Well, this last month or so has been a very busy one. In my part , thankfully to the Rugby World Cup. To Explain – My work with the Nenagh Guardian normally keeps me occupied at weekends at a comfortable pace. However during this last period, the main Photographer, Bridget , was down under covering the Rugby World Cup ; which meant that I would step in her shoes to some degree and therefore my work at GAA matches around the County practically doubled. This was most welcome to me and I got to cover my first All Ireland Final at Croke Park, Dublin. I had the privilege to cover the Minor Final in which Tipperary Minor Football team played Dublin and won a great victory at Croke Park. As a sports photographer, so far, this was one of my highlights in my Career. Having checked my accreditation I was pointed to a corner of the ground, beside Hill 16 and a bunch of other Photographers busily checking their equipment. All very friendly and we commenced to Shoot the game with our long lenses. During the final minutes of the game, I noticed that one of the players was appearing larger than normal in my lens and continued in my direction until ( Too late to react), he was in the laps of the Photographers with me as the main recipient. This was caught on TV and watching the recording of the incident the commentator commented, ” Getting up close and personal with the Snappers ) ! Guess it’s all part of the job.
So there you have it . A busy Snapper of late. Very enjoyable from a photographers point of view. The only downside of my work of late,has been the appalling weather here in Ireland. Last weekend, I believe that record rainfall has drenched the Country , in particular the East Coast. Sadly this has been at a cost, not only in flooding damage to properties and property, but in life. A young Garda was swept away to his death in County Wicklow whilst, he was helping his community in warning others of the danger at a nearby Bridge . He was lost downriver and later his body recovered some time later the following morning. My thoughts go to his family and friends. There was another tragic victim to the flooding in Dublin , when a women was trapped in a her basement flat after heavy rainfall. I understand the lady was a Filipino born Irish Citizen who worked in a Hospice locally. Dreadful.
As for Photography in these conditions, the Camera is protected from the elements by its weather sealing. As a Professional level Camera, the Canon 1ds Mk3 is designed to continue working in all conditions. I do not suppose that it is Waterproof, as in underwater photography, but, in wet and rainy conditions, so far at least, it has done its duty well (apart from Misting up on the outside of the lens and fogging the image) However , for peace of mind I use an external protective cover. This fits around the Camera Body and lens allowing operation of the camera in harsh conditions in the full knowledge that there is no penetration of water through to the Camera or Lens. My actual cover is manufactured by a company called ” Think Tank Photo” The covers a slightly expensive, although when you consider the equipment that you are protecting may be in excess of Ten Thousand Euro, then it makes sense to Operate ” Safe Camera All weather Shooting” I sometimes refer to mine as a ” Camera Condom” !! In my case the Camera is around 5K and the 300mm 2.8 lens another 5K.. A Wise investment I think.
So this brings me to the end of this particular Blog update. I do hope that I am not typing to myself and would be MOST GRATEFUL , if any reader that stumbles upon my post could just ” Comment” on the thread and let me know . Bye for now…