Don’t Worry, Be Happy

You only have one life.
Smile.
Laugh.
Be a child again.
Enjoy it, don’t take everything so seriously all the time.
Stop and smell the flowers, appreciate what you have.
Here’s some random photographs that make me smile.

This is how Conor (2 years young) smiles. There’s nothing wrong with him, it’s just his funny smile…

Post title is the song title of that happy, happy song Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin.

She’ll Carry On Through It All, She’s a Waterfall

I’d just like to post an example of a ‘before and after’ photo, aka editing.
I was wandering around lovely Westport early morning last weekend and strolled along the picturesque river and stopped at this mini-waterfall.

I thought there could be a nice photo in it somewhere to took a few photos, some with slow shutter speeds. This was taken at 1/20th of a second but the initial result was a bit plain/standard.

So I did some basic editing in Picasa 3. I know I should be using Lightroom or Photoshop but haven’t found the time to study either yet. And I find that Picasa 3 does a good job. I know there some features and presets in Lightroom that I’d like. Someday, I keep telling myself, I’ll buy and learn/study Lightroom. Someday. Another confession- I don’t shot in RAW. Ever.

Anyway all I did with this photo took less than 5 minutes and I ‘framed’ the finished result as I think it’d look nice on my wall. Steps were crop, apply 1960′s effect and add the frame.

Post title is taken from ‘She’s a Waterfall’ by THE Stone Roses.

And I could never bring you flowers, And I could never turn you around

A collage of a colourful purple flower, taken with my new macro lens. Macro photography is a lot harder than I thought, it’s a learning curve, especially with focus.

Post title is taken from the song ‘Flowers’ from the album ‘Today’ by the under-rated band ‘Galaxie 500′.

Maroon 5 ( Galway GAA Pearse Stadium stand )

This is the second set of photographs from my wander around Pearse Stadium, Salthill home to Galway GAA hurling and football. In this set I’m posting patterns and strong colours seen in the empty stand which wouldn’t be seen on match day.

…and an ‘abstract’ one thrown in for good measure

My first set of photographs from Pearse Stadium can be found here

Title taken from the American Pop Rock band named ‘Maroon 5′. I know I have more than 5 maroon photographs in the post but couldn’t resist adding this title

Oh To Be, Oh To Be, Oh To Be A Rebel

This is my second set of photos from Páirc Ui Chaoimh, home to Cork GAA hurling and football.
These photos some an empty stadium and shows the patterns and colours on the stand and terrace, which is normally hidden/covered by fans.
The last photo isn’t staged, Conor saw the flag, ran over and started waving it.

Here’s the link to my first set of photos from ‘The Park’ (Páirc Úi Chaoimh).

You’re always so calm and so cool,
Donal Óg just knows what to do,
Mulchay, Muphy, The Rock,
Will just play each minute on the clock.

Sean Og, Ronan and John,
They will just sting you along,
They’re just sheer class on the grass,
Rebels, we watch as they pass.

Gerry O Conor will leave you for dead,
Tom Kenny, he’ll fix you then
The attack starts all over again,

McCarthy wheels at you,
And Neil Ronan he knows what to do,
All they have to do is keep hurling at you.

Oh to be, oh to be, oh to be a Rebel,
We love ye Rebels, you’re so slick and so sharp,
We love ye Rebels with every beat of our heart,
We’ll follow Rebels all the way to Croke Park.

Lyrics taken from here, thanks to cathalosull21. It’s a slightly outdated song now but is from when Cork hurling was at it’s pinnacle (in recent times).