March 2008

Three days of dank grey weather the kind that drives a photographer to despair. Internally I am frustrated whilst externally the local bar is sick of the site of me. However as my mammy use to say “good things come to those who wait”.

Day four arrives and I am looking out the window of my hotel room at 5a.m. Stars twinkle between broken clouds. I ‘m thinking’hope at last!’, while my wife thinks I’m crazy.
Five minutes later and I am scurrying past the night porter. Yep they do think it’s strange to see an Irish man up at this time.

My destination is Mullaghmore Co Sligo. The location is a place I had sworn I would return to after spying it months earlier. By 5.30a.m I’m descending a somewhat precarious cliff face via torch light to a bed of rock where the surf is breaking.

seascape

With dawn yet to break long exposures were the order of the day. Blurred water with seascapes may be clichéd but I am a sucker for them.

Framing my image with the dark rock face to the left, the first exposures are made.The image you see is the result of 13 second exposure. The effect of the lengthy exposure on the water adds contrast and drama to the scene. The effect is easy to recreate. So, the next time you are up before sun-up go ahead and give it a try.

Well that’s it for this month. I have the small matter of an exhibition to prepare for….