Obscura Photographic

Dublin Asylum

2012-05-04T12:06:00.002-07:00

Recently we paid a visit to an Asylum in County Dublin. Although not all of the Hospital is abandoned there are certain parts of the old building that are. We managed to get into some of the wards and rec areas of the units...and of course we had our cameras with us....... The sad part of this place is that as you walk around the areas, there are personal possessions scattered around...photos...cd's etc....possibly from past patients.

Stormy Skerries 25th April 2012

2012-05-03T14:06:00.003-07:00

Last week on Wednesday 25th April, Skerries in North County Dublin got battered by a storm. I went down to an area known as 'Red Island' which is a place I go quite often to take some shots. The wind was incredible and it was bloody freezing. But, however I did manage to get some shots of the giant waves crashing over 'The Captains :

Camera : Canon 500D
Lens : 18-55mm & 90-300mm
App : F8
Shutter : 1/125

The Gas Mask

2012-04-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

In Urban Exploration the gasmask has played various roles in some amazing scenarios. The first time I have ever seen a gas mask in a photograph with urban decay is when the first Chernoybl pictures came about with the room full of them all over the floor.
Then after that many people used gas masks to hide their identity while out in places they should not be. Then it became a more artistic apocalyptic tool with people posing in certain situations wearing certain outfits. They suit well in nuclear bunkers and military locations.
I bought my first gas mask in the Georges Street arcade in Dublin from the lads who buy and sell coins. Myself and friends have great fun while out on location posing. This image was taken at Magee Barracks in Kildare using a 50mm.

Camera: Canon EOS 300D
Lense: Canon 50mm
Aperture: f/11.0
Shutter Speed: 5.0sec
Focal Lenght: 50mm
ISO: 100
Date Taken: 04/02/2012

Derelict Powerstation in Blanchardstown

2012-04-04T08:04:00.004-07:00

We drove past this place on Saturday. From the distance I hadn't got a clue what it was. Pretty cool place for photos although there is no access to get inside the tall part of the building. They have piled up earth in front of all the doorways....you would need a mini digger to get in .... so we took some from outside......here's some pics

Derelict Farmhouse North County Dublin

2012-04-04T02:49:00.005-07:00

I have driven past this place so many times in the past and never considered going in to have a look. From the outside it looked like it was just a shell of a building so you can imagine my suprise when I finally did go inside to have a nosey......hope you enjoy the pics.

More Photos from the Building on Saturday

2012-04-04T01:58:00.002-07:00

There was a morgue part to this building. I pressume this was some sort of training college or something. The morgue building was really interesting!!...........

Urbex....Finally got to have a go!!

2012-04-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Finally got to try my hand and have a go at Urban Exploration......had a brilliant day....hooked totally....Roll on the next one!!!!

Some pics from last Saturday : Hope you enjoy

Getting Better Shots Of Your Kids

2012-03-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Young children do no cooperate. Its true.

But sometimes there can be beauty in non-cooperation... I now have five nieces and two nephews, whom I adore. Capturing fleeting moments of their personalities - them growing and changing as individuals - is something I truly love doing. This can be hard. Children move quickly and generally without concern for the person trying desperately to get a sharp photo of their wondrous faces amazed by this depressing and mundane world.

But I digress...

A few things to keep in mind that can make the difference between a good shot and a great shot.

1. Fast shutter speed: As I mentioned, despite their small size, children are fast. Generally anything over 1/200 of a second will be good for a sharp enough image. Of course, sometimes some blur/movement can be good in an image depending on what you want to achieve.

2. Aperture: Depending on what lens I’m using, I’ll generally try and shoot between F1.8 and F3.5 Some people will think this is crazy considering how fast kids will move in and out of focus. And they might be right. But when you get perfectly sharp nose/eyes/mouth with some lovely soft fall-off and bokeh, it’s worth every one of those shots not in focus.

3. Lenses: Depending on what you’re trying to capture, lens choice can be crucial. Generally when you point a camera too close to a child they will look everywhere bar straight down the barrel of the lens. A good telephoto lens will help you capture a candid moment when the kid you’re shooting is not aware/does not care that you’re shooting away.

4. Strive to capture personality: If I can I’ll tend to take photos outside – in the garden, on the beach, in the park – anywhere where kids can run wild and really be themselves (also, you have more of chance of having the light you need to shoot a fast enough shutter speed)

5. Be prepared for some full cards: I don’t pretend to say that every shot I get of one of my nieces/nephew are keepers. They’re not. They’re dark, they’re bright they’re blurry, they’re shit.
But generally, you’ll get a shot – in between the crap – that captures a moment. And when you get that shot, (in my experience one that you never expect) you know that it was all worth it.

The Urban Life

2012-03-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

The urban life is a name given to a small series of images I have done which represent everything I love about Dublin. What I love is the concrete mess in which we live, high rise towers, bridges, motorways, train tracks you name it, its what makes Dublin.

Only recently I have started to capture the many interesting places at night. During the day people do not notice such beauty as they have other things on their agende but when places are presented to them at night with some vibrancy they love it. I hope you enjoy my images. If you would like to see more up let me know and I will be happy to contribute further,.

If you want to see more of my work you can check out http://www.shanewalshphotog.com I shall be uploading more images here soon.

Timescapes by Tom Lowe

2012-03-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous and Brilliant Timescapes on here from Tom Lowe.....great stuff....

http://vimeo.com/33110953

Places to Photograph in Ireland

2012-03-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Nice webpage showing some great locations around Ireland for photographers. Some nice images on it too.

http://inphotograph.com/tag/places-to-photograph-in-ireland/

New Features in Photoshop CS6

2012-03-23T03:31:00.001-07:00

Here's a video of the new features available in the upcoming Photoshop CS6....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOgHRaViiGQ&feature=youtu.be

Storm in a Teacup

2012-03-23T03:05:00.000-07:00

This is a great little place on the Harbour in Skerries. Great when you're out and about around the head with your camera ... mostly freezing.. and then drop in here for a hot Latte.....

During the Summer their Ice Cream is yum too!!!!!. If you are around Skerries be sure to check 'Storm in a Teacup' before you go home....

Obscura Photographic Prints

2012-03-23T00:28:00.002-07:00

This is a link to my Facebook Page where most of my Photos are uploaded. Feel free to drop in and have a look. I try to update the page as often as I can.

HappySnapper

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.216431811743179.62837.100001290866910&type=3#!/Obscuraprints

Feel Free to Post Anything Photography Related

2012-03-22T16:23:00.000-07:00

If anybody wants to post some photogarphy links, photos, events...etc...please feel free to do so...

HappySnapper

Camera Clubs Around Ireland

2012-03-22T16:05:00.003-07:00

If you are new to Photography, a great way to learn is to join your local Camera Club. It's a valuable way to learn and to improve your photography which is the aim of all camera clubs.

Most clubs will have outings and run internal competitions for it's members and will often ask Professionals to give Presentations in the club on various topics relating to Photography.

Below is a list of Camera Clubs around our little Island...have a look, I'm sure there's one close to where you live.

Get Snappy......Give it a go...

http://www.photographyireland.net/list-of-irish-camera-clubs-t27662.html

Photo Submission for 'Digital Photo'

2012-03-22T15:29:00.001-07:00

This was a Shot I took a year or so ago and managed to get it into the Gallery Section of last August Edition of 'Digital Photo' Magazine.....let me know what you think.......
Shot is of the end of the Pier in Skerries Co.Dublin.

Skerries Again Last Sunday

2012-03-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

Walking along South Strand Last Sunday......

Hyperfocal Distance?...wha?...Cupla focal What??

2012-03-22T15:11:00.003-07:00

I've heard this term before. .... But what does it mean?...

.................Well the concept of hyperfocal distance is easy to understand: focus a lens at the hyperfocal distance and everything in the photograph from some near distance to infinity will be sharp. Landscape photographs are often taken with the lens focused at the hyperfocal distance; near and distant objects are sharp in the photos.
There are numerous websites that you can download charts for different camera models. I used these charts a lot now when shooting at night as it's near impossible to focus on anything clearly, even through the camera screen at the back...or maybe it's just my eyesight. Either way these charts are a great little tool to carry with you. A tip is if you plan on printing them, make sure to laminate the sheet. The first one I didn't and ended up with a soggy mess....link below to download some charts for Canon, Nikon, Lecia and Sony Digital Cameras :

http://www.pbase.com/eos5d/hyperfocal

Urban Exploration

2012-03-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

I remember seeing this guy last year on the news and thought that would be cool...going around photographing old or abandoned buildings. Here's the link to his page. The photographer is Tarquin Blake. Some nice shots in here.

http://www.abandonedireland.com/start.html

Although after looking through this website and since looking through Urbex Books and their website, these guys take things just a wee bit further.....This is a whole bunch of websites dedicated to urban exploration. Mind blowing photos......have to try this myself.

http://weburbanist.com/2008/05/18/30-awesome-websites-for-adverturous-urban-explorers-urbex-forums-photos-and-more/

HDR Desaturated Shot....

2012-03-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

Rogerstown Harbour.......

Mono HDR....

2012-03-22T07:44:00.001-07:00

Old Farmhouse in North County Dublin

Mono is Best.....

2012-03-22T07:37:00.001-07:00

Horse in Lusk Co.Dublin

Tips for Landscape Photography

2012-03-22T07:20:00.003-07:00

Another good page on tips for Landscape Photography.......

http://www.thisweekinphoto.com/2012/4-tips-for-better-landscape-photos/

Tips For Sunset Photography

2012-03-22T05:37:00.003-07:00

Being lucky enough to live by the sea....there's nothing better than getting up early on a summers morning to catch a sunrise or staying out to catch the sunset. Here's a page with some tips for catching it right.

http://improvephotography.com/416/30-tips-sunset-photography/