An Post

The recent postal strikes have me thinking about post boxes in Ireland. One of the last remnants of the british Empire in Ireland. Irish postboxes are all green, but some of the older ones are the British ones and 'VR' and 'GR' are there for all to see.
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Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

GPO, Dublin, Ireland

GPO, Dublin, Ireland

Project 52 ... 38

This is Pal.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, Sb 800 camera right

Pal is a Shotokai College instructor in Shotokai Karate. On Saturday mornings you can find him sharing his knowledge, wisdom, wit and experience with children. A difficult task, he has the ability to bring the best out in his students and is always finding new and exciting ways to progress. A huge asset to the karate community and I know I am not alone in hoping that he continues to teach. Here he is practising kata.

A kata is a series of moves strung together and practiced in a set way. On a superficial level a kata is a physical exercise to learn to string together various moves; on a deeper level it is harmonizing the body with the mind and all around it.

A simple shot. I had an SB800 flash, no modifiers, on a VAL (voice activated lightstand - Katy, thanks Katy) to camera right and out of view. I dropped the ambient about a stop and then lit Pal, tweaking the power output on the flash until i was happy with the result.

Happy Diwali

Diwali, the celebration of the homecoming of Rama after exile; the Festival of Light, it is celebrated by fireworks.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f8, 5 seconds,

handheld, ISO 100

I took this grab shot when we rushed out back after hearing the fireworks explode into the sky. And what a sight they were. Our neighbours back garden was awash with light.

Come out into the Universe of Light,

Everything in the Universe is yours,

stretch out your arms and embrace it with Love.

                                          Swami Vivekanandra

Project 52 ... 37

Say hello to Ann.

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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, SB800, shoot thro' camera left,

Vivitar 285 gridspot camera right

I have known for a short time but in that time have come to know how much she does for the local community. Here Ann is doing a jigsaw puzzle, no big deal, right? But it is when you add the next one and the next one and then find out its so that when they are sold on in charity shops they are full and correct and thats all thanks to Ann! She must have the patience of a Saint! A lovely lady she is always there with a smile and is also a great hostess.

For this shot I set up the SB800 in a shoot through umbrella to Ann's left and a Vivitar 285 with a gridspot to her right.

Thank you Ann, for having patience to sit for me, but I suppose if you have the patience to do jigsaw puzzles then me taking twenty minutes to set up and photograph you is a dawdle!