Oyster Catcher and another calm Day

I read a post by American photographer Scott Bourne this morning about how to photograph birds in flight, which I had never really done. I followed his advice and set the shutterspeed to 1/1000 sec in auto ISO and took  pictures on Ballinskelligs Beach of the Oyster Catcher. I came home and had a good few pictures in focus with the bird separated from the background. Here is the link if you like to read the post for yourself.
http://photofocus.com/2010/01/22/a-simple-primer-on-photographing-birds-in-flight/

Oyster Catchers

Later in the evening I went to the Glen, St.Finians Bay,  again, to watch the sun going down. Tripod and Remote Shutter Release are vital for those pictures and a graduated neutral density filter can help to darken or accentuate the sky slightly.

 

 

 

Long Days and Lots of Sun

As everyone else I enjoyed last week´s hot summer weather. Not only did I go swimming and fix a few things in the garden, but also took the rare opportunity to take pictures at dusk and dawn with the sun shining through a few summery clouds.
There was virtually no wind so it was safe enough to put my tripod on the cliffs in Paris, Valentia Island.

The next morning dawned beautifully ( and early ) at the old pier in Portmagee Channel and nearby bogs.

Portmagee-Fishing Village

Portmagee Village is a little gem among all places I have visited in Ireland. It has everything you need for a holiday by the sea, like a little harbour where fishing boats come in at evening with their load, boats for day trips to the famous Skelligs go out every morning in calm weather, a mooring for sailing and pleasure boats and a tidy little harbour front with houses, pubs, a restaurant, coffee shop, Bed &Breakfast Accomodations and Holiday Houses, a general shop and the church all within walking distance.
You can walk around after a nice evening meal, take a few pictures in the setting sun over the harbour and when darkness is complete enjoy some time in a pub where there is regular music and set dancing sessions.

Sunset on Valentia Island

It was another fine day in south Kerry and I set out to capture the sunset on Valentia Island. As the days are getting longer the sun moves further west to northwest so that an evening in Portmagee or Valentia will get the last sunrays.
I really like taking pictures either early or late in the day, colours are more interesting, I think, and shadows and textures give a more graphic touch to my subjects.
You can see the cliffs on the north side of Valentia Island and a Standing Stone at St.Brendan´s Well. On my way back from Valentia Island I took a picture of Portmagee Harbour and Pier.

6 basic tips for landscape photography

1. try taking landscape images in early morning and late evening - the light lets colour and saturation appear stronger
   

2. try using a tripod or anything that can act as a stabiliser for your camera to avoid camera shake
   

3. think composition (although you could crop your image later on the computer- take your time to “make the picture”)
   

4. think story - slow down and think about what you are doing,

On the other hand- why not experiment, you can have fun and learn something

5. use something of interest in the foreground to lead into your picture and create a sense of depth
   

6. stand on higher vantage points give you a commanding view, (but take care and find secure footing on slippery ground or wet rocks)