After yesterday’s slightly desperate attempt to find a photograph at the end of the day, Day 3 was a relief.
We headed out to Bull Island for a family walk — myself, my wife and my son. It was one of those Dublin days where summer hadn’t quite given up, but autumn was definitely on its way. We’d gone out wrapped up in jackets, only to start shedding them when the low, warm sun came out.
We stopped for coffee at Happy Out and afterwards wandered along the jetty. By mid-afternoon, I had my photograph.
I spotted one of the shelters and immediately liked the way it framed the view across Dublin Bay. The dark concrete around the outside and the bright water beyond gave the scene a real sense of depth — almost like looking through a window.
Then I saw the swimmer heading down the steps.
It was a completely found moment, but as soon as I saw it I knew there was a photograph there. The Poolbeg chimneys were in the distance, so I moved around and eventually bent down to get everything lined up the way I wanted: the swimmer entering the water, the frame of the shelter around her and those two familiar chimneys sitting neatly in the background.
I like the slightly contradictory feel of the photograph. The low sun sparkling across the water makes it look almost summery, but it was actually a fairly cold day. We might have ended up taking our jackets off, but getting into the sea was another matter entirely. There were plenty of braver people doing that.
Technically, this isn’t a particularly clever photograph. The camera was pretty much on auto. Most of my decisions came from where I stood — or crouched — rather than what settings I chose.
I did spend a little more time on it afterwards in Lightroom. I increased the contrast and used masks to draw attention to the swimmer and the chimneys while making some of the other elements, particularly the shelter and foreground, less prominent. I even removed an ugly weed from the foreground. Feel free to report me to the photography police.
Three days into this project, I think I’m already learning something.
Yesterday I got to the end of the day without a photograph I was particularly happy with and ended up taking something simply because I needed a Day 2. Today was different. I was looking for pictures, and when this little scene presented itself, I recognised it.
There was a definite sense of relief when I looked at the back of the camera.
That’s today’s keeper.
I’m much happier with Day 3.
Only 362 to go.