Long Exposure

The constellation of the Plough hangs above the mountains of Allihies on the Beara Peninsula in this image, made under moonlight.

This image was made at Newfoundland Bay on Killarney's Upper Lake. Looking back east to Torc Mountain with the glow from Killarney on the horizon, the Plough (or Big Dipper if you're from the other side of the Atlantic) hangs in the sky overhead like a question mark.

Coumeenole Beach (sometimes also spelled 'Coumeenoole') is one of the most spectacular beaches in Ireland. Scenes from the film Ryan's Daughter were filmed here, and it's a popular spot for surfers.
This image is made looking towards Dunmore Head and the Great Blasket Island as the tide was coming in one stormy morning in late spring.

A night view of the Gap of Dunloe, illuminated by moonlight. Snow sits on the mountains as the winter weather of 2010 retreats at last

A section of the Kerry Way leading up to the Lack Road near Lough Acoose.

This image was made on a fine October's evening. It is looking east over Lough Eighter in the Coomloughra valley in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks. The peaks of Caher, Carrauntoohil and Beenkeragh, three of the tallest mountains in ireland, dot the ridge which towers over this high valley.

Made on my second visit to the north Antrim coast in 2009, this view of Fair Head from Colliery Bay is my favourite of that trip.
The weather was threatening in the pre-dawn hours, but there was a band of clear sky right where the sun was due to rise. The low clouds are lit from beneath as it rises over the Scottish Hebrides, but all too soon the show was over and it vanished behind the advancing cloud cover.
Being in the right place at the right time is crucial for successful landscape photography. On this morning I realized the shot I had planned, which relied upon golden sunlight on the scene, was not going to happen - so I shifted gears and went to a location where I'd be able to shoot directly at the Sun as it rose.
The tactic paid off in this case, and this image - made at the peak of the light show - shows that the red light wasn't quite strong enough to fully light the underside of the clouds nor to illuminate the rocks. The result is a contrast of warm and cool colours which I feel work very well.

Cromwell Point is the location of the lighthouse on Valentia Island. it guards the channel between Valentia and Beginish Island. It was built on the site of a 16th century fortification, the outline of which is still apparent.

Ladies' View is one of the iconic viewpoints in the Killarney area. Named for Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, who were apparently much taken by the spot during her visit to the area.
I've always been taken by this tree, which is largely overlooked by the tourists who visit this place in droves during the summer months. I think it sets the view off very nicely, and this image made under starry skies gives the place an otherworldly feel. The lights of Killarney are visible in the bottom left of the frame between Torc Mountain on the right and the Eagle's Nest on the left.

Made on a moonlit night, ground fog fills the valley, eerily lit by light from a farmhouse. The constellation of Orion is visible in the sky with the snow-covered Macgillycuddy's Reeks in the background.

An Searrach (the foal) is a prominent sea stack on the Dingle coastline near Lispole. This image was made in the late afternoon on a fine summer's day. A long exposure was used to blur the movement of waves and clouds.

Killarney and its surroundings are one of the gems of Irish landscape. In this image, a long exposure looking out over Lough Leane to the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, some of that drama comes to life.
Purple Mountain, Cnoc an Bhráca, and Cruach Mhór are all visible. Carrauntoohil and the rest of the Reeks are all lost in the dark clouds beyond.

A lone figure lights the way to the monastery on the peak of Skellig Michael on a calm night.

Lough Leane is the largest of the Lakes of Killarney, and is seen here looking from Reen Pier near Ross Castle towards the Purple Mountain group (consisting of Tomies, Purple and Shehy mountains).
The Lakes are world famous for their beauty and I've long been looking for an image that conveyed the scale and calmness of this area. It wasn't until fairly recently that the combination of clouds, calm water and warm light made this photograph possible.