CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-24 17:36:47 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 17 +1s)

~Freedom~
Aughnamoira Woods, County Down

D7000
Sigma 10-20 @ 10mm
B&W Polarizer
2 exposures blended

2013-05-22 10:11:43 (6 comments, 7 reshares, 28 +1s)

~Forest Of Bluebells~
Aughnamoira Woods, County Down

After seeing Gary McParland's shots of bluebells from this wood up in County Down I knew I had to get up and shot them. So yesterday after my last exam I headed up and after about 3 hours I found the woods. Not an easy place to finds that's for sure but I'm really happy with the images I came away with!

Enjoy everyone! :)

2013-05-17 18:40:15 (7 comments, 6 reshares, 38 +1s)

~The Eternal Horse~
County Cavan, Ireland

Enjoy everyone!

2013-05-16 22:05:41 (13 comments, 13 reshares, 51 +1s)

~Away from the Cascade~
County Leitrim, Ireland

Lets see what one of my vertical comps looks like on this new Google+ layout

2013-05-15 21:57:33 (9 comments, 6 reshares, 35 +1s)

~The Murder Window~
Castle Roche, County Louth, Ireland

Castle Roche is one of the most striking Anglo- Norman castles in Ireland and can be viewed for miles around. Located on a rocky hilltop, it commands wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Lady Rohesia de Verdun built the castle in 1236 ad. Legend has it that Lady Rohesia promised her hand in marriage to the architect if he completed the castle to her satisfaction. When he went to claim her hand, she had him thrown from one of the windows, which to this day is known as the 'murder window'.

ps sharing with this new google+ layout is hella confusing!!

2013-05-14 20:54:52 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

No better way to relieve exam stress then coming back to some nice prints arriving in the post, the light is wrecking them a bit here but ya get the idea. The one on the left is a canvas(12x16), the shot was taken not far from where I live and the one on the right was taken at the Dark Hedges in county Antrim (20x32).

2013-05-11 20:28:06 (18 comments, 10 reshares, 31 +1s)

~What Remains~
Roche Castle, County Louth

Should be studying right now but the call of anything photography related is always stronger so I processed another shot from my trip to Roche Castle, the strong evening sun casting a nice glow over the castle. 

Thanks everyone for looking 

2013-05-10 13:21:19 (20 comments, 4 reshares, 36 +1s)

~Roche Castle II~
County Louth, Ireland

Got some really nice colour as the sun got closer to the horizon up at the castle.

I had some time a few days ago so I checked out my Google plus page on the computers in the college and I the screens there are just dark and un-calibrated because most of my shots looked really dark with no details in the shadows which is not what I see, do my shots look alright to everyone, not to dark?  

2013-05-07 22:44:36 (6 comments, 6 reshares, 12 +1s)

~All Is Gold~
County Louth, Ireland

Another shot from yesterday. As the sun was setting a great glow fall across the landscape in the distance so I took out my some lens and grabbed this shot, not quite Palouse but I like it 

2013-05-06 22:52:58 (9 comments, 6 reshares, 38 +1s)

~Roche Castle~
County Louth, Ireland

Took my first trip up to Roche Castle and was lucky enough to get some great light.

Castle Roche is a Norman castle located some 10 km (7 miles) north-west of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It was the seat of the De Verdun family, who built the castle in 1236 AD.
It is built upon a large rocky outcrop and commands extensive views of the surrounding country. Together with a deep moat its strong walls rendered it virtually impregnable. A secret passage once connected the castle to a round tower outpost. St. Ronan's Well lies nearby.

2013-05-04 17:03:11 (10 comments, 17 reshares, 54 +1s)

~The Cliffs of Moher~
County Clare, Ireland

2013-05-02 09:46:56 (16 comments, 40 reshares, 44 +1s)

~Eye Of The Storm~

Can't wait to go back and shoot these falls this summer with my new wide angle lens and see what new compositions I can come up with :)

2013-04-30 20:47:28 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 25 +1s)

~Little Foot~

My nephews tiny little feet :)

2013-04-29 15:06:33 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Finaaly got around to updating the ol' website, sure ya can check out the latest shots if you have the time!

2013-04-26 17:08:14 (16 comments, 6 reshares, 29 +1s)

~The Wreck~
Baltray, County Louth

A few things I learn't from my trip out to the Baltray shipwreck yesterday:
1- I'm fairly unfit, that's always good to know.
2- Objects on beaches are always further away than they appear.
3- Always arrive to a location well in advance of the sunset because there is noting worse the trudging along the beach trying to get to you destination as the best light fades!!

Keep calm and carry on :)

2013-04-23 19:48:06 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 19 +1s)

~Forest Fresh~
Dun An Rí, County Cavan

Another shot from the weekend that I particularly like. I hope to go back soon with my new B&W polarizer for my wide angle which hadn't arrived by the time I went here, the shot can only get better with a polarizer right?? ;)

Keep smiling!!

2013-04-22 18:10:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

'Forest Flower' now up on 500px, check it out and follow me over there if you feel the urge ;)

2013-04-21 16:43:03 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 20 +1s)

~Forest Flower~
Dun An Rí, County Cavan

Well I got out to shoot some new stuff today, headed up to Dun An Rí forest park hoping to see some bluebells but found these nice anemone nemorosa (aka windflowers) instead. Some really nice light, actual sun if you can believe it, you would think it was spring or something :P Anyway I was very happy with the result in the end.

Hope you're all enjoying the weekend, keep smiling :)

2013-04-19 19:34:29 (7 comments, 5 reshares, 34 +1s)

~The Atmosphere~
County Meath, Ireland

Thesis is finished and handed in!!! booo yaa!! Hope to get out to shoot some new stuff this weekend but until then here is a panoramic I took last summer :)

2013-04-14 21:22:53 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

~Elephant Rock~
Antrim, Northern Ireland

I know what you're saying, its not a great shot and you'd be right but its about the story I tells ya! First off before planning your trip, work out in fine detail how to get to the location you want to shoot. I believed the only way to the place was from the far side of this beach, took me about 40mins to walk it. Pretty sure its the longest beach in the world!lol Got there a bit tired but ready to shoot, so I look around, set up take a couple of compositions ya know yourself. So after about an hour I head back off on the walk back, fairly happy, light wasn't great but sure time was of the essence and I couldn't wait around.

So after a few days I get home and start to process my shots and when I got to processing these sets of shots I realize I shot them all (except for the one above) at ISO 1000. I had forgotten to... more »

2013-04-10 22:59:46 (7 comments, 8 reshares, 21 +1s)

~Gateway To The Poisoned Glen~
Dunlewey, County Donegal

Best viewed large

The old church found in Dunlewey and the Poisoned Glen was built by Jane Smith Russell as a memorial to her husband James Russell landlord of the Dunlewey estate who died on the 2nd of September 1848. It lies in the shadow of Errigal, the highest peak in Donegal and is said to be haunted.

Nikon D7000
ISO 100
62mm
1/15s-f/11

2013-04-08 21:00:02 (7 comments, 9 reshares, 27 +1s)

~Fanad Lighthouse~
County Donegal, Ireland

Just testing out this web sharpening script from +Andreas Resch and really liking the results!! You can download it from here: http://www.andreasresch.at/2013/04/07/web-sharpener-better-sharpening-for-the-web/

2013-04-06 19:46:45 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Hello everyone! I just have a quick question, I'm hoping to head up to Tollymore forest sometime after the 19th, I'm just wondering have the bluebells made an appearance up there yet or has the cold delayed there arrival?

Thanks

2013-04-06 13:19:40 (5 comments, 5 reshares, 30 +1s)

~The Golden Age~
Hill of Slane, County Meath

Jaysus the sun is shinning, Motogp qualifying today, cup of tea in hand, life is good, life it golden, this must be the golden age ;)

Have a good weekend everyone!! 

2013-04-04 20:12:23 (15 comments, 7 reshares, 44 +1s)

~Evening Tranquility~
River Boyne, County Meath

This is a great little spot along the boyne river. The tree makes a nice feature in the middle of the river.

Photography Tip

If you don't have any filters for your lens and still want to get the smooth, wait to just after sunset, the reduced light will allow you to shoot a longer exposure creating the smooth water.

2013-04-03 08:46:38 (31 comments, 4 reshares, 34 +1s)

~The Boathouse II~

You know what I can't wait for? I'm waiting for the day when I can go out shooting wearing a t-shirt and not having to wrap up with four layers to keep warm! Sick of the cold!!! 
Carry on :)

2013-04-01 19:04:39 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Lee 105mm polarizing filter

so I'm thinking of picking us this filter in a few weeks, moving away from my cokin filter taking the step up if you will, mainly because of the purchase of a wide angle lens. Anyway my question is what are peoples experiences with this filter, in particular on the sigma 10-20mm. I know you're not supposed to use a polarizer on a wide angle lens but it should be alright in forest shots etc. right?
any info would help greatly, cheers :)

2013-03-31 16:25:48 (13 comments, 12 reshares, 38 +1s)

Happy Easter everyone!!!!

2013-03-29 17:04:33 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

~Forgotten Land II~
Errigal, Donegal

Errigal is a 751 metres (2,464 ft) mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains, the tallest peak in County Donegal.

Nikon D7000
Sigma 12-24 @12
ISO 100
1/80s
f/11

2013-03-28 12:57:48 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 25 +1s)

~The First~

The was one of the first shots I took when I got my DSLR, ah it was a good day indeed. 

Do yous remember the first time you took your first camera out?

2013-03-25 18:39:41 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 30 +1s)

~Caught In The Headlights~
The Dark Hedges, County Antrim

The only thing you got to watch out for along this roads is cars coming up, I really think photographers should get right of way here lol

2013-03-25 14:51:40 (11 comments, 2 reshares, 28 +1s)

~Lights And Shadows~
The Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Right so third time processing this shot, every time I process it I leave it a few days and still like it but a few months later I always think it could have been done better, maybe that's a sign I'm improving? Anyway I'm happy with this now..I think lol.

I remember after taking this shot I sat back for a moment just to take in the seen, what an awesome sight, watching this amazing sunset and hearing the waves crashing along the coast, so peaceful. I remember looking around seeing everyone doing the exact same thing. For all the stuff we make and build etc. none of it really ever comes close the the beauty of nature and it can take moments like this one, sitting there on the rocks, to realise it.

The Giant’s Causeway is an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basaltc... more »

2013-03-24 14:07:04 (6 comments, 4 reshares, 31 +1s)

~Heavens Gate~

Inspired by the work of +Lars van de Goor. I highly suggest you check out his work, it's amazing!

Hope you all are having a great weekend :)

Enjoy and share!

2013-03-21 18:07:14 (11 comments, 6 reshares, 44 +1s)

~Harmony~

This shot is from Dunsany forest. This shot has had a fair amount of processing done to it, more then I ever do, more then I usually have patience to do!haha But I had the day off so I decided to mix it up a bit, keep things fresh which is always good I think! 
Hope everyone is having a great day!! :)

2013-03-19 19:56:52 (5 comments, 3 reshares, 34 +1s)

~The Golden Hour~

I remember taking this shot vividly. I was running trying to reach the Giant's Causeway before this sunset dissipated but I took this shot just in case I didn't reach the rocks in time. The noise of the waves crashing against the rocks, the fresh air in my lungs, the incredible colour...it's moments like these why I wanted to capture these places and love landscape photography. It's almost like every time I shoot places like these it re-affirms that this world is a bloody awesome place to be!

Why do you visit places like these?

2013-03-18 12:54:03 (11 comments, 7 reshares, 36 +1s)

~Nature's Bliss~
Errigal, County Donegal

Errigal is a 751 metres (2,464 ft) mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains, the tallest peak in County Donegal, and the 76th tallest peak in Ireland.

Enjoy and Share :)

2013-03-16 19:03:43 (9 comments, 5 reshares, 26 +1s)

~Green Green Grass of Home~
County Meath, Ireland

I hear there is some sort of well known event tomorrow or something, anyone heard anything about this?? ;)

An advanced Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all, and remember that there are two types of people in the world
1. Those who are Irish
2. Those who want to be Irish

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

2013-03-14 18:34:23 (7 comments, 5 reshares, 23 +1s)

~Across The Water~
County Louth, Ireland

Looking across Carlingford Lough to the snow covered Mourne mountains

2013-03-12 09:54:17 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

~Forest Blur II~
Dun An Rí forest park, County Cavan

You are welcome to your intellectual pastimes and books and art and newspapers; welcome, too, to your bars and your whisky that only makes me ill. Here am I in the forest, quite content-Knut Hamsun 

2013-03-10 20:11:54 (10 comments, 4 reshares, 38 +1s)

~Transition~
Giant's Causeway

As you can probably  tell I'm looking back through the shots from Northern Ireland, there's always a few that slip through the net. I really liked the wave in the foreground of this image!

True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation-George Washington  

2013-03-09 16:02:11 (5 comments, 4 reshares, 25 +1s)

~Night Light~
County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Screw the rules, 50/50 composition all the way :D Well its gotta work sometime eh!
This is a single exposure taken with no filters processed in camera raw and photoshop CS6

2013-03-09 13:21:13 (7 comments, 7 reshares, 37 +1s)

~An Irish Cottage~


#IrelandCoverPhoto  

+Eileen O'Duffy It's the most 'Irishy' photo I could find in my collection haha

2013-03-09 11:33:31 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Thank you Charlie and Tom for this feature ! Check their blog site out , there are some awesome images there!

2013-03-08 21:21:49 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

~Ghosts That We Knew~
The Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

My first share here so be nice haha Hope everyone had a good week :)

2013-03-07 18:01:29 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

~Man V Wild~
Dun An Rí forest park, County Cavan

For this photo I used the Orton Effect, it works really well in softening foliage and giving a forest a softer appearance.

Hope everyone is having a good week :)  

2013-03-06 22:24:24 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 21 +1s)

~Hear The Roar~
Muckross Head, Donegal

Finally got round to organizing my photo albums on here, divided them up into each county the shot was taken in. Also really liking the new big cover photo :)

Big waves crashing along the coast at Muckross Head. Once or twice I nearly got washed out, it was crazy but a good buzz!

2013-03-05 22:10:02 (9 comments, 5 reshares, 37 +1s)

~Outstanding In Your Own Field~
Duleek, County Meath

Not exactly Palouse but sure close enough ;)
When the weather works with you it's a great feeling and the results usually show that! 

Photography Tips etc.

This shot had a lot to do with composition. I was nearly going to leave with shots of the whole sky and field and thought that a close up on the field would be cool, especially with the light on the field. I took the shoot first but it had no sense of scale to the size of the field so I asked my dad would he walk into the field into field to get this scale which really helps the shot I think. 

Enjoy and keep smiling :)

2013-03-03 12:38:28 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 26 +1s)

~Light up, Light up~
Skerries, County Dublin

Just purchased Tony Kuyper's luminosity mask actions for photoshop and this is the result of my first test with them..a lot to learn but I like'm :)

2013-03-01 15:01:10 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

What causes this banding??

Can you see the banding in the shot, its from a 7 shot pano stitch, but its also happened on some single exposures as well, even with barely processing done to them. Some images are fine and with some it get this, anyonw know what its all about??

2013-02-28 15:51:49 (20 comments, 8 reshares, 41 +1s)

~Ablaze~
Gweedore, Dunlewey, County Donegal

Another one from my trip to the north, I enjoyed most of this sunset from the comfort of my car because the midges up there will eat the face off ya in 5 minutes, never seen it so bad..

Enjoy your week everyone :)

#guaranteedirish