Beara Peninsula

Carol Freshley October 13, 2015

Daragh promised us a very full day Saturday. It is not that the first two days were not plenty full. He thought we had the basics nailed and were ready for some 'guerrilla' shooting. To Daragh, that means lots of great opportunities to compose quickly, get camera settings nailed, capture epic shots and get back in the van. Sure!

This was our first stop.  This is the stone circle at Uragh.  Compositionally the challenge was to get the distant waterfall positioned in an artful way, get all the stones in focus and miss the lake below (considered a distractiton). &nbs… — This was our first stop. This is the stone circle at Uragh. Compositionally the challenge was to get the distant waterfall positioned in an artful way, get all the stones in focus and miss the lake below (considered a distractiton). Plus, of course, the right exposure with no clipping.

You can decide if the lake is a distraction.  The other feature was the path leading to the stones, which I spent some time trying to get just right. — You can decide if the lake is a distraction. The other feature was the path leading to the stones, which I spent some time trying to get just right.

When we turned around and headed back to our van, this lovely scene was right below us.

This was just down the road a tad.  Compositionally, how to take advantage of the old boat house, its lovely roof patina, the rock pier and reeds off to the left. — This was just down the road a tad. Compositionally, how to take advantage of the old boat house, its lovely roof patina, the rock pier and reeds off to the left.

That is Ken!  Nice feature addition. — That is Ken! Nice feature addition.

And a bit further down the road was another opportunity.

Very high dynamic range in this one.  Blinkies controlled in camera!  YEAH. — Very high dynamic range in this one. Blinkies controlled in camera! YEAH.

Shooting in the jungle.  I am sure there is some tune with those words! — Shooting in the jungle. I am sure there is some tune with those words!

Working the shot opportunities . . . a distant bridge

Staying the course.  On to the next stop. — Staying the course. On to the next stop.

Two colors to tell a story.  Actually, this was my toughest shot so far and I left this site without the photo I wanted.  Only time it has happened.  Equipment challenges. — Two colors to tell a story. Actually, this was my toughest shot so far and I left this site without the photo I wanted. Only time it has happened. Equipment challenges.

This is referred to as the 'bowl'.  Opportunities here boggle the mind!  Position is everything, lens choice, lighting, shutter speed . . .  This was our sunset site.  We were hopeful for color, something that had been missing at… — This is referred to as the 'bowl'. Opportunities here boggle the mind! Position is everything, lens choice, lighting, shutter speed . . . This was our sunset site. We were hopeful for color, something that had been missing at our sunsets.

It was getting interesting.  This is a long shutter speed of course.  But the quality of the misty look depends on where in the wave sequence you shoot.  How much foam do you want to get the effect you are looking for? — It was getting interesting. This is a long shutter speed of course. But the quality of the misty look depends on where in the wave sequence you shoot. How much foam do you want to get the effect you are looking for?

Wave out.  Empty bowl. — Wave out. Empty bowl.

Wave in!!  Sometimes even higher, overwhelming the rock! — Wave in!! Sometimes even higher, overwhelming the rock!

It was a long trip back to Killarney and we were ready for bed. We stopped at a lovely pub on the way. Daragh was still going strong, still driving artfully on the wrong side of narrow roads, and giving and getting feedback on our day. We are glad you are still with us on this trip and hope that you are enjoying it through our photographs.

So, Where Are We?

Carol Freshley October 12, 2015

Well, in Ireland, for sure. This is a frequent question of mine for Daragh. The first several days were so overcast that I had trouble finding a sun to guide me. Plus, off the beaten path and all the nooks and crannies that we were exploring sometimes had me turned 'round! These images were shot in an area that Daragh calls Black Valley. I could not find it on the map. It is within reasonable driving distance of Kallarney.

Off the road, a short distance, a creek.  Just what Daragh had in mind to discuss reflections.  In this case, I was using a strong 10 stop ND filter to cut the water's movement. — Off the road, a short distance, a creek. Just what Daragh had in mind to discuss reflections. In this case, I was using a strong 10 stop ND filter to cut the water's movement.

Fortunately it was dark enough to get some still water with a fisheye (does not handle filters well.  The trade off was a much broader view that got in the ferns. — Fortunately it was dark enough to get some still water with a fisheye (does not handle filters well. The trade off was a much broader view that got in the ferns.

This is peat.  It is dug up and dried to be used as fuel. — This is peat. It is dug up and dried to be used as fuel.

This is 'bog'.  I have a real understanding now of the term, 'don't get bogged down'!  I have fallen on this uneven terrain more times than I care to admit.  One has to see where one is stepping, or even that there is water in the sha… — This is 'bog'. I have a real understanding now of the term, 'don't get bogged down'! I have fallen on this uneven terrain more times than I care to admit. One has to see where one is stepping, or even that there is water in the shallows between the grass clumps. Soaking wet boots is the outcome, right along with a wet 'bun' and or knees. So far, no serious damage to body, or most importantly, camera gear. I have provided the group a good amount of giggles once they realize I am going to be OK.

Roadside flowers.  Very common everywhere. — Roadside flowers. Very common everywhere.

Look carefully, you can see the line.  He is fly-fishing and catching. — Look carefully, you can see the line. He is fly-fishing and catching.

By the end of the second day we both felt like we were better prepared for some more serious shooting. Daragh had it all planned. His patient, but persistent, instruction had gone far in making us slower and more attentive photographers. Everyone was starting to use manual exposure control, paying attention to focus and avoiding the dreaded 'blinkies'. All that is good because the next several days promise to be full of more challenging photo opportunities.

Torc Waterfall

Carol Freshley October 11, 2015

"Just up the road, on the way to our sunset shot . . . . " said Daragh. It was one of several shots just up the road. Torc Waterfall is an easy hike and reminded me of the Columbia River Valley waterfalls.

Another short stop just up the road on the way.  Nobody was home! — Another short stop just up the road on the way. Nobody was home!

This photo trip is not the norm. No Ring of Kerry, stopping at the same stop other hundreds of tourist stop at. Nope, not this one. Daragh takes us on single lane, curvy, bumpy dirt roads to places that are not only full of photo opportunities but are designed to take our photography up a notch or two. Maybe even a dozen notches are in my future!! We are having way more fun than you could possibly imagine.