Irelands coastal beauty

My latest photography adventure took me to Minard, a striking location on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. The Irish coastline is known for its rugged beauty, and Minard truly exemplifies this. What makes this spot particularly special is the castle ruin that stands right at the water's edge.

Unlike most coastal areas with sandy beaches, Minard is lined with massive boulders, which create a dramatic foreground for photography. These boulders, slick from the ocean spray, are shaped in a gentle curve along the coast, making them an ideal leading line in photographs, naturally guiding the viewer's eye toward the ancient castle ruins.

My visit to Minard coincided with the arrival of the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto, which was forecasted to bring stormy weather to Ireland. I arrived just ahead of the storm, eager to capture the wave action before the conditions became too extreme. The waves were fascinating, with larger sets arriving every eight or so waves, crashing against the boulders with force.

These moments provided great opportunities to capture the power of the ocean. As I waited for the right moments, the light changed constantly, with brief, fleeting bursts of sunlight breaking through the thick clouds. This light was essential, adding contrast and definition to the scene, and it reminded me just how crucial timing and light are in landscape photography. The right light can transform a photograph, adding a sense of drama and depth to make the image stand out.

To capture the waves in different ways, I experimented with various shutter speeds. At 1/8 of a second, I was able to freeze the motion of the waves, creating images that conveyed their strength and energy. With 1/4 and half-second exposures, I introduced a bit more blur to the water, capturing a sense of movement while still retaining some detail in the waves.

Finally, I attached my 10-stop filter for a 30-second exposure. This longer exposure smoothed out the water, creating a soft, misty effect around the boulders, giving the scene a sense of calm despite the approaching storm. Each of these shutter speeds delivered a unique image, demonstrating the versatility of wave photography and how different techniques can be used to capture the same scene in varied ways.

The constant spray from the crashing waves meant I had to frequently clean my lens, which was a challenge, but one I was prepared for. I managed to get my shots just in time before the rain began to fall, marking the arrival of the storm.

From Minard, I continued my journey along the Dingle Peninsula, heading towards Slea Head, where I aimed to capture even more dramatic wave action as the storm moved in. But that's a story for another day. Stay tuned for next week's blog post & video, where I'll share the results of that exhilarating experience.