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Beach and clouds #1

Wet beach with reflected clouds at Achill Island, Ireland

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The story behind this image

On the coffee table of the holiday cottage Liz and I were staying in County Clare in the west of Ireland was a brochure entitled 'Places to Visit in County Clare'.

Flicking through it I came across a page dedicated to Achill Island, which was classed as an unspoilt beauty spot on the Atlantic coast. Accompanying the glowing text were stunning photographs showing sun drenched beaches and azure seas.

Wow - I thought - I've got to see this and hopefully get some cracking photos like the ones I saw in the brochure. Well I'm nothing if not optimistic!

Arriving at Achill Island in the wind and drizzle, following a stop at the village of Cong (see earlier photos in this gallery), we were tempted just to turn around and go back to our cottage. However, having driven a couple of hours just to get here I was determined to make something of the place so out Liz and I ventured, clad in cagouls and bobble hats, to brave the elements.

This picture is one of just a few I managed to take in-between showers, and although it looks nothing like those I saw in the brochure, I rather like it. It's certainly more representative of the real weather here in Ireland than the advertisments would have you believe!

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Image data


Filename - beach clouds 01.jpg

Camera - Canon 5D

Lens - 24-105mm zoom @ 28mm

Exposure - 1/640sec @ f11, ISO200

Location - Achill Island, Ireland

This image - 640x800px JPEG

Conversion - ACR & PS-CS2

Comments - 2 stop ND grad filter and 2 stops underexposure used to retain detail in the sky and reflection.