The January 15 edition on the online photography mag - Landscape Photography magazine published an article Behind the scene" and features images from County Mayo and Connemara County Galway. The magazine is subscription based, but its well worth checking out.
One of the problems with supplying image for stock is that you never really know where the image ends up getting used. So its always a suprise when you come across your images when flicking through books or magazines.
The seascape to the right (no 1) was taken in Clogherhead Co Louth and was used in the 2014 Lonely Planet Ireland guide.
Tramore, Co Donegal
Early October 2014 saw me back in my home from home "Donegal" leading the second of my photo landscape photography workshops. Mother nature put on a spectacular display of beauty, some of the images from the tour can be viewed on Storehouse.co at the following URL Donegal Autumnal Photo Tour. Well worth checking out.
Increasingly it seems I take more and more images with an iPhone. The freedom it gives to sketch / experiment at a location is perhaps why I find myself leaving the DSLR in the camera bag and enjoying the creative freedom these small camera phones bring.
Granted, they have a long way to go in terms of resolution, which falls apart the moment you zoom. But it has me wondering, will the day come when I can leave the DSLR permanently in the camera bag, and rely solely on a smartphone?
iPhone Panoramic; Loughcrew Rainbow
Loughcrew Cairns - Co Meath
There are some locations I associate with sunrise more than sunset, and this evenings location, The Cairns at Loughcrew, or Sliabh na Cailli (Hills of the Witch) in Gaelic, in Co Meath is definitely one of them.
On top of Loughcrew, the wind is warm but strong enough to cause camera shake, especially with a 70-200mm lens in place. To overcome those concerns, the shutter speed is increased by bumping up the ISO, and as ever the camera is tripod mounted.
Below, evening light rakes the landscape, and as I peer through the viewfinder the challenge is a composition that excludes the foreground clutter and the dwelling of to the right.
Waiting to trip the shutter, part of me is torn. Shouldn't I really be photographing the 3500yr old passage tomb that aligns with the Spring and Autumnal equinox that this location is famous for?
County Meath, Ireland
With the sun sinking, and the shadows creeping across the landscape, the shutter is tripped. A quick check of the histogram and everything looks good. No blocked shadows, no blown highlights, and no foreground clutter.
Now back to the Cairn, to see if I can get a picture of what I really came here for!!.
Anyone who has ever heard me talk or rant, knows I have somewhat of a love hate relationship with the Lee Big Stopper. Its purpose, to drastically reduce the amount of light hitting the camera's sensor (by up to 10 stops), is something that camera manufacturers could implement as a "feature" on modern SLRs. Until they do, Lee are filling that gap with a piece of glass that transforms day into night.
Using the filter is tricky, but what is undeniable is its ability to transform something into nothing. Seconds become minutes, and minutes become hours. Leaving the user with a set of moody ghostly images.
( L) 1/3sec @F11, (R) 121 sec @ (F8)
Above, this image taken at the base of Howth Head in County Dublin shows were I am coming from. Taken at practically the same location, the rather dull image on the left taken at 1/3rd of a sec @F11 is transformed by the use of the "Big Stopper". A third of a second becomes two minutes, and that rather dull snapshot morphs into something a little more interesting.
The example, below shows its capability again.
Here perched on the edge of the rocky Inis Oirr coastline, seconds become minutes and a rather dull image is transformed into something a little more.
(L) 1/30th @F11 (R) 15sec @ F11
If you are thinking of buying one, or its new cousin The "little stopper" then have a look at the exposure card from Lee below. Be prepared for lots of standing around waiting. Not for the light but the camera this time :)
Lee Big Stopper Exposure Guide
Ireland's leading photographic society (Dublin Camera Club) have organized a one day series of talks titled "A day in the Irish Landscape" featuring myself (Peter McCabe) and a number of other Irish landscape photographers including Carsten Kreiger, Simon Stewart & Norman McCloskey.
The event takes place on Saturday March 29th and kicks off at 10a.m. Full details, and booking information can be found at the following url - Dublin Camera Club - "A day in the Irish Landscape"
Five images from 2013
2013 has been somewhat of a strange photographic year for me. As ever not enough time was spent In the Field, too many images were taken with my iPhone and my photographic to do list seems to get bigger instead of smaller.
The images below are a selection of my own personal favourites that I captured along the Southwest, West and Northwest coasts of Ireland.
Mulranny County Mayo:
Standing in darkness, storm clouds raced across Clew bay, the heavens opened as the moon hung low in the sky above Croagh Patrick. The conditions where hair tingling wild.
The resulting image is one of my all-time favourite seascapes.
Mulranny Light Co.Mayo ©P McCabe
Clew Bay Surf
The second image titled "Freedom", was also taken in County Mayo and features a surfer riding a wave. I love the energy and interaction between man and nature in the image.
Freedom, Clew Bay. © P McCabe
Derrynane strand, County Kerry
Situated on the Iveragh Peninsula County Kerry, the beach at Derrynane is amongst the most beautiful beaches in Ireland. During May of this year with low magical morning light raking the coastline I captured an image I was happy to put my name too.
Derrynane Strand, Co Kerry. © P McCabe
County Donegal
As Ireland basked in the warmest summer in years I spent a week in my home from home, County Donegal. Warm days and cool mornings meant morning mist. On one such morning I captured this view which looks back across Lough Greenan to Crockmore mountain. The movement of the morning mist has created a ghostly, yet peaceful Irish landscape.
Crockmore, Donegal. © P McCabe
Inis Óirr
This image was taken on the Island of Inis Óirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. The location is one I first came across 10 years ago, and it was only this September that I got back to photograph the location. The view looks back towards the still functional lighthouse as wave’s crash on the Islands shoreline.
Inis Óirr Lighthouse, © P McCabe
That's it for 2013, time to tackle that to do list.
Doo Lough, Ireland
As ever, I’m standing by a tripod watching the first light of day creep down the steep sides of Mweeelrea. Through the viewfinder four rocks peek out from the frigid waters of Doo Lough mirroring the distant hills.
Tripping the shutter I can't help think of a well-known photographer who recently proclaimed that Doo Lough in County Mayo is not a morning location. As the drama unfolds I can't help but disagree. The location and light are simply stunning. Controlling the exposure is a pain in the butt. To ensure, I have no blown highlights or blocked up shadows, I am bracketing my exposures. A quick glance at the histogram tells me I’m fine, and before the clock strikes 7.30am, I’m back home, dreaming of an Irish fry.
Later that evening, I am running late, chasing the light, a situation not helped by the posse of sheep being shepherded down the country road I am travelling on. Still, I’d trade this any day for the traffic chaos of Dublin.
A little later I'm peering down a Canon 70-200mm lens at backlit waves breaking on against a backdrop of a silhouetted Inishturk and Cahir Island. The location? Carrowninsky strand, a beautiful beach in County Mayo.
The shot I am chasing is one which sees waves breaking in the centre of the frame, with the Islands forming a distant backdrop. With waves breaking everywhere but centre that was easier said than done. Many frames and a soaking later, one wave finally hangs in the centre of the frame. Getting low to juxtapose the wave and the Islands and with an exposure of F8 @ 100th of a second set the shutter is tripped, and I get get my shot. The deep blue tone of the wave contrasts nicely with the pink hues of the sky. The light just clipping the spray at the top of the wave is then the icing on the cake.
Carrowniskey Strand Co.Mayo
Later that evening, and perhaps somewhat unbelievably I meet an elderly local out to watch the sunset. After a bout of small talk, and as the Irish often do, a game of “Do you know this person” breaks out. Minutes later I am talking on a strangers phone to a man 200miles away and who I last met 20 years ago. A nice ending to a memorable evening.
It's not well known, But sometimes I leave the beauty and sanctum of the Irish Landscape and step into the fun and chaos of Irish wedding photography.
Recently I moved my wedding site to Squarespace the fruits of which can be seen at the following link http://petermccabephotographer.ie/ .
Let me know what you think.
Homeland - © P.McCabe
Wrapping up my photo trip to the Aran Islands is an image that I title “Homeland”. Taken as evening set in. The view looks back across the rocky Inis Oirr shoreline towards the beautiful County Clare coastline and the Cliffs of Moher.
A combination of overcast evening light and a long exposure has created a moody photograph of the Irish coastline. In this instance exposure times where increased by the use of a Lee Big Stopper on a Canon 17-40F4L lens.
Marble Arch, Horn Head
Capture and Discover Donegal and get lost in the wild beauty of one of Ireland's best landscape photography locations.
During these workshops we will visit truly stunning locations, perfect for enhancing you landscape photography skills and portfolio, while staying wonderful in quality hotel accommodation.
For further information see the following link.
Inis Oirr, Lighthouse
The Island is buzzing, tri-colors are flying, a TV crew has been spotted, and clinking champagne glasses can be heard in the pub. Sadly it isn't all for me!! The Irish president, Michael D is in town.
Despite the temptation of clinking glasses, I am off up a hill and down the winding dry stone lined roads to explore the Inis Oirr coastline.
The smallest of the Aran Islands it is probably the most beautiful. I was last here 9 years ago. It's coastline, and images I never managed to capture have haunted me over the years.
This evening, with the wind blowing across it's exposed rocky landscape, I am hoping to make amends.
Sheltered by a bluff, with the ocean trying its best to soak me I'm playing with my latest gadget, a cable release of sorts from Triggertrap. Like everything these days it's controlled by an APP, that allows the user to trigger the shutter by various means including sound and distance on their smartphone. In my case I'm using it to count down a 2minute exposure. Results to date have been pleasing, it's replaced the somewhat expensive canon invervalometer that I normally carry around.
Evening comes quickly, the walk back to the village is slowed by my foraging of the swollen blackberries that shelter among the dry stone walls. Near the village, the magnetic sound of traditional Irish music spills out the door of Tigh Rúairí's bar.
Inside, the soothing harmonies of the Murphy sisters from Mayo fill the bar. Families sing along as young lovers get lost in their own world. Moments later a joyous fiddle fills the bar as young girl dances a jig around a broom. A late night of song and dance has begun.
The following morning, with a slightly sore head ( yep, it was a late one) I'm peering through the viewfinder at the rusted hulk of the Plassy, a cargo ship that was ship wrecked here in the 1960s. The shore line and the surrounding fields are criss crossed with furrowed limestone that is reminiscent of the Burren. As the first rays of sun illuminate the ship, the moon dips behind the distant stone walls and I trip the shutter. Am I happy with the final image? I'm not too sure.
The Plassy, Inis Oirr
Somewhat of a tourist attraction, I wonder if the Plassy will survive many more wild Atlantic seas. It has deteriorated rapidly since my last visit and I wonder if it will be on my next visit . I can understand why the islanders are on the look out for a replacement :)
For the past week I have photographed the wild beauty of the Beara peninsula in West Cork. It's Ireland, so as usual the weather has been a mixed bag! Amazing light for the first few days, and now on my last night, stomping across the rain-sodden bog, the weather is as it has been for the last few days, crap!! ( sorry for the language )
In hope, I am peering through a 5D Mk11 & a 70-200 F4 lens into the murk, hoping, trying to craft an image from the scene before me.
On the far side of the bay, patches of light momentarily appear across the distant Iveragh peninsula, only to be smothered by an encroaching blanket of darkness from the South West.
As another downpour power piles in, I can't help but feel, that these type of conditions tell the story of this part of Ireland, better than any of the "pretty" blue sky images I took earlier in the week. .
The monochromatic look, brings me back to my days of shooting Fuji Neopan, and the long nights standing under an enlarger, burning and dodging prints.
Pre-visualising those burns and dodges, the shutter is tripped.
Southern Storm, Co.Kerry
It is 10 mins before 4am, and for the second morning in a row I am slipping out of a cottage, into the mist. A short while later, high above Lough Greenan I’m walking back and forth up across the mountain bog, chasing compositions that so far remain unseen.
A little after 4.30am, as the Donegal landscape wakens below, the first frames are exposed. In my heart of hearts I know the image doesn't work. My initial reaction is to shoot a panoramic, but grand vistas can be difficult to pull off, in this instance there is too much going on, as is so often the case in landscape photography, less is more. So instead of chasing pictures I compose and wait.
Shortly before 5a.m, a ghostly mist, eerily floats in beneath a distant Crockmore, weaving its fingers across the landscape. Eight seconds @ F11 later, and with the midges tasting breakfast, an abstract moment of reality appears on the LCD. I'm happy; it is great to exposing pixels at this time of the morning again!!
Donegal, a photographer’s paradise! - Keep an eye out for details of my 2014 Donegal workshop which will appear online soon. Or sign up for my mailing list to receive details direct to your inbox.
Many a trail, beach and hilltop has been explored, yet despite the beauty of the Iveragh peninsula in south-west Ireland I am yet to make an exposure. If the truth be told, panic is starting to set in.
Midge bitten and stubborn as ever, I am standing by a tripod as the last light of day creeps across the Peninsula. Above, the moon shines, and as the camera timer counts down 30 seconds, that mild panic slowly fades away, I finally have an image in the bag!.
Last Light, Iveragh Peninsula, Co Kerry Ireland
The following morning, a little after 4a.m the boisterous sound of the dawn chorus stirs me. A short time later I am slipping off some rocks and prancing along the shoreline at Derrynane beach near Caherdaniel.
Surrounded by the Farraniaragh & Cahernageeha mountains, it is amongst the most photogenic beaches in Ireland.
After much prancing, I am peering through the viewfinder watching the cool Atlantic weave along the rippled shoreline. Tripping the shutter, I succumb to temptation, and add a Lee big stopper to the front of the lens. It is a filter I have a love hate relationship with. I find it fiddly, why oh why camera manufacturers never build neutral density capabilities into the cameras firmware I will never know. One frame later, the big stopper is off and replaced by a soft 0.3 Lee GND. The two resulting images are below! I'm not sure which one I prefer.
Derrynane beach
Further and higher along the shoreline, and against the magnificent backdrop of Derrynane Bay, I've got a tripod spread eagled on the rocks. Instead of concentrating on hyperfocal distance and composition, I'm shooting video on an iPhone. Like Windows 95, I don't do multitasking very well, so it is goodbye iPhone and hello live view.
The light is wonderful, my biggest question, which composition works best? Vertical to emphasize the Sea thrift or horizontally to show the beauty of the bay. Pixels are cheap, and as the sun paints the flowers I shoot a vertical composition. Something doesn't quite feel right.
Switching back to the horizontal composition, the shutter is tripped again. Yep! the horizontal composition works better. The cracks in the rock mirror the patterns in the sand, while the head of sea thrift stands out against the tide, while the water coming in from the left of the scene is just enough to emphasis the sweeping shoreline.
Derrynane Bay, County Kerry, Ireland
That mild panic is well and truly gone!.
My 2014 Irish landscape calendar is off to print shortly. If you are a retail owner and are interested in stocking the calendar, then feel free to contact me.
Corporate business owners looking to provide a quality gift can contact me directly at info@photoimagery.net with any customisation requirements.
2014 Irish Landscape Calendars
Last week while in County Kerry, I made this small recording of the dawn chorus at 4.30 a.m while on my way to some remote beach. The recording was made on an iPhone, so forgive the quality.
I think you will agree that the sounds are calming
To quote Chase Jarvis - "the best camera is the best one you have with you". This evening as I stand on the banks of the River Boyne, watching some of the tall ships sail in that camera is an iPhone. I am slightly envious of the many people standing around with tripods and big glass.
However the photographer in me is never far away, and as the waves wash in, and with a one year old on my knee the iPhone comes out to snap the shot below.
Tall Ship on the River Boyne
Via torch light, I am descending the cliff face at Howth, Ireland. The descent down is made up of the occasional bum slide and a set of breeze blocks that stick out of the mud. Behind me, my good friend and accomplice is turning back, beaten back by vertigo.
A few minutes later and I am on a small pebble beach, waiting for sunrise.
Standing, waiting, I can't help but think, that this is a location for a wild stormy day. However, on this calm morning, with sunrise 20 minutes away I am attempting to manipulate time. Not in an astro physicist way, but in the photographers way.
In an age of ever increasing high ISOs, a big bug bear of mine is how manufacturers like Canon and Nikon bump up the low light capabilities of modern cameras, while ignoring the needs of photographers like me who want to slow things down.
Why can't I drop ISO's below 50 (L)? Even better, why can't I dial in a desired neutral density level thereby lengthening exposures at will? I guess these kind of ideas don't fly with the respective marketing depts. So instead I am playing with a Lee Big stopper, a filter I have a love hate relationship with.
The Big stopper allows you to reduce the amount of light entering your camera by 10 stops. It takes a little getting use to, when using it, it is essential to compose, pre focus and turn off auto focus before seating the filter. Once it is in position, everything goes black, and you are essentially shooting blind. Its effect on exposure are dramatic!!
In the images below, a 0.3 sec exposure is increased to just over two minutes.
Exp 0.3 seconds @ F11 0.9 Graduated ND
Exp, 2mins @ F8. Lee Big Stopper + 0.9 Graduated ND filter
You either love or hate the effect. In this instance, I think the Big Stopper has improved the image. What do you think?
Be warned - Due to a number of issues, The Lee Big Stopper can be difficult to get hold of. Many photographic retailers find it difficult to replace stock. If you are in Ireland, Mahers cameras in Drogheda, for what ever reason seem to be able to get stock easily. They are expensive, so expect to pay around €120 for one.
