Far from being the first time I picked up a camera, but certainly the first time I set out with intention, 2020 was a milestone year for me.
I have always had an interest in photography, and have from time to time, experimented with mobile phone cameras and point and shoots if a moment of inspiration struck. In 2018, after a period of illness, I was moved to reconnect with my long neglected creative side. I dabbled in painting and sketching for a while, but after travelling to multiple cities across Europe to find interesting city skylines to draw or paint, I found myself spending more time with my phone in hand, taking pictures, than a pencil or a brush.
Never having owned a "real" camera before, I spent many painstaking weeks researching every possible option, and with no clue what I really needed, I purchased my first camera in early 2019. Most of that year saw me confined to a 2km radius in a small country town in Ireland due to the COVID pandemic, so I had lots of practice photographing the neighbourhood cats! As restrictions eased, I began to venture into the city and started my photographic journey.
There isn't a lot to share from this first year of learning. Most of my images where unusably underexposed or noisy, but I did capture some worth sharing.
Temple Bar & Surrounds
Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland.
An area often (unfairly) maligned for its tourist attraction vibe, is in fact a hotspot for trending businesses and café culture (as well as home to one of the best barbers in the city)
Henry Street & Surrounds
Henry Street, Dublin, Ireland.
One of Dublin's busiest shopping streets
Aungier Street & Surrounds
Bray
Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Around 1 hour south of Dublin is the town of Bray. Often frequented during summer for the annual beach trip by those living inland, Bray is known for its stone beach, markets and headlands which offer views across the Irish sea.
The last picture in this set is one of my favourite images. Irish summers can be short and the weather is changeable with little warning. This family sitting on a stone wall near the beach is collectively dressed for every season at once, defying the unseasonably cold weather to enjoy their summer beach trip. The epitome of an Irish Summer.
Dublin Waterways
Protests
