ECCG Shoot at The Custom House, Cork – 10/02/19

Posted on 15/04/2019 by admin

On 10th February, we at East Cork Camera Group were fortunate to gain access to The Custom House, Cork. The Custom House was designed by William Hargrave in 1818 and built at Custom House Street between the North and South Channels of the River Lee. In 1904 it became the headquarters of The Cork Harbour Commissioners, now known as the Port of Cork Company. We visited the ornate boardroom designed by William Price in 1906 and also the Committee Room with its pale cream and
gold wallpaper and delicately patterned ceiling.

The Boardroom and Committee Room house a collection of maritime artwork owned by the Port of Cork Company. We strolled down the quay by the bonded warehouses in the Custom House yard The Warehouses were built by prison labour in 1820 to hold imported goods until duty was paid. The warehouses were built from rubble sandstone with squared and cut limestone. They were built on a trapezoidal plan having canopies to ground floor level. Vaulted stores to ground floor and stone spiral stairs within external semi-circular towers.

Having completed our visit to this landmark building within Cork City we were in time to capture the sunset over the River Lee. A truly memorable experience was had by everyone.

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

- Eileen Upton

ECCG Shoot in Youghal, Co. Cork – 13/01/2019

Posted on 13/04/2019 by admin

On Sunday, 13th January, East Cork Camera Group paid a visit to Youghal. We met at Green Park and divided into groups in order to cover the entire town. The Clock Gate Tower was our first stop and is the most visible landmark in the centre of the town. Although built in 1777 as a gaol, its story spans 700 years of history. It is divided into four floors. Each floor depicts a different era in time and includes a medieval merchant's dwelling, 18th Century Gaol, a "time-keeping floor" and a former family home.

There was a commanding view from the top of the building. The only sound to be heard was the clicking of cameras until the Clock struck "3" and then we descended with the sound of the bells ringing in our ears. An absolutely fascinating place to visit and we could have spent hours there.

Our next stop was St Marys Collegiate Church, nestled under the protective arms of Youghal's Town Walls in the Raleigh Quarter, which can claim to be the oldest church in Ireland with continuous worship since the 13th Century. The trusses of the stunning nave roof have been carbon dated to the late 12th century. There we photographed plaques and effigies and in particular the magnificent stained glass
windows.

One of Ireland's oldest cinemas, the Regal Cinema reopened its doors in 2018 following a year-long renovation. The cinema was built in 1936 and many of its original architectural features have been meticulously restored making a visit a truly nostalgic experience.

We then headed to Youghal Lighthouse which has a unique history beginning in 1190 when a light tower stood on the site of the present tower. The Tower as we know it was built in 1848. Its location is unique in that it is almost in the centre of the town.

We could not leave Youghal without paying a visit to the beach. We all headed down to the front strand to capture the setting sun. As the sun set, we headed for home after a very enjoyable day spent in one of the towns of Ireland's Ancient East.

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

- Eileen Upton

Seascape Competition – 05/02/2019

Posted on 02/03/2019 by admin

Much of our group's activity in January focused on seascape photography and, following on from photoshoots at Youghal and Ballycotton and a presentation by local seascape photographer Paul Flynn AIPF, the first of our 6 competitions of 2019, themed "Seascape", took place at our meeting on 5th February at the Midleton Park Hotel.

This was a printed competition and we were delighted to welcome local photographer, John Finn AIPF ARPS, on the night to judge the 22 entries. Once the winners in each grade were announced, John gave a critique on each image, giving valuable insight and advice from his wealth of experience.

John went on to discuss the process he undertook in achieving his Associateship with the IPF and RPS with his wonderful panel of inverted reflections in the River Lee. With distinctions becoming a major interest for many of our members this was an inspiring discussion, and we look forward to meeting up with John again soon.
Winners on the night as follows,

Grade A 1st - Andrew Corkbeg
Grade A 2nd - Dave Harris, Joe Moroney
Grade A 3rd - Kevin Day

Grade B 1st - Noel O'Keeffe, Niall Sharkey
Grade B 2nd - Paul Stack
Grade B 3rd - Jim Curtin, Ray O'Connell

Grade C 1st - Kevin O'Brien
Grade C 2nd - Richard Hennessey
Grade C 3rd - Rosanne Donovan

Click here for the competition gallery

Click here for more photos from the night.

- Anthony O'Connor, LIPF

Scott Kelby’s World Wide Photo Walk 2018

Posted on 19/09/2018 by admin

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.

World Wide Photo Walk – 01/10/2016

Posted on 02/10/2016 by admin

wwpw-2016-dbarry-3

Brilliant sunshine greeted us outside the Commodore Hotel in Westbourne Place, Cobh, Co. Cork as we met at 11am to begin our 2016 Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk. This was ECCG's third WWPW having held the previous two in Midleton and Youghal in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Guided by local man Gordon Kinsella who knew all the best shots in the town, we began our walk in the park and then took a circular route taking in most of the town centre as well as Deep Water Quay.

The roof-top of the Commodore Hotel, with its stunning views of the town and harbour, provided a fitting end to this most enjoyable event which we topped off with great food and conversation in the Hotel bar.

As much a social event as a photography event, it was great to meet some new people and catch up with some that we haven't seen in a while. Thanks to Gordon Kinsella, the Commodore Hotel, everyone who joined us on the walk and everyone we met along the way.

Check out the gallery from the event here but check back regularly as the gallery will be added to over the next week or so. Enjoy!