Day 365

I've been wanting to get a shot of sand dunes for a long time, so when I arrived in Brittas Bay today I was delighted to see that it was nothing but dunes as far as the eye can see. It's an image I've wanted to catch for a while, so it seems an appropriate way to round out this project.

Day 361

Another unscheduled day off today, so I took advantage of the beautiful weather and drove down to Wicklow to see the lighthouse. It was built in 1781 and it's no longer a functioning lighthouse: in fact it's available to rent for holidaymakers, and you have to ignore a lot of "private property" signs to reach it, but it is spectacular.

Day 352

I passed a scrapyard this evening, and although it was closed I did manage to get this shot before the hounds could be released. I took it in colour, but it really works better in monochrome, as there wasn't really any colour in it, and the flat light didn't help.

Day 326

Well, the temptation to wait and take my photo on the way home was great, but thankfully I found a window and found a window whilst it wasn't raining, which is just as well given how the weather turned later!

Day 324

I took this photo this morning with a view to making it a heavily post-produced image. It's an old gatelodge in Cabinteely, and it really has seen better days. I used an infrared black & white setting, then a white vignette to give it the feel of a period image. I'm pretty pleased with this, mainly because I figured out the gradient tool without resorting to the Help.

Day 323

Rain, sun, rain, sun, rain and sun, sun, more rain: it's been a frustrating day as far as weather was concerned. Luckily my free half hour coincided with some sunshine, so I was able to visit the boatyard in Dun Laoghaire.

Day 310

Just flew in from London, and boy are my arms tired. Seriously though.............

I finished work reasonably early today, so I took a trip out to Brompton cemetery. My interest in cemeteries is pretty well documented by now, and this one had everything on my list: crypts, angels, catacombs, the lot! I knew straight away that it would be a monochrome image: I was in a very Bob Carlos Clark frame of mind. This is my favorite image from the day, but it was a tough call. I should have more days like today!

Day 305

I was a bit disappointed with my results today: I thought I'd nailed a couple of shots, but when I looked at them critically they weren't really at the races. I was pleased with this one though. I used a 4ND filter to allow a slower shutter speed in order to smooth out the water. I decided to change it to monochrome as I felt it worked better: the colour version still felt a little banal.

Day 296

A very flat cloudy day, but at least it wasn't raining. I was here last week, but my shots with the tower didn't pan out. Today the tide was a bit further out, so I was able to get a better vantage point.

Day 264

Unexpected day off at home, so I went as far as Enniskerry graveyard. I'd been there before, and I'd photographed this angel before, but I couldn't resist her, and with my new longer lens I got a very different shot of her.

Day 247

Working in Dun Laoghaire again today, and I took the opportunity to take a walk down to the marina. I'm amazed now at how I ever survived without a polarising filter: the difference it makes on a sunny day is incredible.

Day 217

We drove down to Powerscourt today: seemed a better way to spend the day that sitting on the couch watching tv.

Day 166

Another view of the Grand Canal today, only this time it's an early morning shot. In an attempt to differentiate it from Saturday's shot I turne din monochrome, with just the taste of a warm tint.

Day 159

With the days getting shorter, the opportunities to take photos get fewer. Thankfully there's always the National Gallery, with its fine selection of statues.

Day 111

From one extreme of hotel to the other. It's only 36 hours since I left Sardinia and already it seems like a lifetime. People that don't work away from home have a notion that there is a glamour to hotel-living, but they are wrong, certainly in my experience. Another work night away, another interchangeable image of a hotel room.

Day 100

There's a long list of reasons for today to be consigned to the dustbin of history: weather, work, traffic, weather again. Sometimes you just have to envy a cat; especially one whose only stress is some eejit trying to take her photograph

Day 98

I drove home today via Kilkenny today. I love driving through Kilkenny: there are castles and towers littered throughout the county. This tower looks 15th century, but it's just there, in a field of cows, protected only by a thin electrified wire. I did a bit of work on the image in post, but only what I'd intended when I took it.

Day 96

I'm almost finished my current rotation in Dingle, so today was my penultimate drive down an unexplored road. This one lead up a steep hill through a farmed forest to a locked gate. Just as I was starting to regret my choice the sun came out from behind a cloud, and the telegraph poles turned white. As soon as I saw it happen I knew that this would be a monochrome picture; sort of Ansel Adams, only more provincial.

Day 90

For weeks I've been passing the suggestion of a castle just outside Limerick: the sight of a turret among the trees, and an overgrown road. Today I finally stopped and walked down to it, and it is without doubt the creepiest place I've ever been. There wasn't a good shot of the castle to be had, but these abandoned cars sort of summed up the atmosphere of the whole place: the overwhelming feeling that someone is watching you............

Day 89

Sunny day today, and an early finish to work, and so I drove down a new road, and straight away found this dilapidated shed. I love the character in these ruins: the broken window frame, the random rusty iron bits.