The Irish Green

              I am very fond of natural light, actually I never use flash, simply because I enjoy light as it is, I prefer to adjust to it, according to the conditions, than to invade everything with a flash. Obviously, it would be a different story if I was working in a studio. Since I am not, I can allow myself this luxury not to use flash and to explore the generous gift of our beautiful sun.
     When taking photos outdoors, it's very important to know when to go looking for the perfect light. My favourite time of the day, with the best conditions for taking photos outdoors is early in the morning. Obviously, it all depends on the weather and cloud cover. If the day is clear with no clouds you have to be out as early as possible and as close to the sunrise as you can actually wake up. Some clouds allow for a late start and sometimes, it is possible to take photos all day long if you have the right conditions like lots of diffused light and not too much contrast, which usually happens in the middle of the day and early afternoon.
     Also, it depends what you are going to take photos of.
     At the moment I mainly take images of plants - flowers, trees, leaves, branches. I seem to be drawn to the amazing lush greenness all around. This is what everyone know about Ireland after all, how green it is.
     Now is the moment to stop and admire the beautiful summer gift of Mother Nature - the lush verdant leaves dancing in the breeze and the swaying rushes keeping up their rhythm. 

Enjoy the Irish Green

Thank you for the visit!!!

RAIN! rain! RaiN!

   Yesterday, after weeks of relentless sun and unusual for Ireland heat, we got rain! And it was some rain believe me! More like a deluge, lashing down from the sky. 

   It all started with heavy thunder, rolling slowly over the hills and landing right on top of our picturesque village. Followed by the inseparable lightning crackling wildly everywhere around us. The clouds swooped in so fast, I am sure some people didn't have time to hide. Luckily I was at home and managed to get some photos through the open window, otherwise my camera would have suffered   some irreparable damage, I am sure!

Thanks for visiting!!

Look at some colours to fill better why don't you?

The Perfect Summer Light

I have mentioned the photographer's search for The Perfect Light on quite a few occasions. Obviously, this is a very vast subject.

That is why, I will not even try to explain what kind of light other artist are looking for. As far as I am concerned, I believe that lately I found the perfect natural light, with the best conditions possible for nature photography. It doesn't happen often here in Ireland because light like that requires a bit more sun and less clouds. So far this summer we were blessed with glorious weather. It's been sunny and hot for about a month now which hasn't happened for at least 5 or 6 years.

So one day, while I was out, finally I found what I was looking for. Enjoy the best Summer Light with me. 

  

Click on the images to view better

Thank you for the visit!!

Find the magic of the sycamore tree

Let's Go for a WalK

    There are quite a few positive outcomes from a walk.

• you get a lot of fresh air. Being outdoors reboots the system and recharges the batteries. After the walk you feel refreshed, revitalized and renewed. Ready to get on with whatever life brings on.

• you can also walk the dogs, they have their own business to do out there... Mine take their walk very seriously. And I think they have an internal clock, once it's time to go out they start stretching, yawning, getting ready, no matter if I am ready to go or not. And if I am still busy with something they start giving me those looks that can only mean: Are You Ready Yet!!!!!!! 

• for me, the best part of going for a walk is taking the camera with me. Unfortunately, this only means that no one else will be happy about it, not even the dogs. Now during the holidays, I made a deal with my son: he has to come  with me during the week and then he has the weekend off to do that ever he wants. It's a great deal, but he doesn't like it when I take the camera with me because that involves a lot of stops along the way. 

• And he is not the only one complaining either, the dogs can do that very expressively too. They often have to sit around and wait while I have my head in a bush or crawling around in the weeds after close ups and macros.

• But hey, at the end of the day, everyone is happy, we all feel fresh, renewed and clear headed. I have noticed that even if someone doesn't feel like going out for a walk, no matter what, at the end, they always feel much better and happier, even if someone like me had to talk them into going outside.

You see even if they didn't want to go at first, 

they are all up for it now!! 

So get out in the fresh air and take a good walk 

to recharge your batteries,

you won't regret it!! 

Soon enough you will be running around like them (smile)