Night in Glendalough

I usually visit Glendalough during the daytime when I go trail running up along the Spink, but as I was keen to try out some night time photography and in particular trying to capture the stars, I went out just before midnight down to the first lake.

it is a perfect spot, no urban light pollution and so peaceful except for the odd calling of the deer, which is quite eery. I hadn’t tried long exposure for quite awhile so wasn’t too sure what to expect. Initial results where mediocre at best, but after trying different setting I managed to capture the above image.

it is quite amazing how bright a photograph can become when exposed for several seconds or minutes. At first it is hard to see whether the camera captures the stars and as it is a long exposure there is natural movement as the image captures the very slow movement of the earths rotation.

This experiment definitely is worth trying again.

Warehouse on the Water

I’ve walked through Wicklow Town many times and seen this view on several occasions. I usually carry my camera almost everywhere I go but only had my iPhone and knowing it takes great photos I managed to capture the above view.

I loved the reflection of the buildings in the water, which given it was early afternoon was surprisingly calm. It was a cold day in early December, so the light was very sharp and the sky clear and blue.

While you can plan these photos over in your mind, sometimes right time, right place and right view just happen.

On another day, I could plan this, set it up and wait for hours for the right shot to be taken.

With photography it always ‘Carpe Diem’ or in this case seize the moment.

The Shuttering Detail

Not all photographs taken will appeal.

Sometimes what appeals to one person, will not to another. Photography, like many others things in life is subjective.

For me this is a really interesting image, though not one that most people would consider taking. I was walking past a construction site for a renovated villa in Al Barsha and coming from a design and construction background, I am always curious when I see hoarding and construction work.

Looking through the hoardings, I noticed the shuttering for a column and the steel bolts that held the pieces of timber in place. I liked the composition of the shot, the juxtaposition between the natural timber material anf all it’s details and the hard steel bolts.

The arrangement of the shuttering, forming the parallel perspective adds to the balance of the photograph. Using a zoom lens allowed me to take the photo, without needing to trespass on the site, even though it was the weekend and there was no working.

I also like there way the shadows help emphasis the depth of the image.

For me it is all about looking at your surroundings and seeing beyond the obvious.

The Tree

This image was taken in the early evening along Jumeirah Beach, as the sun was beginning to go down. I noticed this person practising yoga and it seemed like a perfect photo opportunity.

Being on an open beach, taking photos of people especially in Dubai can be tricky, so I asked would the person mind if I took a picture of her from behind to create a silhouette. I explained that I would show the photo after and would delete it, if she did not like it.

Luckily the photo turned out exactly as I wanted and Anastasia also liked the photo and was happy for me to keep it. I shared it with her later when I returned to my apartment.

The combination of the ‘Tree” yoga position, with the setting sun positioned directly behind the persons head created a balanced composition, which accentuates the calmness of the pose.

I am extremely grateful to Anastacia for kindly allowing me to take the photo.

Hands across time

Hands have always fascinate me. I am drawn to the detail that hands provide, different skin tones, with pronounced veins seemingly suggesting a hard days work has been done.

I imagine a life’s story in a person’s hands. It is like as window into their past. Was if comfortable? or did they do manual labour? are they now afflicted by crippling arthritis or do they still possess the elixir of life and manage to stay healthy.

For years, I have viewed people’s hands and the information they provide and wandered what they did. I have always been determined to carry out a photographic study of hands and will hope to complete this and add it to the current body of work, I have included in this website.

The hands that appear hear are those of my father-in-law. He loves the sun and given that this last summer was reasonably warm in Ireland, he was always to be found sitting outside.

There must be Spanish blood in him as his skin becomes brown very quickly. I took a series of photos last June, much to his amusement. Couldn’t quite understand my fascination with hands, but was even so very obliging.

The skin tone, along with the lines of age, all add to provide a beautiful photograph, especially placed against the worn pair of jeans.

The Boy

I was in the process of taking a photograph of the recently ‘gentrified’ buildings in Bur Dubai, next to Dubai Creek, when this little boy crossed in front of my camera just as I was taking the shot.

After I had taken a look at the photo, I noticed his parents passing back in the other direction and tried to catch up with them, to show them the photo and offer to share it with them, Unfortunately by the time I had turned the corner the family were getting in a taxi and disappeared before I had a chance to call out. 

Sometimes opportunities occur, without any preparation and they can provide some beautiful results. 

Poppie & Saran

Never was a dog more photographed than Poppie and she loved to pose. It was if she knew she had to sit still for the camera and always stayed until you were finished.

She had an amazing temperament and brought many years of joy and happiness to our family.

This photo was taken during a birthday party photo shoot for my daughter Saran, but Poppie always was included in family events and this was no different.

I love the light in this photo, it enhances Poppies hair colouring as well as matching Saran’s beautiful skin tone

Time for tea

On many occasions I met some really interesting people. I was nervous at the start taking photos of people, not really sure how they would react. In UAE, there are restrictions in taking photographs and in some cases the photographer can get into serious trouble, if they happen to take a photos of someone and that person then makes a complaint. Fines and even a sentence can ordered, depending on the nature of the complaint.

That said, my own experience was nothing but pleasant, knowing who and what not to photograph definitely helped. As an example many of the migrant workers, Afghani’s. Pakistani’s, Indians, Nepalese in particular actually appreciated their photo being taken. I mainly took photos of older people but had many younger generation people also asking why did I not take their photo as well.

The two Afghani gentlemen above, saw me with my camera and asked if I would take their ‘picture’ Having done so they invited me to join them in a cup of local ‘Karik’ tea. I really enjoyed spending time getting to know different people and no better way than accepting their invitation.

Nuts & Bolts

During one of my photographic ‘walkabouts’ in Al Barsha, Dubai, I came across a vacant plot, that had several large concrete blocks used for load testing and on top of the blocks were these large nuts and bolts. I could immediately see an opportunity and began taking photos.

Suddenly a man came running over the road from the construction site opposite and began asking was everything alright, seeming to be very concerned that I was inspecting the bolts. After some reassurance from myself, but not entirely convinced he went back to work.

The next day I realised what his concern had been. These bolts were part of a crane assembly which was almost complete. The man must have thought I was an inspector and was worried he wouldn’t be able to assemble the crane in time and started to panic.

Butcher & Baker

Almost every Friday, while I was living in Dubai, if I wasn’t travelling to a different part of UAE, I would walk from my apartment in Al Barsha and make my way to Bur Dubai or Deira. Walking is not something many people do in Dubai mainly due to the heat, but for me it was the best way of discovery the real Dubai.

Once one occasion I came across a butcher in Bur Dubai, who was more curious as to why I would want to take a photo inside a butchers.

The Afghani baker however was very happy for me to take his and his colleagues photos and invited me into the small bakery. They were very humble but generous giving me fresh bread to taste.