South Kerry Camera Club

Blue hour on Waterville Strand

2012-03-02T11:40:00.000Z

Finally, after a long and dark winter, the club started again to go together for pictures during the famous "blue hour" on a calm and quite warm evening. We met at Waterville Strand, near the Chaplin memorial and aimed mostly over the boulders next to the beach across Waterville Bay to Bolus Head and Ballinskelligs.
My gear was a Olympus 520, mostly with a Zuiko Digital 50-200 and one with a 14-54. Setting was Aperture control with f/22.

Boulders on the strand

Ghosts taking pictures at Waterville beach

Gorse fire on Bolus Head

Light and shadow at nightly Waterville strand

View across Ballinskelligs Bay

All pictures © Franz Schenk

WATERVILLE 01-03-2012

2012-03-01T23:41:00.000Z

After a beautiful day, the South Kerry Camera Club, planned an evening shoot at Waterville Beach, Co Kerry, the theme for the club shoot was to shoot photos of the bay during the blue hour. The following photos are those taken by club member David Rolt, I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them!

I took this and the next two photos when I arrived at 6:25pm with the sun just going.

Its very dark now! ISO 80 Aperture F28 for a long exposure

Nice milky water effects with long shutter speeds.

The Waterville Promenade at night

One of my purposely focus shift shots!

At ISO 800 & F9

Waterville town at night.

Add caption

All Photos Pentax K5 18-55mm & 55-300.. ISO ranges from 80-800

SOFT FOCUS AT DOOKS MOUNTAIN

2012-02-27T20:50:00.000Z

Today 27-02-2012, I decided for a change, to walk the dog at Dooks Mountain bog, Co Kerry. The morning was very overcast with dark clouds, so to take some of the following photos, I had to set the ISO to 400 to expose for some of the foliage that was in the shade. I also decided to try to give the foliage shots a dreamy look, so I set the camera to manual focus, then when correct focus was indicated, I shifted the focus slightly to give the photos a dreamy soft focus look, these photos are not intended to be sharp focus macro shots. It may not be to everyone's taste, but I love to experiment to see what results I can get. As you will see, I didn't do the same with the landscape shots.

A Willow bud opening

Willow buds, not yet opened.

A Willow bud open.

Another Willow open.

One bud open, the others to follow, maybe tomorrow!

The Gorse flower!

Dooks bog looking towards MacGillycuddy's Reeks.

A wet area at Dooks bog.

One of Dooks bog roads, as can be seen still very wet.

No turf to be cut here!

Towards the Reeks.

The Reeks again.

Dooks bog looking towards Slieve Mish Mountains.

Vinca, by the roadside"

Add caption

All photos Pentax K5 Pentax 28-200mm ISO 400

Inny Strand Waterville -19.02.2012

2012-02-19T22:27:00.000Z

Today we walked the dogs at lovely Inny Strand, a long stretched sandy beach near Waterville. Co. Kerry. Walking along this beautiful stretch of sand one has a magnificent view of Waterville, the Iveragh mountain chain and of course of the mighty Atlantic Ocean - sometimes calm and glittering in the sunshine and sometimes roaring and frightful. And most times you have the place nearly to yourself.

Algae in Inny river estuary

Backwater at Inny River estuary

Crows above Inny Strand

Dog on the beach

Algae and foam at Inny Strand

Gorse in bloom

Iveragh mountains over Inny estuary

Gorse burning season in the hills above Inny Strand

Inny Strand

Person on the banks of Inny River opening to the sea

Sun reflection on the beach

Wave lines in the sand

all pictures © Franz Schenk. Camera used Olympus E520 with Zuiko Digital 14-54 and 50 - 200

Loop Walk from Cooncrome Harbour

2012-02-18T22:03:00.000Z

Like Dave we used the bright and chilly day to walk the dogs. We choose a loop walk, commencing at Coonccrome Harbour, Over the Water, about 10 min drive from Caherciveen. The walk leads from the pier through coastal bog areas and woodland with excellent views of Dingle Bay, Valentia Harbour, Knocknadobar and surrounding Hills. Small streams and puddles display a plenty of animals and vegetation.
It was a good opportunity to try out a newly bought 14-54 mm Zuiko Digital glass on my Olympus E520.

Pebbles at Cooncrome Harbour

Steps at Cooncrome Harbour

Ruins (church?) in the woods of kimego, S of Canglass Point

Metal fixtures on the tower ruin

The Bell (?) tower

View of Killelan Mountain, near Doulus Head

Knocknadobar rises over the bog

Dingle Bay with tree skeletons remaining after forestry harvest

Frog spawn in a puddle next to the walk

Different type of spawn

Spawn and polliwogs

The proud parents

Must be cold in there

Logs

Lower Cromane Skies 18-02-2012

2012-02-18T17:30:00.003Z

On my dog walk today in Lower Cromane, County Kerry, the vivid blues within the sky caught my attention, so the following photos, are mainly intended to reflect the beauty of the skies on my morning walk, although as will be seen, a few featureless skies in some directions were also present. The morning was mainly bright and sunny, but the wind off the sea was actually bitter cold, and I was constantly warming my hands to hold the camera steady!

A view towards Glenbeigh and inch strand from Lower Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

A view towards Dingle and the Slieve Mish mountains, Co Kerry.

Zoomed in on the Slieve Mish mountains, from Lower Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

Sun on the Slieve Mish, from Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

Nice cloud formation over the Slieve Mish, from Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

MacGillycuddy Reeks, towards Glenbeigh, from Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

Zoomed in on Slieve Mish from Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

Slieve Mish in the sun, From Cromane point, Co Kerry.

A dramatic looking sky over Castlemain Harbour, Co Kerry.

Just the beauty of the sky! Photo from Cromane point, Co Kerry.

Clouds over Slieve Mish, from Cromane point, Co Kerry.

Slieve Mish again, Looking towards Dingle, from Cromane Point,Co Kerry.

Nice cloud formation, good for a backdrop use in Photoshop, from Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

This and the next photo are two more useful backdrop photos, from Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

A view towards Castlemain, from Cromane point, Co Kerry.

Tide out, Lower Cromane, Co Kerry.

Another nice cloud over Castlemain harbour, from Cromane Point, Co Kerry.

All photos Pentax K5 with Pentax 28-200mm at F11 ISO 80

Exhibition "Mountains and Hills" at Tech Amergin

2012-02-17T17:42:00.000Z

The pictures were taken in Southwest Kerry, mostly in the Valentia Island area but also on the Dingle peninsula and in the lake Caragh area between Caherciveen and Killorglin. The camera used was an Olympus E 520 with Zuiko Digital 14-42, 40-150 and 50-200 mm lenses. Most pictures were shown as part of the South Kerry Camera Club exhibition in February 2012 at the Tech Amergin Centre, Waterville, County Kerry.

Coomcallee mountain south of Cloonaghlin Lough, about 10 km Northeast of Waterville

Cloonaghlin Lough with surrounding hills

Clogharee Lough and Loch Atlea to the Northeast of Connor Hill, Dingle peninsula, County Kerry. View from the Connor Hill road.

View of the Mac Gillicuddy´s Reeks or Na Cruacha Dubha from the west shore of Lough Caragh, near Glenbeigh, County Kerry

Clouded peak of Cloonaghlin hill, rising from the east shore of Cloonaghlin Lough

Snow capped Knocknadobar or Cnoc na dTobar rises over Valentia lighthouse

Wintery Cnoc na dTobar and Iveragh mountains as seen from Kilkeaveragh, high above Port Magee.

Mist shrouded St. Michael rising from the sea as seen from the path leading to Croaghmore peak on the Great Blasket Island.

Dingle mountains with white hats, seen from Geokaun hill on Valentia Island, County Kerry.

Farraniaragh Mountain as seen from the Kerry Way leading from Waterville to Caherdaniel.

All photos by © Franz Schenk

Mountains ans Hills exhibition Tech Amergin, Waterville, Co.Kerry

2012-02-17T14:32:00.000Z

Cnoc na dTobair Kells bay Cahirsiveen, Co. kerry

Glenmore, Waterville, Co.Kerry

Sheedy Mountains behind St Finbar's Church, Gougane Barra, West Cork

Meeting at Tech Amergin, Waterville

2012-02-16T20:58:00.000Z

Members of the club at the workshop

The camera club met for a workshop how to upload photos and text to our blog. We did the editing and resizing of the photos in Lightroom 3. If anybody is interested in a photo editing course, Tech Amergin Waterville, County Kerry is running a class soon.

Mountains and Hills Exhibition

2012-02-16T12:47:00.000Z

Some of these photos, mostly black and white, are hanging in an exhibition right now in Tech Amergin, Waterville."Mountains and Hills" is the title of our South Kerry Camera Clubs recent exhibition, which was opened during Eigse na Brideoige in early February.This year´s theme of this annual festival, the twentieth by the way, was the Mountains and Hills of Iveragh, the life of the hill farmers, the possibilities for tourism and of course their breathtaking beauty.I hope other members of South Kerry Camera club will post their photos as well and we might get a collection together later.

Black Valley sheep farming

BlackValley, Old Farmhouse

Lough Accoose and Caher Mountain

Caragh Lake Morning

Macgillycuddy Reeks

View from Knock na dTobar with Beentee Mountain

Fossa, Morning Fog

Killarney Lake and Mountain Fog

Union Hall Trawler Support Fund

2012-02-01T11:40:00.000Z

Thank you very much to all the members of the South Kerry Camera Club for supporting the Union Hall Trawler Fund that was set up to support the families of those fisherman who died under tragic circumstances.

Panorama of the Inny, Waterville

2012-02-01T00:03:00.000Z

Inny river

Taken from the top of Aghatubrid looking down on the Inny Waterville.

Mountains in South Kerry - a start

2012-01-12T22:25:00.002Z

South Kerry Camera Clubs next exhibition is upon us and because I did not really take any new photos of Mountains I checked my "archive" and changed a few photos I took
in late November at Waterville Lake into black/white and gave them all a square format.
I don´t know is it exhibition material, if the weather wasn´t so ...awful I´d go out and take new mountain photos,
not as high up as Cnoc na d´Tobar though.

Michael went up Cnoc na dTobar on the one nice day in a while to get a few new photos maybe for the forthcoming exhibition in Tech Amergin in February. They are on his blog if you want to see them.

A Sunday trip to Gougan Barra, a very picturesque spot in west Cork

2012-01-04T18:08:00.004Z

Fantastic day out on Church Island with SK camea club

2012-01-04T17:38:00.000Z

St Finian´s Bay on New Year´s Day 2012

2012-01-02T14:07:00.000Z

It is a short and still lovely walk from the beach in St. Finian´s Bay, along the lower road to the pier and back.
The fast moving clouds provided a spectactular background and the swell of the sea was quite dramatic. The seagulls were all excited about something, probably their food churned up and tossed about by the waves and the wind.

New Year´s day in our garden

2012-01-02T13:54:00.000Z

Daffodils on New years´s Day

Robin, well fed

First geraniums in bloom

Spring seems to be on its way, the daffodils are out quite early, in fact they started showing their yellow heads after Christmas. I dont know is it a good sign, or is the climate change upon us...
they are still very much appeciated as a sign of new life in nature.

New Year in Port Magee

2012-01-01T18:19:00.000Z

The old year goes down

Flames in the night

Pipers on the march

The tired old year

A piper

Forty two years of growth.......

2011-12-31T21:18:00.000Z

Forestry set forty two years {I think} ago and now gone for the chop. We will miss the echo shouts and hidding between the trees. It was always a good place for our Easter egg hunt but now stands bare. Will we see the next growth ?????????????? Cloughane Caharn, aughatubrid.

My Winning photo

2011-12-24T12:22:00.001Z

This is my photo that was lucky enough to win the "Say Cheese Photographers" Facebook photo competition. The competition was decided by the photo that gets the greatest number of likes registered by viewers. A total of 116 entries from all areas of the globe, made up the competition, so I am so pleased that my photo was voted the best amoungst some fantastic photos. My thanks go to all of you that voted for my photo, and it is gratifying that the photo to win, came from a member of the "South Kerry Camera Club"

Cromane bay, early December 2011

Photo taken with a Pentax K10d 28-200mm

Winter Solstice in Eightercua, Waterville

2011-12-21T19:53:00.000Z

For the first time since we have been living here we went to see the sun go down on the shortest day in the year. The place to go to for sunset on Winter Solstice is Eightercua near Waterville. The ancient Stone row here leads towards the spot where the sun is setting, which I thought would be into the sea, but she rolled slowly down I think Hogshead, and a beautiful sight it was...
I feel spring coming already, the days will be getting longer anyway...
But before that A Happy Christmas to you all!!!

Merry Christmas everyone....

2011-12-18T17:41:00.001Z

Just a little peep.......

When Santa got stuck up the chimney
Merry Christmas to fellow photo club members, Hope Santa is good... Took this photo at Molly Galvins, Kenmare.

Winterlight over Inny Strand

2011-12-17T19:15:00.000Z

Pictures taken on a wintry morning on Inny Strand near Waterville
with Olympus E520,14-42 mm, most f/8

Happy Christmas - Paul (Christmas in Cork City)

2011-12-10T15:18:00.000Z

A photo walk on the shores of Waterville Lake

2011-11-28T14:28:00.001Z

Even on a dull day in late November there are lovely colours to be found along Waterville Lake. I was set to try taking photos of flowing water under one of the bridges but found a lot more interesting subjects along the winding road.
All the recent rain creates lovely little waterfalls from the mountains, it does not have to be a trip to torc waterfall to practise taking photos.
Also I was thinking of starting taking photos of mountains or pictures related to mountains for the forthcoming exhibition in February.

Lily Bay at Waterville Lake 1

Lily Bay at Waterville Lake 2

Lily Bay at Waterville Lake 3

road along waterville lake

who is the photographer in the bottom right corner

late autumn colours at waterville lake

Here are my first ever attempts to slow down flowing water with long shutterspeeds.
I would have thought to choose the shutterspeed priority setting, but Michael told me to just go for the highest possible number in aperture ( in aperture priority), which is the smallest aperture ( I always have to "translate" that for myself). As the day was quite dark I got quite long shutterspeed as a result.
And I admit without a tripod this would not have been possible.

More from Gougane Barra - Paul

2011-11-22T13:06:00.001Z

Gougan Barra

2011-11-20T23:28:00.000Z

Look close and you will see the coins thrown in the bottom of the lake.

Using Water colour effects

Five photos stitched together

Yet another wonderful day spent with the South Kerry camera club in Gougan Barra near Macroom Co. Cork. An overcast day but with very still water lovely reflections to be seen. Thanks to Michael and Claude for organising this event.

Impressions of Oilean an Teampaill and reflexions of Gougane Barra

2011-11-20T21:39:00.000Z

Church Island in Waterville Lake

2011-11-19T23:04:00.004Z

I would not have thought the day could turn this nice with sunshine and all for a photo workshop on Church Island in Lough Currane. After going through my photos in the evening I chose a "few" and maybe because we always look out on grey skies lately I was a bit overwhelmed by the colours and made them even more vivid in Lightroom. Well, it really looked or felt like that with a blue sky, a calm lake and all.
The first picture was more or less an experiment whether I could read the text in the photo later and I actually can in the right size and higher resolution, I should try and get one printed.
It is always great to have experts with you on a workshop, and this time it was not only Michael who told us the best settings on the camera and angles from which to shoot at certain times with the sun coming from a direction, but also Paddy Bush, whose talks about the history of the area, of Church Island, given with great knowledge and passion for the subject I always like to listen to.

church ruin

St. Finians cell

church ruin with gravestone

a protestant ministers gravestone erected by his fifth son

old cross slab to the left

gable of church on church island

head in stones around entrance to church

somebody left a cross here on the old altar stone

two swans facing each other

In the Lighthouse

2011-11-13T22:51:00.000Z

Enjoyed a great day out with the South Kerry Camera Club today! We went to the Valentia Lighthouse, a great opportunity to take detail photos of the "magic lamp" inside and the architecture of the lighthouse. There was a strong wind blowing outside but we could still take photos in some places. I loved the colours that were used painting the lighthouse inside and out...

Valentia Lighthouse

2011-11-13T19:04:00.000Z

Down the barrel

Exit to the lighthouse gallery

No wake when drinking in Alabama!

Valentia Lighthouse

Thanks to Richard we could visit another of Kerry´s most picturesque and impressive lighthouses at the entrance to Valentia Harbour.

Windy day at Culloo Rock, Valentia.

2011-10-31T13:20:00.000Z

Culloo Rock is one of many beautiful views in Valentia. On this particular day there were men fishing but I treaded with extreme caution as the waves came unexpected and fast and would frighten the life out of you. (Well me anyway). Used a 300mm telephoto lens and as I was hand holding for a quick escape used a shutter speed of 1/2600sec, therefore had to increase my ISO to 800 hence the noise. Any tips on how to improve these settings welcome....

Night at Killorglin Bridge

2011-10-23T13:38:00.001+01:00

Taking pictures in the night

Killorglan bridge

2011-10-21T19:12:00.000+01:00

Club night was spent in Killorglan bridge this week and weather held up nicely. There was a lovely light reflecting on the water. We could not leave without getting one of the great "Puck" himself. The night finished off with a lovely slide show from John Dowd showing us photo's and informing us of his most interesting climb up Mount Everest along with many more climbs in different parts of the world. The photos were both unique and awesome and a very big thank you to John for sharing them with us.

Fungi in the back garden

2011-10-13T23:37:00.000+01:00

This is a great time of year for Fungi, make sure to bring a bin bag to keep you dry while lying/kneeling on the grass.

More Photos from Ballinskelligs beach last Thursday - Paul

2011-10-13T16:58:00.002+01:00

Beauty in a flower.

2011-10-09T20:46:00.000+01:00

A dull an lifeless day, but lovely soft weather in the garden for macro shots. Getting the lighting right can be tricky, this is my favourite flower in the garden. Shot using a screw on macro with an 18-55 lens. Aperture priority F 25.

South Kerry Camera Club Photo Shoot 06/10/11

2011-10-07T11:35:00.002+01:00

The South Kerry camera club members met at Barbara's last evening to carry out another nigh time shoot during the Blue hour, and the moved on to taking photos of the old tower in complete darkness with just the light from Michael Herrmann's powerful torch. The following are a few of my efforts.

Club members braving the cold wind, photo looks bright, but don't let it fool you, it was pretty dark at this point!

The start of the blue hour, next seven photos!

Start of the torchlight illumination photos

All photos with Pentax K10d 28-200mm Aperture priority ISO range 100-400

Amarylis flower against a foggy window

2011-10-02T10:21:00.000+01:00

Olympus E 520, Zuiko Digital 14-42, A 1,5, flash

Worldwide Photowalk Ballinskelligs

2011-10-01T22:34:00.000+01:00

Here are some of the photos I took during this years´s worldwide photo walk in Ballinskelligs. With Michael´s macro lens I tried to capture nature´s tiny creatures along the road side. It is amazing what you can find there even on an overcast day and with all the summers glorious colours gone.

Another Face on the Rock

2011-09-29T21:24:00.000+01:00

I liked the photos that Franz posted last week and it reminded me that I have photographed some rocky faces myself. This fella with the long nose is situated on Skellig Michael, you can see it very well from the Christ Saddle. Have a look for it next time you go there.
Canon 5d, 200mm lens, f.5.6 1/400sec. Iso 100

Faces in the rock

2011-09-26T09:57:00.000+01:00

Rockformations giving the impression of faces on the North coast of Valentia Island.
Konica Minolta Dimage X31

Flowers in a Kerry garden

2011-09-10T17:00:00.002+01:00

Here are some flowers from my garden, Orchid from my kitchen, and Passion flower from Maderia

Deirdre Booth

We are now on flickr.com and Illaunlaughan, Portmagee

2011-09-02T22:03:00.000+01:00

Just click on this link here: skelligclub

Illaunlaughan is a very small island in the Channel between Portmagee and Valentia Island.
The name could have two meanings, Oileán an Lóchán, the Island of dry grass or broken seaweed, or Island of Lochán, a saint that could be associated with the island.
Archeological excavations between 1992 and 1995 revealed well- dated material which proved the existence of a small monastery between the 7th and 9th century and subsequent use of the island as a graveyard for the communities of Portmagee and Valentia Island..
During the mid 7th to mid 8th century period three domestic huts and a small oratory were built with posts and sod , cut blocks of grassy turf, for the walls; the roofs being thatch with local material. Possibly two shrines for relics were erected at that time.
Later the existing sod oratory was replaced by a small drystone structure, no more than 1.2mx 0.8m and in the 8th to 9th century again by a drystone oratory. Also a new gable shrine was erected to house the relics from earlier graves.

all photos Canon 5d, 17-40 and 50mm macro,
©Michael Herrmann 2011

Ballinskelligs World Wide Photo Walk 2011

2011-08-28T23:36:00.001+01:00

Please register now for the 2011walk on October 1.
you can use the link here

Bob Ellis - "House on Fire" photography project at Tech Amergin, Waterville

2011-08-19T16:54:00.000+01:00

Bob Ellis-American photographer

American phographer Bob Ellis presented his very interesting portrait photograph project at Teach Amergin wednesday last. The theme of the project was if your "House was on fire" and you had two minutes to run in and get something what would it be. Mobile phones seemed to be the most common object including hard drives as People and pets were ommitted.

All his portraits were taken with natural light and only two in this series was taken with digital. Very interesting night and Bob wishes to return to do a workshop in Teach Amergin so anyone interested should enquire about it.

Valentia Harbour, Knightstown

2011-08-13T23:57:00.002+01:00

Taken with cannon 450D using 50mm fixed lens an 70-300mm telephoto.

Valentia Island The Island of the oak forest. Valentia, one of the largest islands off the South West coast of Kerry, is joined to the mainland by bridge via the Portmagee Channel. The island is one of great beauty and contrast. The western part of the island is dominated by the barren, dramatic cliffs of Bray Head which command spectacular views of the Kerry coastline while the mild effect of the Gulf Stream results in Valentia's balmy climate and lush, colourful vegetation. The island's main village, Knightstown, associated with the Norman Fitzgerald family, is reminiscent of an Anglo-Irish Village with its many stately buildings and refined ambience. But the island's historical lineage goes back much further than that. Tetra pod footprints were found on the northern part of the island. These magnificent imprints of history are thought to date from Devonian times between some 350 to 370 million years ago. An important quarry on the northern part of the island which opened in 1816 still flourishes today. The famous Valentia Slate has been used in many prominent buildings including the British House of Commons in London.

Bob Ellis - "House on Fire" photography project at Tech Amergin, Waterville, August 17th, 7pm

2011-08-13T22:34:00.000+01:00

The artist will give a talk about the project and open the exhibition. If you are interested to be photographed and part of the project come along and meet Bob. Frankie Gavin and DeDannan concert later that night, sounds very promising.

Knightstown Raft Race 2011

2011-08-13T20:55:00.000+01:00

Waiting for the launch

On the way to the startline

Off they go

Outboard power

On the final furlong

We MADE it

Olympus E520, Digital lenses, Automatic A+F
All photos by © Franz Schenk

Rainy Harbour

2011-08-13T19:43:00.003+01:00

Valentia Harbour

Valentia Harbour, Knightstown at a soft evening
Olympus E520, Olympus Digital 40-150mm, F22 - all photos © Franz Schenk

Heron-Basking in the sun......

2011-08-03T14:55:00.000+01:00

I saw this Heron and at first thought it was a statue but then realised it was real and to me looked to be basking in the sun. Very unusual I thought.

Skellig Island

2011-07-23T18:57:00.000+01:00

Some pictures from a great day on Skellig Michael.

ST. Finans Bay

Portmagee

Deirdre Booth

Club Night Finians Bay and Portmagee - Paul

2011-07-19T15:43:00.000+01:00

Skellig Michael

2011-07-17T22:15:00.002+01:00

Also known as the Great Skellig, this is not so much an Island as an outcrop of rock, rising over 700ft above sea level, about 9 miles14.4km from the coast of Co. kerry, and with an early Christian Monastery perched on a ledge close to the top.
Its international importance is recognised and it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For over 600 years this remote and unlikely spot was an important centre of monastic life. A small cluster of six beehive huts and two boat shaped oratories remain, stark and silent now but an eloquent testimony to the austere life led by the monks whose home Skellig Michael once was.

The Puffins are one of the most numerous breeding sea birds and most popular with many visitors on Skellig Michael. In the early part of the Summer Months, Puffins can be seen in Large numbers all around the Islands. Many people come to Skelligs specially to See these little birds as they go about their annual breeding cycle. And believe me it is well worth the visit to see these birds in the flesh.

The distinctive beehive huts in which the monks lived are remarkable, not just because they are still standing and intact centuries later, but because of how they were constructed.

There is no mortar, they are entirely made of dry stones. While circular outside, the inside is rectangular, with a corbeled roof and shelves for storage built into the structure as well as larger platforms for sleeping on.

A wonderful day was spent on Skellig with some great company. Thanks to Michael Herrmann for organising this trip and to our dear Richard for the history of the Island. An experience never to be forgotten.

“… the most fantastic and impossible rock in the world … the thing does not belong to any world that you and I have lived and worked in; it is part of our dream world.“

These are the words of George Bernard Shaw on Skellig Michael and it is difficult to disagree

SK Camera Club meeting at St Finans Beach & Port Magee

2011-07-17T16:26:00.000+01:00

The club members assembled at St Finans beach to photograph the surf, before moving on to Port Magee to

catch reflections in the still waters of the port.

The Skelligs watching over us where ever we go!!

The members attending on Thursday evening 14-07-11

Photos Pentax K10d with 18-55 & 55-300mm lenses.

Valentia Lighthouse gets a make over.

2011-07-13T00:23:00.000+01:00

Cave on Dolus Head

Panorama stitching Rehill lake, Canburn.

2011-07-10T19:35:00.001+01:00

Took a walk up the hill/mountain up the back of my house to find a stunning view. This is Rehill lake I was looking down on. The other side was inny, Ballinskelligs and much more.

So many views on our door step.

More from Paris -Paul

2011-07-05T12:44:00.001+01:00

Bray Mega - Cliffs, Valentia Island, County Kerry

2011-07-04T13:33:00.000+01:00

Did you notice the photographer?

Portmagee Harbour with the new anker at night

Our last outing brought us over to Valentia Island and the region North of Bray Head was the target.

In his book "Man and Environment on Valencia Island" the author Frank Mitchell calls it the Mega Cliff. The cliff is rising to a height of 275m and stretches a mile down on the Northside of Valentia. On the way to the cliffs you are passing a big peat ground before arriving at a very rocky landscape close to the sea. To the right is a place called Beenaniller Head, the last home to the sea eagle in Ireland. Several ancient walls and ruins of buildings and settlements can be found in the area. This whole area is a heaven for any landscape photographer and one of the most exciting places in Kerry due to its vast variety of different scenes.

Frank Mitchell´s book can be ordered here: Frank Mitchell - Man&Eivironment in Valencia Island

After a relexed meeting in the Bridge Bar, I took the last photo of the newly arrived anker in Portmagee Harbour.

All photos with Canon 5dII and 17.40mm lens, tripod.100 ISO

Paris Valentia Island

2011-07-02T22:04:00.000+01:00

Drive or walk to Paris (Valentia) that is and practice your golf swing in a vast open area or enjoy the wonderful view over the cliffs but caution must be taken. Paris is a hidden treasure in the Island and can be found past the road to Bray head.

Club night- July 14th.

2011-07-01T23:34:00.002+01:00

Hi eveyone,

Next meet for the Southkerry camera club is at Glen beach.

Time: 7pm.
Date: Thursday July 14th.

We hope to go onto Portmagee after for some reflection shots on the water.

Also in the mean time start shooting local landscapes for exhibition which will be displayed end of July.

Always on the look out for new members so anyone with an interest is more than welcome, beginers or advanced. Our nights generally have history as well as knowledge of photography from professional Photographer Michael Herrmann. So want to get out in the fresh air , and capture a shot to be proud of than this maybe the club for you.

Remember: Empty memory card, Camera, Tripod, good boots, coat and midge spray may be required.

Photos of Paris shoot

2011-07-01T17:28:00.000+01:00

Most of these photos were taken with my 2 x converter ND8 & polariser, to achieve long exposures.

Pentax K10d

900mm

900mm again

Evening in Paris

2011-07-01T15:26:00.007+01:00

A great evening was had in Paris, Valentia, Co. Kerry

Deirdre Booth

Bog-Cotton

2011-06-29T21:48:00.001+01:00

In early summer the sight of bog-cotton blowing in the breeze is one of the most attractive sights on the bog.

The cotton itself is attached to a seed and is a dispersal mechanism which ensures the spread of the species. The most common species of bog cotton is the many-flowered bog cotton (Eriophorum angustifolium) which is especially conspicuous in areas which have been recently cut for peat.

These photo's were taken at 10pm and I was attacked by midgets and jumping frogs at my feet so my tripod didn't get up and my patience lasted all of five minutes so must return in better conditions before the bog cotton goes. Should have gone for a closed aperture rather than F.8. ISO bumped to 400 hence some grain. God loves a trier.

Improved version

Open Aperture

2011-06-29T12:48:00.000+01:00

Our garden here in Kerry is full of interesting plants at the moment, always a reason to go out and inspect and to practice a bit with the camera. Even on a nice sunny day, living close to the sea means a bit of a breeze.

If you want to show your flowers or foilage clear without any movement you need a fast shutterspeed of a 1/250 of a second or even faster. I wanted to stick to my low ISO 100 too, for image quality reasons.

I decided to keep my aperture wide open, in my case to the fully 2.8. This means a very limited depth of field, usually only a couple millimeter. The blurry background or bokeh seperates the main subject from its surrounding and creates interesting light effects. You need to practise a bit but I´m sure its a lot of fun when you see the images on your computer. Give it a try.

All photos Canon 5d, Sigma macro lens 50mm, 2.8, Aperture priority, f 2.8

all photos: Michael Herrmann

Churches: Foilmore Co. Kerry - Cahersiveen Co. Kerry

2011-06-25T15:50:00.000+01:00

O'Connell Church Cahersiven

Front door O'connell Church

Immaculate Conception Church Foilmore

Immaclate Conception Church Foilmore

Immaclate Conception Church Foilmore

Deirdre Booth

Opening of Churches of Kerry Exhibition

2011-06-21T00:33:00.000+01:00

Martin Hayes and Pauline Bewick

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill performing in Tech Amergin

The opening night of our second exhibition in Tech Amergin, Waterville was a special event for the club. Journalist Frank Lewis from Killarney opened the exhibition with a very detailed speech about the photos and the group and individual photographers. He encouraged us to continue on the project. The opening was followed by a concert with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, two magical musician. I had the pleasure to talk to them and explain the exhibition, Cahill is a keen photographer himself. It was a nice moment when our great Pauline Bewick met Martin Hayes and thanked him for the fantastic night we all had.
Thanks again to Frank Lewis and Susan and Angela from Tech Amergin and well done to all club members.

Camera Club meeting- June 16th

2011-06-10T22:22:00.001+01:00

The photos are now hanging in Teach Amergin for the exhibition on churchs which will open Sunday 19th with a guest speaker.
For our club night on the 16th we will meet 7pm at Teach Amergin, Admire and label the exhibition before finding a local spot to shoot, so camera charged, tripod and energy required. Young and Old welcome.

Derrynane gardens and beach Co.Kerry

2011-06-08T21:10:00.001+01:00

We had a great evening at Derrynane Gardens 2nd June.

The Carriage picture was take during a previous visit

Deirdre Booth

Derrynane Abbey and Garden's

2011-06-06T23:12:00.001+01:00

This site is also known as Ahamore Abbey. It is situated on Abbey Island in Derrynane Bay. The island can be reached across the beach at low tide. The abbey was founded by St Finian around the 8th century. The remains consist of a church and two attached buildings. The east wall of the church is supported by later buttressing and contains three fine lancet windows. It is only a few metres from the sea. Within the church there are many graves including that of Mary O'Connell, the wife of Daniel. The other buildings are very ruined and contain little of interest.

June is one of the busiest months in the natural world calendar. Growth is everywhere; plants, flowers, trees, animals, birds and underwater. Profusions of wild flower colour greet us along every roadside, in every field, throughout woodlands and along the shore line. The tree canopy is filled and light previously filtered through winter's bare branches no longer caresses the ground. There is lots to see and hear. derrynane.ie/wilddiary/

Club night at Derrynane

2011-06-06T00:22:00.000+01:00

A lovely night at Derrynane gardens and the Abbey, with an enjoyable pint at the Blind Piper afterwards. Company great as always. Had three newcommers tonight, Michael, Doreen and Claire. Hope ye enjoyed your night and that you will be back again.

Next camera club meeting

2011-05-24T23:35:00.000+01:00

Gothic Revival summer house (pre-1842) built by Daniel O’Connell

Some of the Fairy houses hidden in the gardens

We are meeting at the carpark by Derrynane Gardens June 2nd for our next camera club night. Bring tripod and a charged up camera, rain coat and lots of spirit. Everyone welcome, look forward to meeting you all there.

Derrynane House and Gardens, part of the Derrynane National Park.

Daniel O'Connell
(1775-1847)
The ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell, Derrynane House is a public museum commemorating one of Ireland's leading historical figures and arguably the greatest ever Irishman, known by the nation as the Great Liberator.

Barrister, early civil rights activist, politician and statesmen, Daniel O'Connell was a huge figure amid the upheavals of the early 19th Century in Ireland . O'Connell was born in a humble cottage to a Catholic family in nearby Caherciveen but came to live at Derrynane House with his uncle from an early age. His uncle "Hunting Cap" O'Connell had grown rich through smuggling with France and Spain and when he died childless in 1825 the Derrynane estate was left to Daniel O'Connell whose descendants went on to live at Derrynane until 1958.

The house has a museum and a café. The sub-tropical gardens are wonderful and take advantage of the mild climate influenced by the Gulf Stream.Plantation and garden walks were laid out by the O’Connells in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, principally north and west of the house . The old Gothic Revival summer house (Pic:3) in the gardens is directly associated with Daniel O’Connell, who built it as his solitary study .

Dungeagan-Ballinskelligs.

2011-05-22T23:13:00.000+01:00

This little beach found on the narrow road leaving Dungeagan heading to Waterville.

Name unknown to me. It is a nice quiet location found at the end of a cul de sac.

Cannon 450D.

Photowalk Skellig Michael, May 29

2011-05-15T22:28:00.000+01:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More world heritage

I´m guiding a photowalk to the monastery of Skellig Michael on May 29 as part of the Ballinskelligs 2011 "Skellig Festival" . We are meeting 9 am at the pier in Ballinskelligs.
Bring your camera, battery charged and empty memory cards with you to visit on of the most outstanding places in the world. Weather clothing, a walking stick, and lunch is recommended.
please book your place at 0876606586

St.John the Baptist Church Knightstown-Valentia.

2011-05-14T11:46:00.000+01:00

S.speed 1/49sec -2EV, F.9, ISO 100, Focal length 14mm.

Stained glass windows, St John, Valentia Island

2011-05-13T18:35:00.000+01:00

19th century stained glass windows of St. John the Baptist, Knightstown, Valentia Island. Olympus E520, Olympus Digital 14-42mm, Photoshop 8.
All photos by © Franz Schenk

rain cleared!!!! Bluebells at Carhan 7/5/2011

2011-05-09T17:30:00.000+01:00

taken by Denis Kavanagh

Deirdre's birthday Kells 7/5/2011

2011-05-09T17:08:00.000+01:00

photo club rained out in kells 7/5/2011

2011-05-09T16:58:00.000+01:00

taken on 7/5/2011 Denis Kavanagh with canon 450d

Rain, rain at Kell's garden's

2011-05-07T15:40:00.000+01:00

Alway's watch out for obstructing object's such as ths plant.

Went to Kells Garden's full of enthusiasim but the rain was not on our side so only camera really used was a Fuji finepix, Photo's by 6yr old Brian Sullivan who was really eager to shoot something on his first field trip. We celebrated Deirdre's birthday and had a lovely chat indoors. The hospitality we received from Geraldine was so welcomming we will definitely be back, hopefully before the bluebells go.

Stained glass window, St. Finian's Church, Waterville.

2011-05-05T23:35:00.000+01:00

Cannon 450D, ISO 100, F.4, S.speed 1/400sec, focal length 21mm.

Daisy's in Kerry- Weeds??

2011-04-27T17:52:00.000+01:00

Canon EOS 450D. F/8, 1/80sec, ISO 100

2011-04-27T12:39:00.000+01:00

Hello,

Anyone that is intersted in seeing Kells Gardens we will meet inside at the car park at 11.00 am on Saturday 7th May. Hope to see most of you there.

Deirdre.

Panorama Puffin Island The Glen

2011-04-23T14:57:00.000+01:00

I am enjoying this. Here is another one

Deirdre Booth

through a telescope

2011-04-23T14:14:00.000+01:00

Deirdre Booth

Panoramic pics.

2011-04-22T14:44:00.000+01:00

.
My first Panoramic pics.

Deirdre Booth

Panorama stitching in Photoshop Elements

2011-04-22T14:20:00.000+01:00

Panorama merge video tutorial

Here is a video how to do the panorama stitching in Photoshop Elements.

Happy stitching, Michael