Great Outdoors

I have always loved taking pictures of the outdoors and nature. Its just easier then taking photos of people sometimes because they don't talk back usually.

This was taken on a trip down in Kerry along Dingle Peninsula. Just had my camera at the right time.

Taken with the first camera I got, a fuji finepix point and shoot which I still have today. Its been through the wars and never failed me.

©Sarah Townsend

Back To The Future

I found this website and thought that it would be an interesting way to do self portraits if anyone wants to have a gander. I know we are finished them but it doesn't mean we cant improve them if we want to seeing as they are going in our visual diaries. The transition between some of the images is amusing!

http://www.irinawerning.com/bttf2/back-to-the-future-2-2011/

Documerica

I stumbled upon this website with images from the 1970s in America. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) created this documentary project to record the noticeable change in the environment at that time!

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/11/documerica-images-of-america-in-crisis-in-the-1970s/100190/

These are my favorite images from the project.

Origins part 2

This has something to do with my first post. I found these in my archive's and wanted to show them to make people understand what happened that day! When I think about it I was a bit of an eejit not that I'm not one now but I've toned it down a little.

Infront of Town Hall

Wheres Wally?

©Sarah Townsend

USI Student Protest

USI stands for Union of Student in Ireland. On the 16th of November more then 20,000 third level students traveled from all over Ireland to come and march from Parnell Square down O'Connell Street to where they continued on to rally outside Government Buildings on Merrion Street. They were marching to save the grant from the upcoming budget. Some students themselves got up and told their stories about what would happen to them if the grant was taken away from them. Fortunately it was a peaceful enough protest with no violence.

©Sarah Townsend

Dutch Uncles

So tonight I went to see a band with a friend of mine! She got to interview them for a website thats she does regular updates for and got on the guest list. I was her +1 so I was excited to see what their sound was like. I generally like to discover new music when I can. It was their first Irish gig as well.They played in The Academy 2 which is small intimate venue for those who like to get up close and personal to their favourite band. I thoroughly enjoyed it, next time I get a chance to see them I will go for sure. Here is their website http://www.dutchuncles.co.uk/home-page I recommend checking them out!

  

©Sarah Townsend

Woodcarver to the Power of Myth

When I was looking for subject matter for my Leaving Cert portfolio back in April I was told I wouldn't go wrong if I took a visit to Michael Quirk. Michael is a local woodcarver and has been in Sligo for years. In the past I would have walked by the shop countless times always amazed by the figurines in the window. This time around I was going in.

 He told me that he first started out as a butcher and then from the techniques used in that trade he adapted them into woodcarving at a young age. Michael was in the middle of a project in the first photo but took the time out of his own work to make carvings for my friend and I! During this time he would start telling us different myths and legends that have come from Sligo. Both my friend and I (Cellena aka Elfy in the photos below) were there for a good hour with Michael listening to the tales and just generally having a laugh. I am thankful I didn't just walk by the window that day.

Elfy

©Sarah Townsend

Craftfest

I come back home to find that things are covered in wooly substances! Apparently its a month long celebration of all things craft. Artists have been having exhibitions of their different crafts,workshops and talks have been set up in different venues around Sligo to promote people getting involved in making pieces for themselves.

Tour De France

During the Summer I went on holiday to Paris and as it happens we booked the holiday at a good time because the Tour de France was also on. My dad has been a huge fan of the Tour since his youth. But he also did some competitive cycling in Ireland back in his younger years. He was even in a race with Stephen Roche the only Irish man to ever win the Tour de France. But because of this some of the interest has rubbed off on me. The photos I took here are down along the Champs-Élysées. It was the final stage of the Tour where the competitors come into Paris for the finish line. They have to do 6 final laps and then a quick sprint to the finish. It was amazing to see the few that had broken away from the main group and then see the main group come after them. It was definitely a great experience to see it in front of me when I have always seen it on tv.

Waiting...

The breakaways

I was kinda happy to see some other Irish support.

3 things I like Go Pro,Skating and Turbongro. I can't skate though I just love the history of how it all took off with the Z-Boys and Dogtown etc. I commend anyone who can actually do it well but make it look easy!