Cork Christmas Lights

I joined the Cobh Camera Club a few months back so I could get out and about with my camera more and hopefully meet some new people and make some friends. I’ve not been able to make many of the walkabouts they have had organised up until now but thankfully I got out with them tonight to go and photograph the city centre lights.

Ok, I have to admit I was slightly underwhelmed by the lights on Patrick St. I was expecting a lot more than was there and certain sections just seemed so bare! I know the park have great Christmas lights but it wasn’t open and they weren’t switched on either (maybe saving the euros!). Brown Thomas have a very impressive window display, well worth checking out if you are in town.

I spent about an hour and a half in and around Patrick St and some of the side streets off it. Happy with the pictures I got. Never done night time pictures with a group before so it was a good experience!

2011
11/30
CATEGORY
Cork
Personal
Photography
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River Lee, UCC & Lewis Glucksman Gallery

Taken on a beautiful Sunday afternoon just before Autumn and Winter truly took hold here in Cork. So far a considerably mild winter in comparison to last year…but maybe that’s just because I’m further south!? :) Either way I am NOT complaining!

I first visited UCC when I came down here in May for my job interview and just thought it was one of the most beautiful colleges I’d seen. So, finally, several months later I finally made it back with my camera to take some photos. I took pictures naturally of the main building but I ended up spending most of my time taking pictures of the river, the Lewis Glucksman gallery (unfortunately it had a lot of scaffolding around it) and in and around the steps where lots of leaves were falling. These are some of the chosen few!

2011
11/30
CATEGORY
Cork
Personal
Photography
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Shandon Spire, Cork City

Probably one of the most recognisable landmarks in Cork, the Shandon Spire. Taken from the top of Patrick’s Hill (bit of a steep climb!). I bought some new Lightroom presets yesterday so have just been trying them out and using different colour treatments on my photos to make them look a bit more dramatic!

2011
09/25
CATEGORY
Cork
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Culture Night in Cork City

So, I am now living in Cork 3 months and only lifted my camera last night to use it for the first time (well I was at a camera club meeting in Cobh a few days before but that doesn’t count!). Hang my head in shame but I’ve been so busy getting settled in that the camera had to take a bit of a back seat.

Last night was Culture Night across many towns and cities in Ireland. “Perhaps as a nation we are financially strained, but we will never be culturally bankrupt. Not even close.” commented The Irish Independent this morning and I would have to agree whole heartedly. I only managed to attend one event in Cork last night, due to the awful drizzle that descended the moment I stepped out of the car and took my camera out, and that was too The English Market. The market usually closes at 6pm everyday but last night it stayed open until 9pm so it was my first time seeing it in the dark, with its fairy lights om, wrapped up customers and free flowing wine and drink. I go to the market every weekend if I can, either to buy some food or just sit in the Farmgate Cafe with a coffee and a slice of cake, watch the world go by or catch up with my Donegal peeps on the phone. I love it there! Its a very special asset for the city to have and so full of culture, character, sights and smells. Last night around every corner there was music, laughter and fun. Families out for the night, couples talking, holding hands and stall holders buttering up the tourists.

I will endeavor to be more proactive in documenting my time here in Cork – however long that may be for! Here’s some of the photos from last night. Enjoy!

2011
09/24
CATEGORY
Cork
Social Documentary
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Hi-ho hi-ho its off to Cork I go!

Photo © Lonely Planet

Its been a bit of a crazy month for me here…I’ve landed myself a new job with a magazine in Cork working as a graphic designer with some freelance photography work as well! I’ve kept it all pretty much under wraps until last week as there was so much to sort out and to confirm before I was 100% happy to announce it. Have had lots of well wishers and support so that’s been fantastic.

So what does this mean for LetsPose Photography then? Well first of all to all my previous customers; all your photos are safe. I will have my hard drive with me in Cork so if anyone is in any need of anything then I can let you access a private web link for viewings. So say there was a print you wanted but couldn’t remember which one then I can let you have a look from the internet. To anyone who has vouchers (I know there is one of you out there!) – I will be home several weekends between now and Christmas so you can book me for those dates. There is no panic though with when you need to use the vouchers…any date I have on as a expiry does not apply now. And to anyone who was considering having photos taken, again I will be available on some dates between now and Christmas so just ask and we’ll see what we can do.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that had photos taken, bought vouchers, made enquiries, to the commercial clients who gave me lots of work and experience, and the magazines who took me on and gave me invaluable experience. With the times that are in it you kept me going! I am sssooooo sorry to be leaving this work behind as I loved it but economics always come in to play and if the country were in a better state then my wee venture may of had more success.

So its bon voyage for now!

Mari xxx

2011
06/27
CATEGORY
Personal
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The BIG Three Ooohhhh

So I turned 30 a few weeks ago! Have to say the thought of it never phased me for one moment. I’d been saying for months building up to it how much I was looking forward to it and to my new decade! Hey we are all on the same path at the end of the day and it comes to us all so why stress about it! So to mark the occasion I asked my very good friend, Denise Leacock, to come to Culdaff and to take some portraits of me. I had been thinking about doing this for a while as a treat for myself for many personal reasons. I’m hoping to make myself a little Blurb book to have them all in as well as getting my favourite printed and hung in a special frame. So, 50 years from now, I’ll probably be sitting in a wee chair somewhere and take out the book and look back on it all with so much fondness…that cold day in March 2011 when me and my dear friend Denise spent the day laughing, talking about serious stuff and talking crap and just doing what we both loved for an afternoon…taking pictures. Thank you Denise for the special memories xxx

Hair by Vixen, Carndonagh : Make-Up by Me : Styling by Me : Photography by Denise Leacock : Special thanks to George Mills at Culdaff House

2011
03/09
CATEGORY
Donegal
Personal
Photography
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Bloody Sunday March

This was my first ever time being at the Bloody Sunday March in Derry and will probably be my last, if by all accounts are correct, yesterdays march will be the last one ever held. It was also my first time being a press photographer which was an eye opener and a great experience. I walked the whole march which started at the Creggan shops and worked its way down to the Guildhall Square where speeches were made. I got in to step with a few local photographers, who work for the Derry Journal, who were a big help to me and got to pick their brains on a few subjects from photographer etiquette to equipment! One photographer was generous enough to let me use his 80mm-200mm f2.8 lens while we stood on the fly-over above the Bogside so I could try it out…so thank you Stephen! I used my Sigma 24mm-70mm f2.8 lens and to be honest it showed its true colours yesterday under pressure…it was a big disappointment. Normally I have only used it for portraits and commercial shoots where its been good but on the move, having to be quick and responsive it let me down. It even jammed a few times on me. I have been putting off the inevitable heartache of forking out €1,300 for a Nikkor 24mm-70mm f2.8 but if I am to do more documentary photography (which will be happening) then I will need to bite the bullet at some point and get it! Paired with the D700 or a second hand D3 would be an ideal set up…so I may start saving!

2011
01/31
CATEGORY
Social Documentary
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Urris, Inishowen, Co. Donegal

The wilds of Inishowen! This has been edited in Photoshop to give it more drama.
2011
01/28
CATEGORY
Donegal
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Fun in the Snow

Donegal has had its worst snow fall in nearly 25 years in the past few days. Naturally the whole place comes to a stand still so there’s no other option but to get the wellies on enjoy the snow! Forgot my tripod for the day (duh) so had to depend on a wall near a field to do the job for me so I could get some fun self portraits. Snow does truly transform the local landscape…the light is wonderful and everything is so still and quiet. Its here for the next few days at least so must make the most of it and take a few more snaps!

2010
12/18
CATEGORY
Donegal
Personal
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Weekly Favourite


A photograph from a series called “The Top Hat Diaries” that I found on Flickr last week.

Was doing some research for a shoot I did with some local girls who have produced a calendar for a local charity called iCare…so if you see it in the shops buy a copy! Its for a good cause :)

The notice for the shoot was quite short and the girls had all their own ideas but if I’d of had my way I would of got them out doing this! I just loved this photograph…typical photographer getting carried away instead of looking for indoor photos I could use as inspiration. Maybe the next batch of girls OR boys willing to do a calendar might try this…I can only dream! :)

2010
12/14
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
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