Tag Archive for 'west'

Sheeps Head

It’s probably as much about the pilgrimage to the end of the world as it is about the photography, but Sheeps Head is one hell of a location. It’s almost always as windy as hell (or as windy as I imagine hell might be on a windy day) down there, soggy or even sinky under foot for at least 30% of the walk and you never really know if one of the animals roaming the headland is going to take an instant dislike to you and formulate some kind of velociraptor styled attack. Having said all that, I wouldn’t change it one bit. If it’s not my favorite location in west Cork for the last few years, it’s certainly in the top three.

As with many of my favorite locations, it did eventually receive the Bronica coverage. PanF+ was the film of choice. This all happened a couple of years ago. Then the film sat on a shelf and greeted the full extent of the morning sun every morning for months. The only reprieve it got was when it was wound clumsily onto a spool, thrust into a tank by a ham-fisted operator (that’ll be me by the way), developed incorrectly (most likely) and hung up to dry in a dusty spare bathroom. So if you see some spots, water marks, hairs and some light leaks in these pictures, you’ll understand how they got there. Having said all that, I still intend on printing at least two of this set. I think it’s got less to do with being happy with the photos because they’re technically good (which they obviously aren’t) and more to do with the location.

Reasons to be West

Another from the couple of rolls of Velvia scanned recently. West Cork again, just as the sun was going down. After fecking about with Vuescan and a couple more for what seemed like an eternity, I think I’ve finally got close enough to the negative to stop worrying about it. This is pretty much straight out of the scanner. Just got rid of some of the more noticeable marks and spots.

Great Things to Come

Great Things to Come
The Cork photowalk. West Cork. Sheeps head to be exact. When people say \’go to your happy place\’ this is at the top of an ever lengthening list.

Happy Place

Happy Place
Julie in her happy place, surrounded by \’stuff\’ to take photos of. Don\’t ask me to explain it.

Worlds End Fence

Worlds End Fence
The barbed wire fence at the end of the world. Sheeps Head in West Cork.

Overcooked Hills

Overcooked Hills
Off to that castle again tomorrow so won\’t be posting over the weekend. Looking out on a contrast ++ sea from the top of Goats Path in West Cork. Just before winding down the other side of the hill into Kilcrohane and onto the headland.

Gardens of Napoli

Gardens of Napoli
Almost, but not quite… Photowalkers doing their thing during the June get together in west Cork. This particular stop was Garinish Island, one stop after Gougane Barra but one before the impromptu \’it\’s too early to go drinking yet\’ trip to Sheeps Head. One of the best photowalks yet, if only because this time I know the area I was traipsing around. Half way there now, only 6 photowalks to go!

West Side Storey

West Side Storey
An apartment building lit up by the sun. Passed by it while strolling around the west side on a mission of exploration.

Solstice Sojourn

Solstice Sojourn
June 2003. Whilst at a very loose end one day and wanting to clear the head of unpleasant thoughts, I invented the tour which shall forever be known as the \”Solstice Sojourn\”. Started at home in Carrigaline, west taking in Bandon, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Schull, Leap, Sheeps Head, Bantry, Glengarriff and a few other towns that I can\’t remember. All in all, took about 9 hours and was held for two years running on the longest day of the year. I NEED to do that again as soon as I get a bike.

I [heart] Velvia

I [heart] Velvia
Spending a few days around Cork & Kerry shooting a mixture of Velvia, Neopan and PanF. After (very successfully) developing three rolls of Velvia so far, I have to say that I\’m in love. It\’s a pain to develop but it\’s just too worth it. This is the top of the hill at Barley Lake between Kenmare & Bantry. The lake is behind me somewhere. Must dev those last three rolls soon.