Glendalough's Upper Lake

Carol Freshley October 22, 2015

We were told it was a short hike from the Glendalough Hotel to the Upper Lake. It is, if you know the way! We got up very early with a goal of being at the lake's edge for blue hour and then sunrise. It was worth getting up early.

The sun was rising behind us.  We just kept hoping that the sun would break through the clouds for just long enough . . . I was fascinated that the mist that formed on the lake is seen better in its reflection!  We could see it rise from t… — The sun was rising behind us. We just kept hoping that the sun would break through the clouds for just long enough . . . I was fascinated that the mist that formed on the lake is seen better in its reflection! We could see it rise from the surface and be carried away with a gentle breeze towards the back of the lake. It was so quiet, serene, peaceful. It seemed that some other photographer had put these rocks at a most auspicious place.

The sun peeked through and lit up the tops of the mountains.  I was so excited I could barely breathe!  Of course, Tom and I are shooting the same scene, separated by just feet.  Yet, our images are a bit different and that can spark … — The sun peeked through and lit up the tops of the mountains. I was so excited I could barely breathe! Of course, Tom and I are shooting the same scene, separated by just feet. Yet, our images are a bit different and that can spark a good conversation! Is asymmetry a more creative composition? Or . . . name your point. We have a lot of fun with these sorts of questions!!

Then, the sun quickly disappeared behind the clouds again!

The water was very clear . . . and cold!

I did not see a trail marking for walking around the lake.  If I ever go back I am looking for one. — I did not see a trail marking for walking around the lake. If I ever go back I am looking for one.

Once we had our sunrise shot of the lake we looked around for other interesting items to photograph.

Once it got light enough to see, we realized we had hiked in very close to a large parking lot.  The trees were just fabulous!  Within one minute of taking this image, huge busses started arriving and in ten minutes there were hundreds of … — Once it got light enough to see, we realized we had hiked in very close to a large parking lot. The trees were just fabulous! Within one minute of taking this image, huge busses started arriving and in ten minutes there were hundreds of children disembarking, gleeful to be out on a field trip, with teachers trying to get some order to the chaos. Thankfully, we were ready to move on! The rest of the morning we could hear children shouting and having fun up and down the canyon.

Starting the hike back.  Just a few steps down the road we spotted a boardwalk that was closer to the creek between Upper and Lower Lake.  We opted to get off this road and avoid being run over by large buses.  Believe it or not, this… — Starting the hike back. Just a few steps down the road we spotted a boardwalk that was closer to the creek between Upper and Lower Lake. We opted to get off this road and avoid being run over by large buses. Believe it or not, this is a two lane road (sort of).

When I used to think of Irish 'green' I thought of it as a special color, some hue that is decidedly different than all the other greens.  Now that I have been to Ireland I have a different perspective.  Irish green refers to having everyt… — When I used to think of Irish 'green' I thought of it as a special color, some hue that is decidedly different than all the other greens. Now that I have been to Ireland I have a different perspective. Irish green refers to having everything green, everywhere, intense, unbelievable 'in your face' GREEN. It is a green that when you open your file, with no edits or changes you think to yourself, "Nobody is going to believe that this image is NOT cooked!"

Unless, of course, it is green going to yellow and orange in the fall!

As it turns out, the proper trail back to our hotel leads right through the monastery, the other site we wanted to photograph. Not only that, but when we were told we would be close to the best photo opportunities we did not expect to see the entrance to the park and the monastery right from our hotel window!! We had simply taken the long route to the Upper Lake in the dark, walking right past the entrance!

Connor Pass

Carol Freshley October 21, 2015

This was our last formal shoot with Daragh and good friends. The Pass was cold and very windy. We got there early enough to appreciate the blue hour and hope that color would be added to the great vista below us.

As the sun lightened up the top of the mountain the pink faded. Graduated ND filters kept the scene 'in control'.

Fisheye alert!  The only way to get a good view of all three lakes. — Fisheye alert! The only way to get a good view of all three lakes.

Shot from the moving van as we returned to the hotel.

We were shivering as we got back into the van for our return to the hotel. After a nice warm breakfast, we loaded up and started our almost 4 hour drive back to Dublin. It was an incredible trip. We thank you for joining us.

Just Another Beach Sunset

Carol Freshley October 20, 2015

One might think that so many sunset opportunities would become 'ho hum'. Not so! Each beach presents its own 'personality' and the change each day of lighting makes it exciting. This evening we headed out for our last sunset shot with Daragh and our newly formed 'family'. We left early so we could stop several times along the way.

But first, we had the fun of shooting yet another old structure. There are so many of these in the area and I often wondered who lived here, and what was their life like? One thing they had was a great view!

I think, but am not sure, that this is the Dún Chaoin Pier.  If you wish to shoot this scene for a calendar competition, arrive in better light and arrange for a local sheep herder to move his sheep down the walkway!! — I think, but am not sure, that this is the Dún Chaoin Pier. If you wish to shoot this scene for a calendar competition, arrive in better light and arrange for a local sheep herder to move his sheep down the walkway!!

Here is an opportunity for Ann and Greg H. to combine their love of hiking with Greg's interest in photography and Ann's growing interest in photography.  No losers on this option. — Here is an opportunity for Ann and Greg H. to combine their love of hiking with Greg's interest in photography and Ann's growing interest in photography. No losers on this option.

We thought Tom was lost.  Nope.  Just out getting a shot that the rest of us would not get! — We thought Tom was lost. Nope. Just out getting a shot that the rest of us would not get!

As the gold sets in.  The three ridges on the left are called Three Sisters. — As the gold sets in. The three ridges on the left are called Three Sisters.

For a while I could not shoot.  All I wanted to do was sit and watch and whisper, "Oh WOW!" under my breath.  When a wave like that hit the rocks my heart would pound hard and I felt privileged to be a witness to the power of nature. — For a while I could not shoot. All I wanted to do was sit and watch and whisper, "Oh WOW!" under my breath. When a wave like that hit the rocks my heart would pound hard and I felt privileged to be a witness to the power of nature.

Our group was quiet as we returned to the hotel for dinner. Perhaps we were in an appropriate state of reverence, or perhaps we were just tired and overwhelmed. For sure there was a bit of sadness realizing that our trip was almost over. One more shoot left, a sunrise over Connor Pass in the morning.