2018

Eileen Upton LIPF, Kevin Day AIPF, and Noelle Lowney LIPF

There was a strong showing from East Cork Camera Group at last Saturday’s Irish Photographic Federation Distinction Sitting in Thurles, Co. Tipperary with six members seeking Distinctions.

Kevin Day, Dave Harris, Fidelma Read, and John Tait were seeking Associateships while Noelle Lowney and Eileen Upton were seeking Licentiateships. With a capacity entry, judging began at 10 am accompanied by the expected apprehension and expectation of those being assessed.

Kevin, Eileen, and Noelle were all successful while Dave, Fidelma, and John narrowly missed out but lived to fight another day. Well done to all.

– Anthony O’Connor

Scott Kelby’s World Wide Photo Walk 2018

2018 will be East Cork Camera Group’s fifth participation in the Scott Kelby’s World Wide Photowalk. In 2014 we walked in our hometown of Midleton, in 2015, we walked in Youghal, in 2016, we went to Cobh and last year we visited Kinsale. This year we’re going to walk in the real capital of Ireland – Cork City! So what is a PhotoWalk you might well ask? Well, it’s simply a leisurely walk, during which you take photographs of your surroundings. That’s all it is and you don’t have to be a professional photographer or have expensive gear either – even a mobile phone camera will do!

Trying to isolate one venue from all those available in this fine city is a chore in itself but we have decided that we will concentrate on the general area of the Western Road where we will have Elizabeth Fort, St. Finbarr’s Cathedral, UCC and Fitzgerald Park in our sights.

We’ve had great weather on all our previous walks and we’re hoping that this year’s exceptionally fine summer might make a reappearance on the 6th of October to allow us to walk and photograph this area at its best. The walk will be a leisurely affair and will end with lunch at a local venue to be decided.

You don’t have to be a member of East Cork Camera Group to participate either so if you simply have an interest in photography and would like to tag along, no problem! All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult, however. The walk is free but any nominal admission fees (more details after you register) and lunch will be at your own expense. As the walk is in aid of the Springs of Hope charity, a small donation to it at the time of registration would be appreciated.

Remember, you must pre-register at the official website, worldwidephotowalk.com, in order to participate.

We will publish your photos from the day on our website (www.eastcorkcameragroup.ie) and there will be competitions to enter if you so wish.

If our previous walks are anything to go by, this will be a great event and will be worth coming along. We look forward to seeing you there.

However, spaces are limited so, if you are interested in coming along, please register now by clicking the ‘Join Walk’ button at www.worldwidephotowalk.com.

Youghal Queen of the Seas – 15/07/2018

On Sunday 15th July, the Youghal Queen of the Sea festival concluded with a spectacular fireworks display. The suggested viewpoint for photography was Ferrypoint in Co. Waterford with a panoramic view across the Blackwater River towards the town of Youghal. Walking around the shore at Ferrypoint provided views of the quays, the Clock Gate Tower overlooking the buildings, to Youghal Lighthouse, Capel Island and Knockadoon Head further south beyond Youghal Bay.

On arrival at Ferrypoint, they were plenty of people camped out with the Bee Gees Tribute band playing across the river and enjoying the fine evening. Before the main event, there was ample opportunity to set up the camera and make a few trial images. As darkness approached, beautiful reflections appeared in the channel to add to the scene. A good crowd gathered in anticipation of the fireworks including a group celebrating a birthday.

On conclusion of all the Bee Gees hits, the fireworks burst into the sky. There was plenty of variety in the bursts which gave me ample opportunity to test the Fireworks mode in the camera. With the backdrop of Youghal town, the spectators appreciated the show, although one baby did not share the same enthusiasm. The last few fireworks were fired high in the sky above us to bring the festival to an end – with a bang…

See a gallery of images from the shoot here. Enjoy!

– Paul Stack

Cork Harbour Festival – June 2018

Cork Harbour Festival is the largest annual event in Cork Harbour with a nine-day celebration of maritime culture and heritage. There are over 70 events in Cork City and the harbour towns and villages.

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór is the flagship event of the Cork Harbour Festival and is Ireland’s very own long-distance rowing race. The first race was held in 2005 and was originally a race for traditional fixed-seat boats. It has now grown into an annual event for an all-inclusive rowing and paddling event embracing everything from traditional wooden working boats, currachs, skiffs, gigs and Chinese dragon boats to contemporary ocean racing shells, kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddle boards, attracting over 600 Irish and international participants from the U.S., Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, crewing over 200 craft.

On Saturday, 2nd June, our Group took up many vantage points along Cork Harbour and waited for the race to begin. The Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter together with the Crosshaven Coast Guard Boat and the RNLI inshore Life Boat carried out a demonstration training exercise to entertain the crowds waiting on the Promenade in Cobh. At 2.30pm. the race began at Crosshaven and it was not long before the colourful spectacle of all sizes of boats and crews could be seen rounding the Spitbank and turning towards Cobh. As the rowers passed by Cobh, they were greeted by shouts of encouragement from all those waiting along the quay. Even though some participants were under pressure at times to keep going, they managed to wave to the crowds, such was the festive atmosphere on the day.

The magnificent tall ship, Pelican of London, paid a visit to Cork Harbour during the Festival. It was built in 1948 and first served as an Arctic trawler and then a coastal trading vessel. In 2007, after a twelve-year rebuild, she became a sail training ship with Sail Training Ireland.

Cork Model Yacht Club celebrates its 80th anniversary in existence at The Lough. On Sunday 10th June, the Club gave a demonstration of competitive radio controlled model yacht racing, based on the International One Meter Racing Class. These yachts cover a meter every 20 seconds and are quite spectacular to watch especially in the presence of a good wind when they really pick up the pace! Sailing takes place around a series of buoys and a race will last between 15 and 20 minutes.

East Cork Camera Group attended some of the many events of the Festival to capture the atmosphere and enjoyment felt by all participants and you can see a gallery of images from them by clicking here. Enjoy!

– Eileen Upton

Saltee Island Shoot – June 2018

The Saltee Islands are a pair of small islands lying 5 km off the south-east coast of County Wexford in southern Ireland. Our photo shoot was to Great Saltee which is privately owned by the Neale family. It is recognised as a birdwatchers’ paradise as well as a beautiful location for a day trip and picnic. It has the second most important nesting colony in Ireland for gannets but throughout the island, there are also significant numbers of other species such as puffins, cormorants, razorbills, manx shearwater, kittiwakes, guillemots and shags.

Day visitors are allowed on the island between 11.30am and 4.30pm. Our arranged trip, which takes 15 mins, left from Kilmore Quay and it is strongly advised to book in advance as the boats are restricted to 12 passengers. The disembarkation onto the island is rather scary as it can involve a jump on to wet rocks.

After a short 10 min stroll, you arrive at the impressive cliff faces, each populated by a different species of bird. There are great views of the birds as you walk safely along small trails close to the cliff face but take extreme care if you wish to venture closer to take a photo. An invigorating 25 min walk up a steep incline will bring you to an incredible vista of 1000’s of gannets who permit you to come close to the colony – an incredible experience!!

Click here to see a gallery of images from the shoot. Enjoy!

– Ray O’Connell