Originally from Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim, I am a photographer based in Midleton, Co, Cork, Ireland. I've always been interested in photography, but took it up seriously about 9 years ago. At that point, I found it both an escape from a busy schedule and a creative outlet compared to a working life dictated by logic, processes and deadlines. My camera became my constant companion on early morning and late evening walks, a time when the light is often beautiful and nature seen at its best. Through picture taking, I began to look at my surroundings differently, looking at details in the landscape and picking out shapes.

I use the medium of black and white exclusively. With black and white, there is always a degree of interpretation, as we do not see in monochrome. A monochrome picture can appear more dramatic or moody than the equivalent colour photo might. It also distills the scene to the essential elements within it - the shapes and textures that represent the subject.

Much of my work are long exposures ranging from seconds to several minutes. This is often a necessity of the time at which I take the photos, but also something I try to use creatively. With long exposures, movement is either accentuated or for very long exposures, movement is smoothed out altogether. Where movement is obvious, it can be used to draw the viewer into the scene, while where movement has been removed, it emphasizes the shapes and textures of the static elements of the scene.

Many of my photos are seascapes and woodland scenes. I am fascinated with the sea despite (or perhaps because of) having a terrible fear of water. The sea has a terrible beauty, being both calming and yet powerful and dangerous. With the woodlands, I find it’s the opposite. I think nothing of walking in the woods before dawn or after dusk and yet many people regard them as forbidding places to be avoided except in the middle of the day. Rivers and lakes are also a draw for me - again its the attraction of the water.

I am primarily self taught, having taken a short evening course about 10 years ago. I use a variety of cameras, both film and digital and all of my work is printed digitally using pigment on fibre based photo paper. I'm a member of the Leitrim Design House, recognised by the Craft Council of Ireland as Ireland's premiere craft and design gallery. I'm also a member of East Cork Camera Group having been vice chair last year.

I live in Midleton, Co. Cork having moved from Dublin with my wife and family (3 sons now aged 7 years, 4 years and 1 year) 6 years ago. In my day job, I work as a a manager in a small software company.

Please take some time to view the gallery for samples of my work. Alternatively, for a geographical view, you can browse the photos overlaid on a map. All prints are open editions and available for purchase. The photographs are taken on traditional black and white film and more recently digitally on a variety of equipment. Where film is used, the negatives are scanned and printed digitally, while digital photos are converted to black and white. All prints are printed using pigment inks for a genuine black and white print.

I exhibit my work regularly, with a recent solo exhibition at the NSC, Cork from 24th of November 2008 to 7th of January, 2009. Previous solo exhibitions  have been on show at the Fusion Restaurant, Crosshaven, Co Cork. My work is also regularly exhibited at East Cork Camera Group exhibitions. Details of these will appear here soon.

To contact Adrian, click here.