In a (New) World of My Own

I’m still way way within my comfort zone on this, but it felt good doing it nonetheless…

There’s been too much bleakness in my life lately, both in front of and behind the camera, so I’ve made some effort to inject a little colour into this scene. Taken during the midst of a rainshower on the Dyke Road near Terryland.

I’ll start with an obligatory props to Julie and her family for taking me around the Atlantic Drive on Achill.

I came to Achill Island expecting to be profoundly stirred. I was. From the moment that we climbed the hill to face (for the first time in my life) the full fury of an Atlantic winter storm, to getting caught in a flash shower on the pier at Mallaranny, I was completely awestruck by the sights on the island. With that came a problem, a horrible burning question in my mind that shone brighter the more that day’s light faded: How could I adequately capture the majesty? It wasn’t a case of equipment. While I’d have appreciated the presence of a 50mm lens, I had good coverage of the focal range and the know-how to employ it. Instead, it was vision. I’m sitting on a clifftop while being battered by hundred kilometre an hour winds and sea-spray tossed up from the sea that was (technically) a few hundred feet below me. To my left I have a a majestic mountain rising right out of the sea. To my right I see the kind of broken shore that inspires prophets, poets and madmen. I thought I might emulate the spectacular Kerry landscapes of Danny O’Brien, but after one half-arsed attempt I swerved away because I’d be selling myself short.

Instead I chose that other stable of the west coast: Dull resorts where I spent my childhood holidays hiding from the rain, fighting with my sister and watching mum and dad occasionally enact the next few world wars. So here’s to you, childhood inanity.

Bad – better – best? You tell me. Shot on the grounds of NUIG earlier this afternoon.

I paid Salthill and Blackrock their threatened visit this morning (lunchtime), and in the face of strong winds and high seas I proceeded to face off the wilds on the Atlantic winter weather in order to capture these scenes. Bless me.

Other than my stab at the ”Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, this represents my first serious infrared output in the last couple of years. Mike and Kieran of Boards.ie (and Kieran especially – cheers for the ride!) who both crawled out of bed way too early on a Sunday for a morning of photography at Renville forest park just outside of Oranmore. Yes. There. That tree…