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The Last Days of Togher International Festival of Amateur Photography

Saturday saw the end of an era.  With the presentation of the Kevin Ryan Memorial Trophy the last act of the Togher International Festival of Amateur Photography was complete.

Chrissie and Mary have been running a photographic competition for 23 year in the Togher community and photographers from all over Cork and the World have entered and been judged.  But as well as the Open, Novice and Specialist categories there was always the Snapshots.  And that summed up the event: something for everyone at every level of photography; a chance for experienced professionals and ameteurs to show their craft; opportunities for anyone with a camera to show off a good image; lots to smile about; an appreciation of photography at all levels; all the encouragement anyone could want.

It was testament to how this festival has touched so many in Cork that not only did the City Lord Mayor and Deputy County Mayor arrive at Togher Community Hall on Saturday but also two TDs and at least three former Mayors.  As well as many members of the community who have been involved over the last 23 years.

But after many ‘last years’ this could finally be it for Chrissie and Mary.  I think they might finally have had enough.  The local businesses will be one spot prize over this year.

My thanks to them from me and on behalf of many photographers who have taken part in TIPAF over the years.

There is still a hope someone might take up the gauntlet next year and the competition will continue and perhaps reach new heights.

But we will remain endebitted to Chrissie and Mary for the last 23 years.

Third Prize, Kevin Ryan Memorial Trophy, April 2009
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Easter Refresher

I had the pleasure of attending a three day seminar ‘almost alone’ with David Williams up in Omagh before Easter.  David’s work is incredible and it was amazing to see him at work and how he achieves such natural, intimate images.  He is truly inspirational.  Lots to take away from this and use in my own work but also great to step out of daily business every now and then and spend time improving my craft.

Thanks also to Sarah Fyffe, who hosted the event up in Omagh.

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Spring at last

Who would have believed that the warmth of St Patrick’s Day lasted until the weekend but there we were having Sunday lunch outside.

Lots of work to be done in the garden but Spring is definately here at last

First Magnolias
First Magnolias
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Happy St Patrick’s Day

I haven’t seen any of the press photos from the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade yet but I can’t see how you can’t just have great fun with it.  I’ve never actually worked it but this year we were organised enough to get there early and even found a spot in the glorious sunshine on the South Mall.

But alas all that waiting was too much for the small fella who dozed off in my arms just before everything kicked off!  After a short nap that giant robot thing woke him up but he remained in my arms for the duration.

So I didn’t even get any snaps.  Just this one caught on the way in next to City Hall.

St Patrick's Day Parade, Cork
St Patrick's Day Parade, Cork

Now this guy almost came a cropper on a tree trying to turn into the South Mall but nevertheless impressed everyone (it certainly made an impression on some smaller kids on the crowd!)

Well done to all involved.  I think it was the best parade in Cork for a long time and, combined with warm sunshine, it was just what everyone needed.

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The Rock Pools of Sydney’s Northern Beaches

I have just added another gallery to the Australian Series of Galleries on my main site.  It features a selection of images taken of the Rock Pools around Manly.

High Tide Breaking into Freshwater Pool

The pools are characteristic of the beaches on Sydney’s northern coastline and each had a character of its own.  Many had lane markings and were used frequently by organised groups and indivduals in regular training.  Others were more like lidos.

As we spent our time around the local beaches I tried to capture the variety and characters of the pools and I have a comprehensive series of images as a result.  I plan to bring them together in a series of large composites.  The gallery has a selection of the images which give you the overall impression of the work.

The full link is http://www.roblambphoto.com/Australia/RockPools/RockPoolsGallery.htm

Rob

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Capwell Post Office

Walking along Douglas St today I noticed that the rennovations to the old Capwell Post Office and surrounding buildings are nearing completion.  While the facade of the old building remains, its character is quite different to how it stood a year or so ago:

The Old Capwell Post Office (extended Infrared)

The slightly spooky look of this image is due to the use of a film with extended sensitivity to Infrared (Kodak HIE).  I like the dramatic look this creates and its uniquely suited so some aspects of the Irish landscape (in this example, the urban landscape).

Look out for a gallery of this work from 2007 coming soon.

I still have some HIE in the freezer and want to do more of this stuff again when the weather improves (I’m always seeking potential locations).  There is also a way to do this digitally but that’s another project…

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February Snow

It came at dusk and was already fading fast by dawn: our first real snowfall of the year.

Driving home from Bishopstown late in the afternoon it suddenly started to get dark, the sky went grey and a flurry of snow blew in, the snow clouds momentarily blocking out the sun.  Real big snowflakes this time, not just the thin powdery sleet we’d had earlier on.

Another bit at dusk and there was enough for the kids to muster a tiny snowball or two.

Then overnight enough to blot out the grass in places.

By school run the car had been scraped for snowballs by the kids off the bus, still just enough around though for our our girls to throw a few at their mother.  By ten o’clock it was gone from the ground.

But now its snowing again!  Maybe we might even get a small snowman later!

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An Andy Goldsworthy Moment

On one of those rare quiet moments before Christmas I pulled down some of those lovely coffee table books and found inspiration, if not for an incisive moment of environmental art, at least for some fun with the kids in the garden.

So out we went and created…

The centre ring is the Horse Chestnut directly fallen, then the yellow from the bush next door, then red from our neighbours garden and finally Apple leaves from further up the garden.

This turned out to be great entertainment for all: selecting, filtering and gathering leaves; filling and emptying the wheelbarrow; spreading and organising.  The small fella in particular was a great help…

However the whole esthetic was a bit lost one him…

Alas, environmental art is temporal and we now just have a pile of dead leaves at the bottom of the garden…

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Happy New Year

We managed to get a few days away out West over the holidays. I love West Cork, it always feels like you could spend your entire life wandering those hills and beaches and still discover new wonders.  One of my (many) resolutions this year is to spend more time out there.  OK, so its more of a plan than a resolution but hopefully I can get to spend more time out there this year.  West Cork is perfect for a bike tour – there’s no better way to see the country: the perfect mix of the ability to cover some distance but remain in touch with the environment (including the rain).  I may require a little training!

Barley Cove
Barley Cove
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Merry Christmas

School’s out today so I guess it’s finally here: Merry Christmas to everyone!

I wish you a peaceful and happy holiday.

Whatever the turbulent new year has in store for you may you have confidence and hope.

Treasure the love of those around you and make that the foundation of your life.  These are the good fortunes that economies neither build nor take away

All the best, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing.

Rob