Bere Island, deceives and delights in equal measure. As you take the ferry over, the island looks fairly benign and featureless. However as you cross over to it’s southern shore, it’s wild and rugged coastline of cliffs and little coves is revealed with amazing remote and isolated walks.
Bere Island, deceives and delights in equal measure. As you take the ferry over, the island looks fairly benign and featureless. However as you cross over to it’s southern shore, it’s wild and rugged coastline of cliffs and little coves is revealed with amazing remote and isolated walks.
The Black Valley is a magical place and Lough Gummeenduff at the end of the valley is one of the most spectacularly situated lakes in Ireland. In summer time the light streams into the valley at sunrise from the north east and on a very still morning such as this, with the lingering mist it's a wonderful sight. I choose a panoramic format for this image to capture the drama of both sides of the valley and include as much of that lovely soft light in the sky as possible. A beautiful still scene with a hint of drama from a magical place.
The Black Valley is a magical place and Lough Gummeenduff at the end of the valley is one of the most spectacularly situated lakes in Ireland. In summer time the light streams into the valley at sunrise from the north east and on a very still morning such as this, with the lingering mist it's a wonderful sight. I choose a panoramic format for this image to capture the drama of both sides of the valley and include as much of that lovely soft light in the sky as possible. A beautiful still scene with a hint of drama from a magical place.
The Black Valley in Kerry is a place of great drama and extremes. Flanked by the highest mountains in Ireland, the McGillycuddy's Reeks, good light is a challenge in here any time of the year. Sometimes it's best when there's no light at all. On mornings where the fog lingers, the trees and winter colours can make for lovely compositions and something very different that what you normally see on other visits. Here , this line of trees is isolated perfectly from the chaotic drama of the craggy mountains rising behind them with the winter colour of the grass , softening the scene nicely.
The Black Valley in Kerry is a place of great drama and extremes. Flanked by the highest mountains in Ireland, the McGillycuddy's Reeks, good light is a challenge in here any time of the year. Sometimes it's best when there's no light at all. On mornings where the fog lingers, the trees and winter colours can make for lovely compositions and something very different that what you normally see on other visits. Here , this line of trees is isolated perfectly from the chaotic drama of the craggy mountains rising behind them with the winter colour of the grass , softening the scene nicely.
When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.
When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.
The Bricín Bridge is one of those iconic Killarney Locations, but is very difficult to photograph unless you are on a boat. I choose the shore opposite and combined the lovely reeds and a long exposure for a beautifully moody scene.
The Bricín Bridge is one of those iconic Killarney Locations, but is very difficult to photograph unless you are on a boat. I choose the shore opposite and combined the lovely reeds and a long exposure for a beautifully moody scene.
One of my main goals for the PARKLIGHT book project was to find new views to familiar scenes, and you don't get much more familiar than Ladies View. Although the viewing point is justifiably hugely popular, I've never really found that it provided me with an interesting enough composition. So I began to explore the area around there and managed to find a more northerly and higher vantage point in through the woods above Looscaunagh Lake.
It's quite a job to get through the dense and eerily dark woodland but breaking out to this view is always hugely rewarding.
One of my main goals for the PARKLIGHT book project was to find new views to familiar scenes, and you don't get much more familiar than Ladies View. Although the viewing point is justifiably hugely popular, I've never really found that it provided me with an interesting enough composition. So I began to explore the area around there and managed to find a more northerly and higher vantage point in through the woods above Looscaunagh Lake.
It's quite a job to get through the dense and eerily dark woodland but breaking out to this view is always hugely rewarding.
Cromwell's Bridge
The remains of this bridge built c 1700 sits on the Finnihy River in Kenmare town. Despite the name it has nothing to do with Cromwell, and surely looked a lot different when it was actually in use as I can't imagine either man or animal and cart being able to cross this easily!
Cromwell's Bridge
The remains of this bridge built c 1700 sits on the Finnihy River in Kenmare town. Despite the name it has nothing to do with Cromwell, and surely looked a lot different when it was actually in use as I can't imagine either man or animal and cart being able to cross this easily!
The appropriately named Danger Beach at Derrynane is a beautiful spot but the strong currents here are notorious. For me it's rocks at low tide make for interesting compositions in an otherwise difficult location to portray in an image. Here the green algae covered rock acts as the perfect focal point along with the little tidal pool it sits in. The composition of the rocks frames the distant Lamb's Head nicely and it's all set off with a typically dramatic winter sky in West Kerry.
The appropriately named Danger Beach at Derrynane is a beautiful spot but the strong currents here are notorious. For me it's rocks at low tide make for interesting compositions in an otherwise difficult location to portray in an image. Here the green algae covered rock acts as the perfect focal point along with the little tidal pool it sits in. The composition of the rocks frames the distant Lamb's Head nicely and it's all set off with a typically dramatic winter sky in West Kerry.
Derrynane Beach is wonderful to visit anytime of the year, but coming here in winter with the early morning low light, tide out and no one around makes for a very special day 'working' ! This image is all about that wonderful texture in the sand and the soft light and of course that very cooperative cloud that sits perfectly in the composition.
Derrynane Beach is wonderful to visit anytime of the year, but coming here in winter with the early morning low light, tide out and no one around makes for a very special day 'working' ! This image is all about that wonderful texture in the sand and the soft light and of course that very cooperative cloud that sits perfectly in the composition.
I’m lucky enough to live only a few minutes away from this magical spot with great access to the coast and view of the Dunkerron Islands. Still mornings are a joy to be out and about here and with this full moon setting right over the bay it made for the perfect image.
I’m lucky enough to live only a few minutes away from this magical spot with great access to the coast and view of the Dunkerron Islands. Still mornings are a joy to be out and about here and with this full moon setting right over the bay it made for the perfect image.
I’m lucky enough to live only a few minutes away from this magical spot with great access to the coast and view of the Dunkerron Islands. Still mornings are a joy to be out and about here
I’m lucky enough to live only a few minutes away from this magical spot with great access to the coast and view of the Dunkerron Islands. Still mornings are a joy to be out and about here
This image needed a lot of things to go right for it to succeed. A sustained dry period so that the lake level would drop, to allow me to stand in my position, was by no means a guarantee in an Irish summer ! A good clear sunrise and calm conditions all combined and made it a perfect morning to capture this majestic place.
This image needed a lot of things to go right for it to succeed. A sustained dry period so that the lake level would drop, to allow me to stand in my position, was by no means a guarantee in an Irish summer ! A good clear sunrise and calm conditions all combined and made it a perfect morning to capture this majestic place.
An iconic tourist destination and a wonderful place to visit any time of the year. I photographed this scene in winter, during a break in a cycle of storms on a rare still morning which afforded me the perfect reflections in the water to make this composition work perfectly. In winter time the grasses die off and lighten in colour, giving a more interest contrast against the dark rock.
An iconic tourist destination and a wonderful place to visit any time of the year. I photographed this scene in winter, during a break in a cycle of storms on a rare still morning which afforded me the perfect reflections in the water to make this composition work perfectly. In winter time the grasses die off and lighten in colour, giving a more interest contrast against the dark rock.
A wonderful Autumnal scene of this little river flowing through Glengarrif Nature reserve just outside the village. The colours and textures of this image really compliment each other in perfect overcast light and a gentle flow to the river.
A wonderful Autumnal scene of this little river flowing through Glengarrif Nature reserve just outside the village. The colours and textures of this image really compliment each other in perfect overcast light and a gentle flow to the river.
This iconic location on the Beara Peninsula was one of the first places I visited with my camera many years ago when just starting out on my photographic journey. The waterfall is nestled at the very end of a dramatic valley with lakes, forests and megalithic sits to distract you on the way in to it. Filled from the lake above the flow reacts instantly to rainfall, so to see it at it's best you need to be there soon after a heavy rainfall as I did this day.
This iconic location on the Beara Peninsula was one of the first places I visited with my camera many years ago when just starting out on my photographic journey. The waterfall is nestled at the very end of a dramatic valley with lakes, forests and megalithic sits to distract you on the way in to it. Filled from the lake above the flow reacts instantly to rainfall, so to see it at it's best you need to be there soon after a heavy rainfall as I did this day.