The essence of a flower
September 11th, 2009
What is the essence of a flower?
Sweet or subtley scented.
A dash of colour in the wind.
Delicate, fragile and soft.
Curling interleaved petals.
Bejeweled with waterdrops.
Simple or intricate.
With brash loud colour or whispered tones.
A transient beauty…
In the Breeze.
A dash of colour in the wind.
Silk-like flower.
Campanula.
Bejeweled.
Bejeweled with waterdrops.
Purple Poppy.
With brash loud colour or whispered tones.
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Glenmacnass river valley
September 10th, 2009
One pleasant evening last month Darragh and I headed into the mountains to “do sunset”, as you do! It turned out to be a real treat.
The River by Twilight.
…the easterly light took on a cool quality, with a beautiful blue tone.
We had ear marked the location on a previous journey though the mountains, on an overcast day. Not 100 yards from the roaring violence of Glenmacnass waterfall, the Glenmacnass river seemed almost still. The evening air was warm, with a scent of a nearby barbeque lingering and boggy heather smells too. Nature was painting quite the scene for us. The water was richly peaty from the bog soil it passes through, creating a dark mirror-like surface to reflect the fluffy cloudfilled sky. As the sun went down the easterly light took on a cool quality, with a beautiful blue tone. When the sun approached the horizon the clouds became illuminated. Pinks, purples, oranges, amazing warm tones against the vivid mossy foreground. We stayed until the light completely disappeared and night’s curtain fell on the light performance. ‘Twas was a fantastic evening!
Pink Sunset over Glenmacnass River.
Pinks, purples, oranges, amazing warm tones against the vivid mossy foreground.
Mossy Riverbank.
The water was richly peaty from the bog soil it passes through, creating a dark mirror-like surface to reflect the fluffy cloudfilled sky.
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Dublin’s fair city
September 10th, 2009
Poolbeg Lighthouse
Next to the Poolbeg Lighthouse, the South Bull Wall, is the perfect spot for a different view of the city. The wall, extending way out into the bay, is a great place to be alone with your thoughts… as the ferries whizz by.
The Poolbeg Lighthouse, from the South Wall.
New and old
Two of the most impressive buildings on Dublin’s skyline can be seen from Matt Talbot Bridge, near Georges Quay (pictured below). On one side, the modern AIB building – a multifaceted jewel with it’s pyramid domes, and opposite, the enduring beauty of the Customs House – Dublin’s finest Georgian building.
Dublin Cityscape. (Click for larger version.)
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Lush Flora
April 25th, 2009
As spring turns into summer lush flowers seem to be bursting open everywhere. The air is filled with the sweet heady scent of apple blossoms and cherry blossoms, and the ground carpeted with rich purple bluebells. Everything is so alive. What a wonderful time of year!
Campanula. (from the back garden)
Droplet of water on a petal. (Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin).
Blossoms. (Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin).
Bluebells. (Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin).
I love the fresh green of new leaves and the sounds as they russel softly in the summer breeze.
Dappled light through leaves. (Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin).
New leaves. (Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin).
Fern. (Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin).
Soft petal. (Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin).
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Hook Head, Co. Wexford
April 14th, 2009
Wild seas and handsome chissled features make the Hook peninsula in county Wexford a truely majestic location. At the farthest outcrop, the Hook Lighthouse stands proudly before the waves watching out for those at sea.
View from Hook Head.
Hook Lighthouse.
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Lonely Trees, Sally Gap
March 18th, 2009
One of my favourite spots in the Wicklow Mountains National Park is the Sally Gap, in particular an open plain with two very unusual trees. Many years of wild winds has given them a beautiful shape.
Lonely Tree. (View larger).
Sally Gap Sisters.
Get your motor running. (View larger).
Nearby a stream meanders by another ancient tree.
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Snow in the Sally Gap
February 27th, 2009
A few weeks back my partner and I braved the elements to venture up the Wicklow mountains in search of some winter landscape shots. We wrapped in multiple layers of clothing, packed the car with some essentials, and drove up into the mountains. When we reached a point where the road was blocked with snow, we got out and hiked the rest of the way. Our exertion was well rewarded when we witnessed the sun rising over the icy landscape.
camera gear – check,
coats, fleeces – check,
wellies – check,
spare socks – check,
flask of hot coffee and biccies – check,
space blanket (well you never know!) – check.
Here are a couple of shots from the mini expedition.
Sally Gap Panorama. (Click image for larger version.)
Snow in the Sally Gap.
Tags: landscape, Sally Gap, snow, Wicklow
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Water study, Co. Leitrim
February 26th, 2009
Glencar waterfall, located close to scenic Leitrim’s Sligo border, is so pretty that Sligonians often try to claim it as their own.
Soft Waterfall.
Aqua Abstract. Lough Gill, Co. Leitrim
Closeby is Lough Gill, another picturesque natural water feature.
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Riding off into the sunset
January 5th, 2009
Location hunting
Myself and the boyf went to check out some new potential landscape photography locations in Waterford last Friday. Unfortunately the sunrise was happening behind 90% cloud cover. However, the location is stunning so we’ll definitely be heading back at some point when the weather and the tides are suitable – so watch this space!
Blackwater beach, Co. Wexford
On the return journey I decided to stop off at a few other locations including Blackwater beach, in Co. Wexford. The afternoon sun was really bright with a wonderful quality of light creating pastel shades in the sky, as is evident in the outtake below.
Outtake. 
Suddenly out of nowhere two people on horseback appeared for a gallop on the beach. So I legged it after them to get a few shots before they disappeared into the distance.
Horses on Blackwater beach I. (6×7 crop)
~
Horses on Blackwater beach II ( Square crop)
Tags: beach, Blackwater beach, Photography, sea, Waterford, Wexford
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New year, new blog, new beginning
January 1st, 2009
Hello and welcome to the first post to “In pursuit of beauty”. In the spirit of new year’s resolutions I’ve decided to journal my photography in this blog. (From time to time I will also post on other topics also.)
A few days ago I was down on Ardanary beach in Brittas Bay for sunrise. There were the most incredible deep reds and purples in the sky before the sun came up. This colour softened as the sun light increased. (Note to self: must be there 20 mins earlier next time!) The weather was frosty with a small amount of cloud adding interest in the sky. Here’re a couple of the keepers:
Ardanary beach.
This was taken on the way back to the car when all the carefully considered shots were in the can. The light had gotten lovely and warm giving nice highlights on the foamy surf. I like the implied diagonals of the cloud and the water.
Time and tide. I played with the saturation of this shot a little to enhance the greens, blues and yellows. The concept for this was a “mini landscape”. I enjoy the contrasts: darks and lights, the hard rock versus the water, and the solidity of the rock versus rhythm of the water.
Looking forward to an exciting year,
Paula
Tags: Photography, sea, sunrise, Wicklow
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Recent Posts
- The essence of a flower
- Glenmacnass river valley
- Dublin’s fair city
- Lush Flora
- Hook Head, Co. Wexford
