimes its worth visiting locations just to see what might happen. Certainly today if I had gone by the weather forecast I would not have visited either location and would not have got the pictures!
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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
6th Jan Flying away
January 6th, 2010
by admin
Slept in this morning and was in the Gallery for most of the day so did not get out until late. Just captured the sun as it disappeared behind Croagh Patrick. Photo taken at 16.28 shutter speed 200 and F16
Winter is a great time for Landscape photography, and of course the best time to photograph is the hour before and after sunrise and sunset. So having just captured the disappearing sun I drove up a nearby hill and decided to wait to see what colours might develop as the sun sank further
As I waited a jet passed over I assume it was heading to America . I wondered about the people on board, how many were holiday makers and how many were people emigrating? It was amazing how the setting sun coloured the vapour trail.
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I waited just over half an hour before taking this picture, it felt much longer because of the cold, but the change in colour is incredible! Taken at 17.07 shutter speed 50th second and f6.3
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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
5th Jan Another Cold Morning
January 5th, 2010
by admin
We did get snow, well more slush then snow, the roads are deadly. Not enough snow to transform the landscape unfortunatly .
Today I was based in the studio . I was booked to provide one to one training in product photography. Anne- Marie had recently bought a set of 2 Elinchrom studio lights and needed some help to set up and explore how to achieve even lighting . We had a great morning and as a bonus I have just eaten the crab you see in the picture! The mussels in white wine sauce are only delicious , and all produced locally.
Check them out for yourself www.connemaraseafoods.com
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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
« older posts newer posts »
rss Entries or Comments got Mojo?
New Additions
Black and White Gallery 1
Black and White Gallery 2
Colour Gallery 1
Colour Gallery 2
Cards
January 14th, 2010
by admin
This morning we were greeted with more fog. I decided to photograph the church in the Mall in Castlebar
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I was pleased with the picture but was disappointed when I got home and discovered I had left the camera set on 1000iso. This is a setting I would very rarely use as the quality of photograph is reduced the higher the iso. I often tell people on my courses to always check their cameras ,before you set off to take pictures, make sure everything on your camera is reset correctly. Well now you know why ! Do as I say not as I do!!
The fog lifted quickly so I decided I would take a trip to Lough Fiach and get some reflections of the lovely sky that was developing, in my minds eye I saw fog lifting off the lake also. On arrival at Lough Fiach there was no fog, and the slight breeze that was developing ment no reflections either! Lough Fiach is always beautiful but as a Landscape photographer I am always looking for something a bit special. So I decided to look around for something else. I really liked the Hawthorn tree which I had spotted many times before, but this morning the light was right.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I am posting it in both black and white, which do you prefer ?
I also spent a little time “stalking” a few sheep, it was easy to photograph sheep but I was trying to get the background right, I think I succeeded with this one.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
What a difference a day makes!
January 13th, 2010
by admin
Well its much calmer today the wind has gone entirely. I read a report that Achill may have experienced a tornado yesterday, I would not be surprised.
This morning was certainly very calm but it remained very dark. I was thinking there would be no interesting light but around 10.30 there was a hint of a clearance from the west. I intended to go to Doolough but was unable to pass Croagh Patrick as it looked spectacular under cloud.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The short clearance felt great as the sun broke through, temperatures went up and I think people just felt better.
These two cockle pickers took advantage of the break in the weather.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Clearance did not last long, by 1pm fog and mist decended so I was glad I had taken the opportunity when it presented.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Stormy Weather
January 12th, 2010
by admin
Looking at the weather forecast last night I decided the expected wind would make a great change. There is a spot on Achill that is great for crashing waves so I decided I would make a quick trip this morning. As I drove in the car I listened to Tom Dunne on Newstalk who described the darkness of the day as being like end of time . I was inclined to agree but continued on my quest.
Well Achill was wild in the extreme the wind was coming from an unusual direction and despite it the waves at Claughmore did not put up their usual display.
To make matters worse I was unable to stand in the wind and had to grab the pictures from the car.
I stood behind the car at one point , using the open boot for shelter, but the car shook so much I thought it might blow into the sea without my considerable weight to keep it anchored!
I would not like to be a sailor.
It really was dark I had to put the iso up to 2000 so to be able to achieve a shutter speed of 200 at f2.8 on a 200mm lens! A tripod was simply out of the question. Not the normal settings for a landscape photographer!
Anyway I got a few pictures, They won’t be among my best.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Low Light
January 11th, 2010
by admin
Well today the thaw has started. I got up this morning to sleety rain and very low cloud cover. I struggled to go out but my resolution to post a new picture every day is still intact!
The light levels were very low so I decided to photograph something were low light would help!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Moving water is a favourite subject for me. I used a 2stop neutral density filter to block out even more light. This resulted as in an exposure of 2 seconds at F22, and a steady tripod this little stream is at the foot of Croagh Patrick. It was treacherous to walk on the melting ice, I was amused by the notice not to climb on foggy or wet days!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
As I got back to the car a little Robin appeared, he hung around long enough for me to take his picture, Actually he posed! I think he was hoping I had brought sandwiches. !
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Clew Bay Freezes Over !
January 10th, 2010
by admin
Well today was another day in the icebox. I think this morning was the coldest yet ! I was up before the sun as usual and can report that the new battery and heater plugs in the car worked a treat, started on the first turn!
Thrilled I set off for Kinlooey Lough near Aughagower it really was freezing. As I walked on the little jetty you see in the picture there were loud cracking noises, it was more than a little disconcerting but was infact the ice on the lough cracking
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Sun never actually broke through today but the light early on was lovely, and for a very short period the sky was fantastic, it looked like it had been painted. I like to think it was my reward for getting up early.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Within 40 minutes of my arrival at the lough the light had completely changed as thick cloud cover came in.
I then took a trip out to Rossbeg. The sea water had actually frozen as the tide went out. Creating a surreal scene.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A couple of penguins waddled by, but I was changing lenses at the time so missed the shot, don’t you hate when that happens.
.
.
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
9th Jan. More Flats!
January 9th, 2010
by admin
Well the cold “snap” continues and so once again I set the alarm for early and set off to look for some good pictures. Well that’s what I had planned. More Car trouble Im afraid. We are very fortunate to own two cars, but this morning both refused to start. They just don’t like the cold! My own battery was already giving trouble and it finally gave up the ghost this morning. Unperturbed I decided I would just stay local and walk! I elected not to carry the tripod, apart from the weight it is very cold to handle. Well found some lovely frosted heathers but without a tripod I was unable to hold the camera steady for the 1/25th of a second exposure . I did get a picture of some icicles . I deliberately included the phone to show scale!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Having flattened the batteries in two cars this morning as I set out with the camera I glanced at the battery indicator on the camera, it said half full. It turned out to be half empty I was only out twenty minutes or so when it started to flash empty! Maybe it ,to, was effected by the cold.
I spent the rest of the day in the gallery and to and from garages.
.
.
Here are a couple of pictures I took yesterday when the fog lifted.
The Fog left a coating of ice on the trees.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Croagh Patrick looked like it had drawn a blanket over itself!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I am full of hope for the morning, I have a new battery in my car and the camera battery is charging as I write this. The Sun’ll come up tomorrow!!
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Freezing Fog
January 8th, 2010
by admin
Freezing again today. Had trouble starting both cars this morning, luckily the second one started just before the battery died and I got mobile. I had arranged to meet Sinead for an “early light” photography session.
It was very foggy when we set off. Fog can be great to photograph but you have to rely on strong shapes so we decided to photograph trees. These trees at Turlough Castlebar are just perfect.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Snow What Snow !
January 7th, 2010
by admin
Well the forecasters got it all wrong for Westport. With heavy snow and or rain forecast I was actually looking forward to a morning in bed. I woke to clear skies. It took a while to clear the ice from the car before setting off gingerly for Rossbeg, just outside Westport. I am posting two pictures taken within seconds of each other, and both given the same treatment in photoshop. The only difference is the use of a polarizing filter on the darker picture. There are two filters that I regularly use, they are, a graduated neutral density and a polarizer.
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
This evening I visited the same location that I got yesterdays sunset pictures. I did not expect to get any pictures, I was just showing Sinead a fellow photographer the location. The clouds were fantastic so we both got the tripods out and spent half an hour trying to capture the scene. Sometimes its worth visiting locations just to see what might happen. Certainly today if I had gone by the weather forecast I would not have visited either location and would not have got the pictures!
…………………..
…………………….
………………….
…………………….
…………………………
………………………….
…………………………….
……………………………….
…………………………………..
……………………………………….
…………………………………………..
……………………………………………
…………………………………………….
…………………………………………….
…………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
6th Jan Flying away
January 6th, 2010
by admin
Slept in this morning and was in the Gallery for most of the day so did not get out until late. Just captured the sun as it disappeared behind Croagh Patrick. Photo taken at 16.28 shutter speed 200 and F16
Winter is a great time for Landscape photography, and of course the best time to photograph is the hour before and after sunrise and sunset. So having just captured the disappearing sun I drove up a nearby hill and decided to wait to see what colours might develop as the sun sank further
As I waited a jet passed over I assume it was heading to America . I wondered about the people on board, how many were holiday makers and how many were people emigrating? It was amazing how the setting sun coloured the vapour trail.
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
I waited just over half an hour before taking this picture, it felt much longer because of the cold, but the change in colour is incredible! Taken at 17.07 shutter speed 50th second and f6.3
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
….
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
5th Jan Another Cold Morning
January 5th, 2010
by admin
We did get snow, well more slush then snow, the roads are deadly. Not enough snow to transform the landscape unfortunatly .
Today I was based in the studio . I was booked to provide one to one training in product photography. Anne- Marie had recently bought a set of 2 Elinchrom studio lights and needed some help to set up and explore how to achieve even lighting . We had a great morning and as a bonus I have just eaten the crab you see in the picture! The mussels in white wine sauce are only delicious , and all produced locally.
Check them out for yourself www.connemaraseafoods.com
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
« older posts newer posts »
rss Entries or Comments got Mojo?
New Additions
Black and White Gallery 1
Black and White Gallery 2
Colour Gallery 1
Colour Gallery 2
Cards