A group of 13 “Offshooters” travelled to Dungarvan, Co.Waterford for a weekend of seascapes among the beaches and hidden coves of the Copper Coast on 2nd & 3rd March 2013. This event was arranged by Offshoot member Olive Gaughan, who hails from Dungarvan, and Owen O’Grady, a highly acclaimed landscape photographer from Dungarvan. Owen brought the group to 8 different locations, and advised on composition, light, filters, tripods, and many technical issues, as needed at each location.
Owen was assisted by another highly regarded local photographer, Richard Cutbill, whose knowledge of the area was also superb. The locations visited on Saturday were:
- Ballydowane Beach
- Trá na Bó, a short walk from Bunmahon Beach
- Benvoy Beach
- Kilfarrassey Beach
The sky was blank and white at the first two locations, which provided a challenge, but also an opportunity for long exposure B&W images. The sun broke through later, and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset, and gorgeous light, at Benvoy and Kilfarrassey. An exhausted but happy group of Offshooters enjoyed a relaxing and sociable evening at the Park Hotel, before an early start on Sunday morning, departing the hotel at 6.20am in anticipation of sunrise at Ballinclamper beach, just outside Dungarvan.
The dawn was blue and hazy, but a pure red disc of sun rose into the sky and made for some great images – due reward for sacrificing the bed so early! After breakfast Owen and Richard took the group to three more beaches:
- Ballyvooney
- Stradbally Cove
- Garrarus.
It was another hazy day, but the rock formations and interesting coastal landscape provided ample material for more great shots. The group returned to Dublin on Sunday afternoon, with everyone delighted at having taken lots of great images.