Phase One Workshop — Ireland

I have never used a Phase One medium format camera, and have only occasionally tinkered with Phase One software, but this trip looks like fun:

• P 65+ shooting
• 3 world-class instructors
• Airport pick-up
• Hotel accommodation
• All meals
• Complimentary camera bag
• 2 30x40 inch prints
• Capture One Pro
• Lots of fun

We begin our trip at Shannon airport where we’ll board our vehicles and make our way to our base for the next three nights, right on the shore of the famous Lough Leane in Killarney. From here, we’ll be exploring the Ring of Kerry on the Iveragh Peninsula. At the hotel, you’ll be given a P 65+ camera system, which will be yours for the rest of the trip, and instructed how to use it by our expert team.

USD$5500 is a good bit of change, but I think this would be a great experience. I have traveled around that part of Ireland a few times, and it is indeed very beautiful; having the time to indulge in some serious landscape photography at the same time… NICE!

I hope, for whoever partakes, that those Phase One P65+ camera’s are waterproof! Rains a bit in Kerry.

Link to PDF Datasheet.

Link to Registration Form.

The Bull surveys his field

I was lucky enough (thanks Alan) to get along to Croke Park on Saturday, 22nd December to see Ireland take on Argentina in a friendly international (although there was, and is always an edge to matches against the Puma’s due to the recent history between the two teams). Here are some photo’s from the match…

I must admit that the match was a little underwhelming after the excitement of the Munster — All Blacks match on the previous Tuesday. It was an ill-tempered match, due to the recent history between the two teams, Argentina suffered the loss of two of their most influential players before kickoff. After 60 minutes of a slug fest, Ireland opened up a lead in the last quarter to win 17–6. Here are some more shots from the match:

And finally, here is a panorama created from 14 shots. I originally tried this in Photoshop CS3 but found too many “merge” artifacts. I then tried Microsoft Research ICE (Image Composite Editor) and it did a fantastic job on it. This is the small size, the full size one is 56 megapixels!

You can also check them out on Flickr here.

Susan sneaking out…

I have tinkered with getting into Wedding Photography from time to time, and have gone as far as doing a wedding photography course, buying wedding photography books, and attending a wedding photography trade show.

It might surprise you that for something that looks so easy, it is possibly one of the most difficult photographic assignments:

• Sometimes difficult clients
• An event which is a once in a lifetime occasion (mostly, here in Ireland)
• Low light environment with plenty of fast movement (the Church)
• The Competition (i.e. people like me in the crowd who have the equipment and by god, they are not afraid to use it!)

But it all pales into insignificance to the exercise in stamina, strength, perseverance, quick thinking, and late night singing that is required to attend and participate fully in your cousin’s wedding!

Congratulations Gary & Susan!