Skellig Islands Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Skellig Islands, stand aloof in the Atlantic Ocean some 12 km southwest of Valentia Island, County Kerry. From any angle, or from any vantage point on the nearby Ring of Kerry, they are spectacular pinnacles, which have magnetised viewers throughout all history – and beyond.

A wisp of cloud often adorning the peaks of these pinnacles creates a volcanic impression! But there is nothing volcanic about these Skelligs rocks; they are created of the same 350–million-year-old Devonian Sandstone that runs right through the backbone of Kerry - from the county’s south-western headlands to the shores of Killarney's lakes.

Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2 Windows
Exposure Time: 1/200
F-Stop: f/9.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 100
Focal Length: 320/1 mm

ilDottore, pboehringer, mbasil, rafelito, Elaine_Blath, Yffic, Uhu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Baileys (677) 2006-06-15 18:18

Hi, I really like your Irish series! You captured Skelligs beautifully, the picture gives the impression of mystery, past and nature which I associate with this part of Ireland. Cannot wait to see more of your pictures from the west! Maybe Dingle? Blaskets? please! :-)))
Regards, Hanna

mbasil (2117) 2006-06-15 18:44

Well done. You had a good eye to see the repeating pattern here. And you've done a great job bringing them out in your photo.
Best,
Mike

pboehringer (770) 2006-06-15 18:44

Highly dramatic impressive scenery, Stephen. The note helps a lot to understand. The islands in the bg are an extension of the rock formations in the fg. The sailing boat adds a dramatic component to the pinnacles.
Great shot. Regards, Peter

natwald (0) 2006-06-15 18:52

Looks unreal - Lord of the Rings type scene. I've never been to Ireland - I must go.
I would of expected a better quality of image with that lens. It looks scanned, to me. This one's a lot better: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Ireland/photo403613.htm

On this one, the detail in the foreground is lost and the sea is blurred. Good shot tho

guaranine (0) 2006-06-15 19:41

wow, i love this shot. congrats on actually being able to see the islands, i missed seeing them due to fog. excellent comp.
beth

rafelito (3645) 2006-06-15 20:30

Hi Stephen, I like very much your composition, the rocks in first place are doing great perspective.Many regards, Rafael

joshack (455) 2006-06-15 22:02

Beautiful scenery and composition! The boat is a great element, nice job on the capture. The foreground rocks are a bit washed out due to the heavy sunlight, maybe some darkening and contrast would help, or maybe not. Excellent shot regardless!

jjcordier (24046) 2006-06-16 1:07

Ces îles qui émergent de l'eau sont superbement "mises en scène". Une très belle composition,Stephen!
Amicalement
JJ

tjanze (5674) 2006-06-16 3:42

Hi Stephen!
Good composition and depth.I like accent on sharp rocks in front.Sail and fog in background works perfect.
Regards!

pilpel-adom (3016) 2006-06-16 3:55

Hello Stephen!
Very good compressed shot, creating that familiar feeling of pure flatness...The distant prominent islands and the sailing boat adds a alot to this composition! Good use of DOF, selecting the appropriate apereture to isolate the proximate shoals and to graphically enhance the sailing boat and Islands in the BG.
Well done!
Chen

Elaine_Blath (6170) 2006-06-16 4:54

Hi Stephen,

beautiful, breathtaking land....ready for pirates...excellent!

Ivana

s10001in (1485) 2006-06-16 5:39

Stephen,
Wonderful shot.
Saturated colors.
Foggy atmosphere on background.
Sharp edges.
Wonderful water scape.
TFS,
Shailendra

aralda (1240) 2006-06-17 5:20

This is a nice view, with the rocks in the foreground mirroring the Skellig Islands in the background.

Leonie (8627) 2006-06-21 16:06

Hi Stephen,

Fantastic picture of this mystic place! Just great...thanks,

Léonie

Yffic (6106) 2006-06-25 6:03

Hi Stephen,

It's a really nice picure.
The skelligs appears like in fantastic movies.
I like the presence of the boat.

That's a great landscape view.

Regards.

Yves