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Fun Friday - Not Green

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/6.7, 1/125, iso 160

Sort of following on yesterday's post, not everything in Ireland is green! This looks more like a scene from Scandanavia, but is in fact in the charming village of Dingle.

Let's go to Ireland

Sony NEX-7, 18-200mm, f/5.6, 1/320, iso 100

It's so lovely, so green.

First (Irish) Light

Sony NEX-7, 18-200mm, f/5.6, 1/124, iso 320

You may have heard that landscape photographers stand around a lot, waiting for the light. Well, it's true! This shot was taken nearly at the same time as this previous post, at Conor Pass in County Kerry. Basically I swung 180 degrees around.

There was an amazing quality to the light that morning. Because of the mist/fog overhead, we got so many shades of color. In this shot, you can see how literally the morning light was replacing the twilight. With the first rays of sunlight greeting the rocks and the fence.

Magic!

 

Wee bit of the Irish Countryside

Sony NEX-7, 18-200mm, f/7.1, 1/250, iso 100

We were shooting this day in an area known as the Black Valley. It's quite a ways out on a gravel road. There was a special destination we were going to. But off in the distance was this scene. I loved how they built their pastures, with rock walls. Classy looking structures too.

Given the remoteness of this area, I bet the owners were very pleased when those electrical lines were strung. This is classic Ireland.

Beach Art

Sony NEX-7, 18-200mm, f/6.3, 1/1000, iso 100

I might be going out on a limb with this image? Maybe a lot of people wouldn't think it is a keeper. I like it though, and since it is my blog, here we go.

In some ways it reminds me of this image, I suppose because it is also a beach seen and interpretive. There are a lot of interesting aspects to this image, but my most favorite is the composition itself, made up by the beach walkers.

The location is the improbably named "Inch Beach" on the Dingle peninsula. I had seen a few images of it, and when we got there, it looked like a fascinating place to shoot. Alas, we needed to get to our evening's destination. So this was a quick "grab shot" through the bus window. Pick up the camera and press the button.

Sometimes you get a mess. Sometimes you get art.

Wordless Wednesday

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Topaz Tuesday - B&W Stunner

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/9.5, 1/4th, iso 160

There is a beautiful spot called "ladies view," in County Kerry, Ireland. We shot there twice. Somewhat of an exercise in frustration due to these insects called Midges. Smaller than a mosquito, but more swarming.

I shot this awaiting the sunrise. The color version is interesting, but I felt a B&W treatment would be even better. In Topaz Black & White Effects, I went through quite a lot of presets, it was evident none was going to fix up the dark image in one shot.

I settled on Warm Tone II, then made a series of adjustments in the Conversion set, including basic exposure, curves, and so on. The protect highlights and protect shadows came in handy to deal with the wide tonal range.

As always, the original can be found on the Continue link below.

Monday Morning Drama

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/6.7, 1/125, iso 250

I must say I never have trouble getting up early for a morning shoot. Lucky that way. Maybe because I fished a lot as a kid?

I always tell photographers that they really need to, at least one time, shoot a sunrise at Mono Lake. Extraordinarily beautiful, almost spiritual in a way, when the sun's light brings the unique forms to life.

And so it was at Conah Pass in Ireland. A beautiful morning indeed. You photographers need to put this spot on your bucket list.

Fun Friday - Street Shooting

Sony NEX-7, 18-200mm, f/7.1, 1/200, iso 200

I think what I love about street shooting is how dynamic it is. Scenes come and go in seconds or less. Never to be repeated again. It is a time for fast thinking and fast shooting.

This scene fascinates me because it is so multi-layered. I was sitting in a restaurant in Dublin. I had looked out the window many times, but it was just kind of how you feel inside most city restaurants. "Oh yes, there is the street, and a bunch of cars and stuff."

And then I looked up and saw how this bus was positioned. I don't even remember putting down my fork, the next thing I knew I was waiting for the autofocus to beep and then I shot.

Beautiful Irish Light

Sony NEX-7, 18-200mm, f/6.3, 1/2000, iso 400

I was looking at an image on John Barclay's blog the other day. He had done such a beautiful job incorporating foreground elements into a grand landscape kind of shot. I haven't been thrilled with my "big vista" Ireland shots. It's lovely to stand there and take it all in, but as a photograph I don't find them that compelling.

So I thought I'd look through some of mine and pay more heed to foreground elements. I ended up liking this one quite a bit. I decided not to brighten up the foreground much, as it was naturally dark due to the location of the sun. But I think the lovely mist and flow of the mountains leads the eye through the image. A nice set of contours.