Barry Fitzgerald's Photo Blog

Blennerville, Co. Kerry - Slieve Mish Mountains

2011-11-19T17:10:00.000Z

A well known location just outside Tralee town is the small village of Blennerville. The windmill is an obvious landmark for any photograph. However it's more often than not taken with the old stone bridge as part of the scene.

It's at times like this I try to avoid conventional thinking and aim for something a little different than expected, the other advantage of not having the bridge is I can avoid any cars and traffic from spoiling the scene that is a spectacular one..if the conditions are right.

I've been to this location a lot but never really been happy with the lighting conditions. During the summer you frequently get a strong haze covering the mountains, not ideal for photographing the area. This day was dramatic with strong dark clouds in the sky, but with the sun breaking though at various moments. The wind was fairly strong as well adding some well needed "action" to the water, a dull foreground can spoil a shot like this.

I timed my shot to hit just as the sun was piercing through the clouds. I rarely see light as beautiful as this.

Tarbert, Co. Kerry

2011-02-03T09:26:00.001Z

Tarbert is a small town in the north of Kerry and easy to overlook but it has some nice coastal areas. With the light levels falling (a popular time to take any scenic/landscape shots) I took a few photos with the warm light making the scene quite charming.

It's been a while..

2010-12-17T21:57:00.000Z

I've been a bit quiet on the blog of late so I thought I would just start to add a few photos showing that I am still around!
I shall be adding more to this over time but a few shots just to get started.

And I'm still very much not available for studio photo sessions I work in your house or at a location of your choice. Natural light is very important to some photographers and you simply won't get away with a "fake Dingle" backdrop in the studio. And why would you want to fake Dingle anyway? Why not just go there and have portraits taken? Something to remember in years to come an experience of actually being there and not sweating under a lighting system with contrived poses and cheesy smiles ;-)

Each to his own as they say but I'm sticking to my own way of working here and I believe it's a much more satisfying experience for both photographer and those who are getting their photo taken. Indoor events I still mostly use natural light where possible. So if you see that guy around town with a big camera and huge flashgun screaming at people it's absolutely not me!

Wedding - Olivia & Alan

2010-07-19T18:51:00.002+01:00

The wedding ceremony was held at Lixnaw Church which was recently refurbished and has wonderful lighting. Afterwards a reception at the Listowel Arms Hotel.

In keeping with my preference for natural lighting shots where possible I put away the flashgun for the shots inside the church, it’s a shame so few photographers use natural light as the results in my view are far more pleasing and natural. A great day for the happy couple and a nice large group of over 150 people made this a lively and memorable event.

I’ve picked out a selection of shots that show the big day off from behind the camera.

Wedding - Nuala & Andrew

2010-05-12T10:33:00.005+01:00

I had the pleasure of covering the wedding of Nuala and Andrew who were married in Killorglin. The couple were very relaxed and a pleasure to work with, and not a hint of being camera shy! A smaller gathering of around 50 people made this a fairly informal and friendly event.

During a wedding it's common for hundreds of photos to be taken on the day, these are just a few I have picked out.

Composition - Details

2010-04-14T12:19:00.000+01:00

There is a well known saying that many photographers are aware of. It's something along the lines of: "put one hundred photographers in the same spot, and you'll get 100 different and unique photos" Of course some might be better than others..and there might be some out of that one hundred that may be similar to each other. Most won't be though and there will be a huge variation from angles and composition, to exposures and what the subject is or might be to each person. None will be identical.

This next series of shots demonstrates this fairly well. The location is "Slea Head" just outside Dingle Town and a very extensively photographed location that is. Wonderful place and some fantastic opportunities. The statue of Christ is an obvious landmark for the area.

You can "Google" Slea Head and browse the many many images of this location on the web. You'll see a huge variety of photos many different angles and compositions. In fact I would suggest this is a good idea for anyone with an interest in photography. It's sometimes very useful to see other people's ideas and work and can encourage some experimentation and helps to avoid to obvious too. If you are planning on taking photos at a location..simply browse the web and get some ideas before you go.

Slea Head: Shot on Ektar 100 film

My first shot is a wide angle and what I would consider a "normal" composition. I've taken this one facing slightly towards the Atlantic Ocean..even though you can't see it in this shot! It's often taken the other direction facing towards the land. This is roughly at eye level which is sometimes a good idea and sometimes it's not. Don't be afraid to go up higher or lower down kneeling can add a dramatic effect at times. Wide angle shots can be useful to convey the overall area and location, however there are times when moving in closer can be useful.

Moving in closer: A very different image

The statue is painted white but the salt water and location means the effects of rust can be pretty strong at times. This caught my eye as I walked around the statue. It's clear to see the rust effect is symbolic and gives an impression of "blood" on Christ's leg at least that is what I thought of when I saw this. Don't be afraid to spend some time moving around an area and not take pictures, don't just blast away frames hoping to get something good. In my experience digital can be incredibly useful and instant results are always welcomed, but the temptation to "machine gun" shots can be a real problem. You'll be far happier with a couple of good ones..then a few hundred weak photos. Quantity counts for nothing in this game! Instincts can play a vital role here sometimes you can simply "feel a good shot" trust your own judgement..you're shooting for yourself not for anyone else.

Composition - Perspective

2010-03-17T13:26:00.007Z

Composition is one of the most critical aspect of a photography, but also one of the most diverse and difficult to pin down. A photo can be appealing (or not) for many reasons, colour, texture, lighting & exposure, subject placement, even a facial expression. In some cases, a combination of the above can make or break a shot. One on it's own can be enough, sometimes many together contribute to the success of a final shot.

But I'm not here to try to "measure" a photograph or it's merits, to chart the strong a weak points on a scale of 1 to 10. That exercise is somewhat pointless, at the most basic level a photograph (or painting) either works, or it does not. Still, we can at least look at what elements are a factor,and how they helped enhance the final result.

Perspective is one element of composition, it can be either man made lines, or a natural scene...the result is to pull the viewer into a shot by the use of "depth" As photos and paintings are flat and not 3 dimensional this is even more important than it might seem at first glance.

Tarbert Church, Co. Kerry: The ceiling beams and seating pews create depth for the viewer

The shot above has very strong and obvious lines, leading to a point at the back of the church. Note the fact the composition is balanced, with equal spacing either side..the focal point is the down the aisle to the "Christ" picture. A low viewpoint and wider angle lens, placed a stronger emphasis on the ceiling over the pews. The church is a fairly modern one, and it would be easy to ignore for many photographers. In this case the use of perspective, and and a lower viewpoint has made the shot somewhat different to a normal one.

Had I stood up, and took the shot from a normal eye point, the perspective element would have been far less obvious and dramatic. Converging lines, and balance are the main appeal for this particular shot. Try to imagine the shot with the focal point dead centre, and with the pews and ceiling beams split 50/50. The result would be very different, with equal elements competing for the viewers eye. Frequently photographers try to enhance the appeal of one element or subject over another, composition is one way of doing this.

Ventry, near Dingle: A strong emphasis on the stone wall

and dirt track show a natural way of using perspective

This photo gives a good example of how to use perspective out and about in the non man made world! Converging lines are present, but they are not straight as in the church shot. I used a very low viewpoint on top of the stone wall lying on top of it with the camera just inches above the stone. With a wide angle lens in use, and moving in closer the the wall...you create an exaggeration of objects that are close to the camera.

The road to the left is open at the start of the picture, and closes down towards the bend. The same happens with the stone wall, leading lines converging to create a sense of depth and scale. This picture would have looked completely different taken from a standing position which is what many people would have done. Note the "vanishing point" is not central, but slightly off left position much higher up the frame. Where you place your vanishing point can have a very significant effect on the picture. I have also ignored completely the "rule of thirds", with the foreground taking a much stronger part in the composition, to the exclusion of the sky. The rule of thirds is merely a useful guide/starting point to photographers and artist alike. It is not an etched in stone rule, and should be broken as and when desired!

One of the most powerful tools a photographer has is composition, and in some cases perspective can become the strongest part of a picture.

The Gap of Dunloe

2010-03-08T21:52:00.004Z

This is a wonderful location, and whilst I have been here more than a few times. It is also one that will test the patience of any landscape photographer to the limit!

Light is a critical element for scenic photography, and you have absolutely no control over it. More than a few times I have simply not pulled a camera out just because the light is not right..or good enough. Softer tones, come early in the morning later in the evening. Again I'm using Kodak's new Ektar 100 film, this film can work very well for this type of shot as it enhances the tones and saturation of colours, but not too wildly at the same time. But it's better suited to scenic work, or travel photography, not an all round general purpose film.

So why do I continue to do landscape work with film? Simple reason, I prefer the look of film. This is just one film from a selection of those available..and there are a number of very nice ones out there. I know some people consider film to be old hat, dated and of no real use. Digital is a wonderful tool, but yet I find digital capture somehow lacking that little something, tonal wise. It's rare for me to shoot digital for scenic or landscapes any more, I was not getting the feel or tones I liked,..I do using film.

So, here are the shots, I hope you like them. This area is a vast expanse, I hope I can portray the location in a fitting way.

If you have never shot film, you should give it a try, you might surprise yourself! If you have, there is life left in the stuff yet. Simply put, film looks completely different to digital. Many photographers prefer slide film, but here I am using negative film. The plus side, it's easier to get hold of, quicker to process. The difficulty comes with scanning negative film, that can take some effort. I like to think the effort is worth it!

Corporate Image

2010-03-08T14:33:00.004Z

I had the pleasure of providing some portraits for John and Ina, who wanted some shots for their business website.
It can be useful for companies to put a picture or face to a name, and it enhances a personal element, which is important for any business. We decided on a more casual slant for the shoot. The location was the town park in Tralee. A nice open area, and with a time set earlier in the morning, the light was softer. Most photographers are keen to avoid the times of 12 noon, to 3pm. During those times the light is hard..and unflattering.

Ina & John: With a slight angle on the composition,

adds a little informality to the shot

and conveys a documentary style to the viewer.

I have both Ina and John in focus, but with a somewhat blurred background, this helps focus the attention of the viewer to the subjects. The slanted angle, can be very effective at times, a favourite of wedding photographers. However, it's important to not overdo it! A very strong angle can be distracting, or using the effect for every other shot..one to keep for once in a while use.

John: One of a number of shots I took, this one,

with a fast lens to blur the background.

For this shot, I've made an off centre composition, with John to the left hand side. There are no hard and fast rules for photography, but it is often a good idea to move the subject away from the middle. A flash was used to remove shadows from the face. Flash is an important part of daylight portraits, this time I reduced the power of the flash down, so that it balances well with the ambient light. A soft background blurred by using a fast aperture, again helps to concentrate the attention to the person.

Ina: Using a reflector and flash set to low power,

removes shadows and looks natural.

For this shot I used a reflector to add some warmth to the skin tones, and a flash to fill in some shadows. Good flash technique can make a big difference to a portrait. Whist it's nice to use pure natural light, there is a time to use a flash. With a reduced output from the flash, there is just enough light to remove shadows, and importantly it adds a "catchlight" to the pupils. Portrait shots benefit greatly from that small light in the eyes. If you use too much flash, it can overwhelm the subject..and look artificial, and sometimes cause hot spots on the skin, which is to be avoided. Processing wise I have gone for a slightly lower contrast, as per usual, I keep my processing to a minimum. Good technique on the capture moment, is rewarding and saves time later on.

I very much enjoy taking portraits of people, and the challenge of making both individual and group shots is both interesting and a challenge. Making the most effective use of the light available, and trying different compositions, make it a fascinating subject for many photographers. Experimentation is both fun, and can yield some interesting results. Many folks assume flash is for indoors. This is not always the case, and it can be very useful for outdoor shots. Good flash technique can work very well, whilst a poor one can give results that are unappealing and harsh.

When old isn't!

2010-01-28T22:12:00.002Z

Of all the photographs I have take, the one that possibly would rank as a favourite, for myself, is the "Olde" Pembroke Castle picture.

The story behind this shot is unusual, for a number of reasons. Of all the photographic equipment I own, this was taken on the least capable camera, a half broken Olympus 35mm compact. This model has a faulty battery compartment, this means I have to use adhesive tape to stop the batteries falling out!

Pembroke Castle, Wales: 1892 or 2002?

Of course, this particular camera would not be the Landscape camera of choice for any photographer. However, at this time, it was the only camera I had on me. This model has no manual controls, so unfortunately the exposure was notably underexposed. When negative film is starved of light, it get's a lot of grain, and can black up in the shadow areas. Thus the image you see, is mostly as a result of an "accident", rather than a plan!

My attempts to rescue the image enhanced the strong grain even more, adding some local contrast to a few areas, and this is the result. Printed the image has a somewhat ancient feel of it, a million miles away from the clean captures of digital cameras, this one is rather soft..smudgy and it looks as if it were taken at least 100 years ago. In reality, I took this photo in the later half of 2002. The clues are in the lights that are shown on the footpath.

Some photographers would be tempted to remove them, but I operate a fairly strict policy for my Landscape work, if it's there, it stays there! I never move, or add, or remove any objects in any photographs. The reason? Whilst Photography is not always an accurate portrayal of reality, it can skew this somewhat, colours and tones & contrast can be some way off of what they eye sees, I like to keep it at least partly "real". If I remove the posts, then I simply modify something that has become part of the modern Pembroke Castle.

In closing, this photograph keeps two very important points clear in my head. The first is that good can be good, regardless of equipment quality. A Photographer captures images, not a camera, no matter how capable the tool, it is the user who defines the result. The second one is that sometimes accidents happen, in this case it helped create a unique look to the image, this is mostly the result of poor exposure, something we try to avoid most of the time. A bit of luck helped on this one!

I have in recent years been back to Pembroke Castle, a number of times. But failed to capture any images that had even half the impact of this one. A moment had passed, never to return again, the light was never the same, and no matter how hard I tried, it never matched this. Sometimes trying hard, does not always help, my first ever capture of this Castle, (and I have only 1 exposure of this on that film), was fairly quick. You can see when a scene has some appeal, and the shot is taken without even knowing, it just clicks at times. This was one such moment, and it remains a picture that is unique, and that I am very proud of.

Exploring Dingle...

2009-11-16T22:22:00.007Z

Dingle is a very well known location for scenic/landscape photographers, but it's a lot more of a challenge than many might imagine. The main town is an obvious place to find solid shots, and I often find myself wandering into the bay area too.

Light can vary enormously with each visit, the usual preference for most would be later in the evening time, where the softer light can be more flattering to some subjects.

Dingle Bay: A panoramic image

Dingle Bay: Boat arriving

The main church is a fairly impressive building, and well worth a visit. Churches can be fascinating for photographers, inside and out. Every single one is unique, and the older buildings even more interesting.

St. Mary's Church: Shot with an ultra wide angle lens

I'll continue to explore Dingle over the years, as there are many locations outside the town area. It's great fun spending time in this area. Even more to record the area with photographs.

Portaits: On location, more variety...

2009-10-14T21:33:00.002+01:00

I have always enjoyed taking photos of people; over the years I have found that I prefer a more casual take on this subject. The glare of a studio environment can work wonders, but removing a subject from their natural place of residence, also leaves me feeling somewhat cold and can often make some people less comfortable.

Many photographers like the studio, as it allows them to have complete control over the lighting, it's a case of getting the pose or expression. I like the less contrived nature of informal portraits, even if it can be more of a challenge with lighting. Nothing appeals less to me than to put up a cheesy/obvious background, then repeating the same photo shoot with many people. It's like a conveyor belt of sitters..being churned out one after the other! The only variation being the expressions and body positions. Everyone is unique, and deserves to be treated as such!

I want my photos to be original, and not repeatable. All photographers do of course, but the studio can be a barrier to that goal. If you ask a person where was, "that portrait", taken..it might appeal more to say it was at home, at work, in the garden, or a place of interest. The environment and location do matter..

Unposed: Taken on Ilford HP5 film, natural light.

The subject will remember the shot was taken outside her house

Communion: A series of shots back at home, he had just a few seconds to respond to the camera

Cork City: A Day Out...

2009-10-08T14:53:00.000+01:00

I tend to prefer using film for my scenic and general photography. There are a number of reasons for that, but most of all, I prefer the tonality of the images I get from more traditional methods.
Cork is a great place to simply wander around, and it has some great locations to visit. Even in the heart of the City, you have a lot to look at, and possibly photograph. This time I was using Kodak's new Ektar 100 film, which gives a fairly strong colour reproduction, but has a very different look from digital cameras.

Cork City: River Lee (shot from the main bridge)

Cork Timer Company: Main Gate

Michael Collins Statue: Fitzgerald Park

Shop Work: Commercial Photography - Spar Express, Listowel

2009-10-08T12:09:00.000+01:00

Many photographers find shooting commercial premises a challenge, and more interesting than you might imagine. It represents a different side to many other photography areas, and requires a certain interest to pull off something appealing, and to show off the business at it's best.

Sometimes it's better to try close up shots of products, and other times you can get some good angles and compositions using a wider angle for the photograph.

Spar Express, Listowel, Co. Kerry

A selection of fillings for rolls etc.

A fresh Pecan Plait

Ride4Life: Irish Cancer Society, Killarney, 22/08/09

2009-10-08T11:16:00.000+01:00

I attended the Ride4Life charity event, as a photographer for the Irish Cancer Society. The charity cycle was split between a number of stages, with a shorter and longer cycle route.

Around 200 people took part in the event, of all ages, and from different places, not just from Ireland. A few well know faces were there, including former 1987 Tour de France winner, Stephen Roche. Others included Philip Cassidy, and Chris Brewer, from the Lance Armstrong Foundation (Livestrong)

Links:
Lance Armstrong Foundation

Irish Cancer Society

I've posted a few photos for you to look at, click on images for larger versions.

Stephen Roche

Chris Brewer

Philip Cassidy

Main group at the finish