Peter Cox Photography

Rainbow, Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal

2010-09-02 16:09:49

Rainbows are something we have no lack of in Ireland. I was photographing at Glencolmcille Head and was treated to fantastic light in between heavy squalls of rain. One such had just passed over me and I was able to catch this image of one of the strongest rainbows I've yet seen.

All rainbows are double rainbows, but they have to be very strong to be visible to the naked eye. Here you can clearly see the secondary arc against the thundery sky beyond.

August 2010 Workshop Images

2010-09-02 11:00:35

A couple of weeks ago, I returned from my first ten-day workshop of the year. We had a great group of participants this time around and the weather was as good as you could hope for. Everyone got along very well indeed and all came away with great images, wonderful memories and improved photographic skills - the main goals of any workshop I run. I've included a small gallery of images showing me and the participants hard at work (or not, as the case may be!). Click on any image to see a larger version. To read more about these workshops, head on over to the Ireland photo workshops page.

**What we get up to.** Click on any image to see a larger version.

Thanks to all those participants who allowed me to use their images for this album!

Here are the testimonials from the trip: "Thank you again for a great workshop. It was the best I have ever attended and I appreciated your approach to life in general, let alone your photographic and teaching skills. I learnt a great deal and loved the scenery. I would have no hesitation in recommending your workshops to other photographers, and hopefully will get the chance to do another myself some day." -- David Gee, Australia "I had a fantastic time. Sitting here less than a week later back at work it feels like some sort of vague dream already. The locations for shooting were incredible and the large number of locations you got us to in 10 days was also very impressive. You are a very good instructor. Those of us who do this for a living recognize that the axiom "Those who can't, teach" is pure bullshit and they've never tried teaching. I've met many amazing professionals in a variety of fields who couldn't articulate worth a damn to another person how it is they do what they do --even when that is why I was paying to see them try. You show very disciplined patience when necessary, but also are very good at utilizing your sense of humor to make everyone have a good time. Your depth and breadth of knowledge is commendable. Not only are you able to answer questions, but also give a deep understanding behind the answer if necessary. You made yourself amazingly accessible. I didn't anticipate that you would be with us at every meal and so open to discussing photgraphy during every breathing moment you were awake. That level of accessibility is not something I was expecting." -- Scott McGlynn, USA "I can't thank you enough, Peter, for making this workshop such a memorable experience. You gave us magical locations, great food and fun, and most of all your ability to provide useful and positive learning opportunities at all skill levels. You truly are a teacher and photographer with a "high dynamic range!" I'm already recommending your workshops to my friends. -- Gail Bingham, USA "What can I say? Brilliant locations, food, accommodation, teaching and non-stop laughs. And you got me on the plane with my tripod!" -- Val Graham, UK "As the only genuine old-timer in your group I found the course to be tough but very rewarding. You took us to some beautiful parts of Ireland that but for this course we might never have seen. Each day you took trouble to spend time with each of us to explain everything from the absolutely simple to the highly technical about landscape photography. Above all, through your leadership, you merged us into a team who enjoyed each others company and at the same time greatly improved our photographic skills. The organisation, food and accommodation were all first class Many thanks for a great ten days. Long may you reign in elite photographic circles." -- Robert Moran, Australia Also, here's a short time lapse film of one of our sunrise shoots.

Sunrise Shoot, Glengarriff, Co. Cork from Peter Cox on Vimeo.

Glencolmcille Head, Co. Donegal

2010-09-02 09:40:32

Glencolmcille Head is certainly one of Ireland's most spectacular headlands. While in the area on an Irish course in August 2010, I was blessed with excellent light for most of the trip, giving ample opportunity to photograph the head in its various moods.

Of the images made, this is one of my favourites. More so than most images, this one really benefits from a large print as there is plenty of exquisite fine detail to be seen in the distant cliffs.

Sunrise, Fanad Head Lighthouse, Co. Donegal

2010-08-31 13:10:37

Fanad Head is one of the iconic Irish lighthouses. Located on the peninsula of the same name, its immediate neighbour to the East is Inishowen, home of Ireland's most northerly point.

Dunaff Head on Inishowen is visible as the prominent headland across Lough Swilly in this image.

Made at dawn from the classic overlook, this image shows off the dramatic and exposed siting of this lighthouse.

Sunset and Cliffs, Dún Bhaloir, Toraigh, Co. Donegal

2010-08-30 13:09:11

Dún Bhaloir (Balor's Fort) is an iron-age promontory fort on the rugged eastern end of Tory Island, several miles off the coast of Donegal.

Made at sunset while standing over a 100m drop, the last rays of the sun bathe the cliffs with a warm glow.

Article Published in Amateur Photographer Magazine

2010-08-29 10:11:01

My article on Time Lapse Photography was published in this week's Amateur Photographer magazine (dated Saturday, August 28, 2010). Be sure and pick up your copy! In the article, I go through the basics of time lapse technique, showing you how to make the best from your own camera.

Early Morning, Brittas Bay & Mizen Head, Co. Wicklow

2010-08-05 14:07:24

A quiet cove at the southern tip of Brittas Bay, with Mizen Head in the background. In a large print, the offshore windfarm can be made out on the horizon.

New Circle of Confusion Episode

2010-07-28 17:45:56

Episode 3 of the podcast on the business of photography that I host with Roger Overall is now live. Have a listen over on the Circle of Confusion website, and be sure to leave a comment!

Golf Course Photography

2010-07-23 14:41:52

I've been quietly working on a new arm of my business, which is photographing golf courses. To that end, I've created a new site - Irish Golf Course Photography. The idea is to combine superior technical image quality (using my 39 megapixel medium format system) with my artistic eye to create images of Irish golf courses that evoke a real emotional response from the viewer - to make them more likely to visit my clients' courses than anyone else. If you're a member or staff at a golf course, and would like to improve its image and attract more visitors/members - then head on over to the new site and have a look - then give me a call.

Watchtower & Rocks, Mizen Peninsula, Co. Cork

2010-07-09 15:11:36

A ruined coastal watchtower keeps vigil on the rocky coastline of the Mizen peninsula in this infra red image.

Poll Gorm, Inis Meáin, Aran Islands, Co. Galway

2010-07-07 14:31:01

Made about half an hour after sunset, at Poll Gorm (Blue Hole) on Inis Meáin (Inishmaan).

This is the highest cliff on the island, reaching almost 50 meters above the sea. The long exposure (30 seconds) belies the roughness of the water - there were five meter swells crashing along the cliffs, sending spray up above the clifftops.

In this image, the motion has been smoothed out replacing it with tranquility.

Sunset Over Inis Mór from Poll an tSéideáin, Inis Meáin, Co. Galway

2010-07-06 18:36:41

Another image from Poll an tSéideáin (Hole of the Blowing Spray) on Inis Meáin (Inishmaan) on the Aran Islands.

This was made on evening with a slightly less energetic sea than the first image I posted, but there is still significant spray being generated by the swell. One of the 30 meter cliffs just north of my camera position is totally enshrouded in one such wave.

Inis Mór (Inishmore) is visible on the horizon to the left of frame, under the setting sun.

Poll an tSéideáin, Inis Meáin, Co. Galway

2010-07-05 09:28:12

Inis Meáin (Inishmaan) is the middle of the three Aran Islands which are strung across the mouth of Galway Bay.

This image was made at Poll an tSéideáin (Hole of the Blowing Spray) on the island's west coast. Oileán na Tuí (Straw Island) is visible on the horizon to the left of frame.

Poll an tSéideáin is so named because there is long but shallow cave at sea level that causes the sea to react dramatically in a swell, sending up massive curtains of spray. On this particular evening there was a five meter swell running with a fresh wind, resulting in some truly impressive seas.

The cliffs here are about 30 meters high at this point yet the spray from the incoming waves are easily reaching their tops.

The Circle of Confusion, Episode 2

2010-06-30 12:14:27

The second episode of the photography business podcast that I co-host with Roger Overall is now live over on the Circle of Confusion site. In this episode, we interview award-winning Irish wedding photographer Paul Callaghan and discuss how personal projects can lead to increased business. Check it out!

A Summer's Evening, the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, Co. Cork

2010-06-25 10:50:30

This image has to be seen large or in a print to be fully appreciated. Click here to see a higher resolution version. Bear in mind, no watermarks appear in either purchased prints or licensed images.

The finest lighthouse on the Irish coast, the Fastnet stands proud on an unusually calm fine Summer's evening.

A granite tower constructed of interlocking blocks, it's a virtual monolith which presents itself like the bow of a ship to the incoming Atlantic swells, dissipating their energy before they reach peak force.

So effective is the design and construction that it has survived the worst the Atlantic can throw at it for over a century with nary a scratch. In 1985, it was struck by a 48m rogue wave (the same height as the focal plane of the lantern). This stove in the glass of the lantern room and overturned the vat of mercury on which the lantern turns, but the structure took no other damage.

New Qualification, Awards

2010-06-24 11:57:31

Its been a whirlwind couple of days. I was at the second quarterly IPPA judging this year on Monday where I received 2 diamond, 4 gold and 3 silver crests. As if that wasn't good enough, I also got word this weekend that my submission to obtain my QEP (Qualified European Photographer) was successful - so I can now put three more letters after my name. This year's judging saw only 35% of submissions making the grade, and I was the only successful Irish applicant. This makes me one of only 19 QEP photographers in Ireland, and one of just 2 in the Landscape discipline. Click on the small image below to see a larger version of my panel: Below you'll find my award winners from the IPPA. First, the diamonds: 1 - Erupting, Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, Iceland 2 - Angry Gannet, Bull Rock, Co. Cork Now the golds: 1 - Sunset, The Verdon Gorge, France 2 - Gannet in Flight, Bull Rock, Co. Cork 3 - Mère Eglise, le Gigon, Dévoluy Valley, Hautes-Alpes, France 4 - Illauncreeveen, Glengarriff, Co. Cork And finally, the silvers: 1 - Dursey Island, the Cow & the Calf, Co. Cork 2 - View to the Skelligs, Bull Rock, Co. Cork 3 - Gannets in Flight, Bull Rock, Co. Cork I feel honoured to have my work be judged so highly. Here's hoping I can keep the standard up for the rest of the year.

New Workshop Video

2010-06-11 22:29:53

I recently had a film crew come down and record what happens on my workshops. They also interviewed me on what I love about photography and teaching. I just received the final cut of this film and am delighted to share it with you here.

Be sure and view it in HD (the little button that says '360p' at the bottom right - change that to '720p') if you have the bandwidth.

Related to this, my friend and colleague Roger Overall paid a visit on the same workshop and took some fantastic images of the workshop in progress.

New Article/Photo Essay

2010-06-10 12:22:39

I've just published an article/photo essay on my recent trip to the Bull Rock off the coast of Cork. You can read it here. As always, your comments are welcome,

Winner at the PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris

2010-06-10 09:58:54

I was delighted to discover this morning that my image Dún Briste, Downpatrick Head, Co. Mayo won third place in the Nature category at the highly respected Prix de la Photographie Paris competition. Not only that, but it also received an Honourable Mention in the Fine Art/Landscape category.

Last year I received an honorable mention for my image Waiting for the Spring. Next year, it's time to win a category!

The PX3 competition is one of Europe's most highly respected photography awards, juried by many of the premier names in photography globally - including the curator of photography at the Library of Congress and the picture editor for Time Magazine. It's definitely an honour to place in such a competition, let alone two years in a row.

Inspired by Iceland

2010-06-07 01:08:38

As most of you I'm sure are aware, I have a special place in my heart for Iceland. It's a great country with stunningly beautiful landscape and a fantastic people. I was approached by the Icelandic tourist board to see if I would support their new 'Inspired by Iceland' initiative. I think it's an excellent cause - Iceland is a relative unknown to many people, so anything that puts the word out about how great a place it is to visit is good. You can visit their website and see some cool videos as well as stories from other travelers. My own can be found here.