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Capturing the Moment: 20 Photos from a New Year Walk


This was my first walk of the year with my camera. The morning was cold and bright and the overnight frost still lingered in places. The sun was making periodic appearances creating a contrast between light and shade. Otherwise, the light was soft and diffused, perfect for photography.


My walk took me to my local park and woodland – Marlay Demesne - where I knew I would get at least a few photographs.


Marlay Park is approximately 300 acres of suburban public park located about 9 km from Dublin city centre and at the foothills of the Dublin mountains.


Marlay House was built in 1794, replacing an earlier 17th century house. The house has been restored and is open for guided tours.


Marlay House looks out over the demesne which includes a Victorian cottage (Laurelmere Cottage), a lake, boathouse and viewing platform. As well as a substantial wooded area, with many species of trees and plants, Marlay Park contains many of the features of 18th century parks, including a boundary wall, ornate gates, pillars and railings, bridges and waterfalls, as well as a walled garden. The central position in the walled garden is given over to a Regency ornamental garden, while the garden also includes an orangery, arbour, water fountain and restored bothies.


This is my regular photography location, a location for all seasons. On this occasion I took my 17-50mm lens with me, as a change from a prime.


I started off with a wide shot from just inside the courtyard looking back on the house.
I started off with a wide shot from just inside the courtyard looking back on the house.
I then moved back into the courtyard and used the archway as a frame to frame the house.
I then moved back into the courtyard and used the archway as a frame to frame the house.

I continued into the Regency Walled Gardens, where the sun was creating soft shadows. I took some images of the orangery, the arbour and the restored bothies, before making my way to the house, which is in the garden but backs out into the park and serves as the location for a busy and popular tearoom.
I continued into the Regency Walled Gardens, where the sun was creating soft shadows. I took some images of the orangery, the arbour and the restored bothies, before making my way to the house, which is in the garden but backs out into the park and serves as the location for a busy and popular tearoom.
I continued my walk through the park, stopping to admire the frost covered paths and open spaces, before making my way through the woodland. I took a photograph of the miniature railway, some pictures of the Victorian Laurelmere cottage and its views, as well as some close-up window shots.
I continued my walk through the park, stopping to admire the frost covered paths and open spaces, before making my way through the woodland. I took a photograph of the miniature railway, some pictures of the Victorian Laurelmere cottage and its views, as well as some close-up window shots.

 I can't walk in my local park without going into the beautiful woodland. By this time the winter sun was more consistent and I had changed lens to my 18-200mm for variation in focal length.


Some people don't like the dappled shadow effect but I like it, especially in winter.
Some people don't like the dappled shadow effect but I like it, especially in winter.

I used the zoom lens to take 3 different perspectives of the café at the upper end of the park.


I finished with a black and white image taken low to the kerb. The line leads on but the next part of the journey is for another day.
I finished with a black and white image taken low to the kerb. The line leads on but the next part of the journey is for another day.

I hope you like my selection of images.


Why not go out for a New Year walk with your camera today.

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