Coming Soon…
Motoring/Photography / May 08, 2010

Coming Soon…

My dad and I recently pulled the Avenger out of storage to get it ready for a few HRCA races this year. I went to see my parents yesterday evening and noticed the door of the garage was up – of course the Avenger caught my eye and I couldn’t resist taking a few photos.

When processing, I got to thinking of all the time spent in and around this car. My dad first started racing in it in the early ninties. It was always a competitive car – he upgraded to the current engine in the mid-ninties – a Chrysler BRM 1600cc Twin Cam 16v. An incredible spec considering it is nearly thirty years old. And it’s a very rare engine. Since the early ninties, he has been bringing the family (whoever was available at the time) to Hillclimbs, Sprints and Races all over the country. And I’ve been dragging my friends along to the same events for about as long.

The Blue Avenger, as it is referred to, has a long history here in Ireland – including a very successful hillclimb career. It’s a car that lots of people want to drive, but very few are allowed to.

This is much more than a car – I’d go so far as to say it is more like a family member. It may sound strange thing to say, but this particular car has brought family and friends together for twenty years now. I suppose the fact that it gets to sit on Carpet in the garage says a lot!

Given that the Blue Avenger has had such a big impact on me over the years, I’m hoping to do a Photo Story Board of the car over the next few months. Watch this space.

Watching the world go by
Motoring/Photography / February 08, 2010

Watching the world go by

About:
Noel Conroy and Michael Ward in a MKII Escort (1800 RS). I liked this because of the calm, relaxed look on Michael’s face – despite the fact that he was in the middle of a stage.

Settings:
1/100 sec, ƒ 9, ISO 125, 46.0 mm, AF – AI Servo
Normally (the only other time I’ve shot Motorsport in manual mode), I’d stick with 1/80 sec – but we were on a straight here and the cars were moving a little too fast to pan comfortably at 1/80 sec. I’d normally focus manually on a spot just in front of me too – but I found that because I was standing on a straight, I was getting upto four shots of each car at varying distances (from the camera), three of which would be out of focus. So I set the Auto Focus to AI Servo and it did a great job!

Processing:
B&W conversion, Partial Vignette, Cropped, Debris removed.

Next Time:
I’d love to introduce a strobe in a forestry stages rally – on a medium to low speed corner.

The same Robin!
365/Photography / January 08, 2010

The same Robin!

My first non-365 post! I honestly didn’t expect it to be so soon, but we’ve had a lot of snow which has completely changed how everything looks around Adare. And needless to say, I was out with my camera.

Thank you all for your comments and e-mails on my last 365 photo. I didn’t realise so many people were following the whole thing – it’s very encouraging.

Sí and I put on our ski gear yesterday and headed off to Curraghchase with two Fertiliser bags to go down the hill in front of Curraghchase house. Not my brightest idea – we both have MASSIVE bruises on our backsides and are finding it very difficult to sit or lie down. You’d think I’d know better at the age of thirty, but no. And I’ll probably do it again –  it was great fun!

Anyway, after we did the damage, we went for a quick walk around Curraghchase the lake was nearly completely frozen over and I’d say the birds are finding it tough going. This Robin, pretty sure it’s the same one as this photo,  was mad looking for food and had no objections to me getting to within about two feet of him.

Start as you mean to go on
365/Photography / January 01, 2010

Start as you mean to go on

Jan 1 2010.

Another shot of the Christmas tree on the Shannon – this time it’s at sunset. I took the same photo this day last year. I think it’s an improvement – but that’s only my opinion! Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.