Photonique

• Murals By Shane Sutton On Dorset Street
• Umbrellas And Industrial Wheelie Bins
• Two Sculptures By Edward Delaney
• Papal Cross At Phoenix Park
• The Magazine Fort At Phoenix Park
• OpenAI’s European Headquarters
• The City Arts Centre And Decades Of Dereliction On City Quay
• Sphere Within Sphere By Arnaldo Pomodoro
• A Vibrant Mesoamerican Dialogue At Trinity College
• This Is Not A Generic Red Metal Sculpture
• Modernist Form In College Park By Gerda Frömel
• Unveiling Failing Better
• Sculpture By Henry Moore At Trinity College

TODAY I EXPLORED DORSET STREET

THE LEGACY CATALOG

* In The Year 2008 * In The Year 2011 * In The Year 2017 * Henrietta Back In 2010

Swans And Foxes By Shane Sutton

Urban Wildlife in High Contrast: Shane Sutton’s Canal Swans & City Fox

• Along the canal corridor where Lower Dorset Street meets the Royal Canal towpath, a pair of striking monochromatic murals transforms a routine urban commute into an outdoor gallery. Created by Dublin artist Shane Sutton, these large-scale pieces showcase local wildlife claiming space within the built environment.

The Royal Canal Murals

• The Royal Canal Swans: Stretched across the boundary wall along the pedestrian and cycleway, this massive 2025 piece captures swans taking flight from the water in explosive, high-contrast detail. Signed and dated "Shane Sutton '25", the monochrome palette gives dramatic depth to the spray of water and feather textures against raw concrete.

• The City Foxes: Positioned across the way on the side wall near the Dorset Street Bridge / St. Vincent de Paul side wall (59 Dorset Street Lower), City Foxes serves as the companion piece. Rendered in the same razor-sharp black-and-white style, the prowling fox highlights Sutton's ongoing exploration of urban fauna adapting to Dublin's cityscapes.

Shane Sutton

• While Shane Sutton is widely recognised for his stencil-heavy "Spacer" / Astronaut series—where helmeted figures explore urban canvas landscapes—his "Dublin Black and White" series shifts focus toward organic movement and local ecosystems. His technique combines precise stencil work with fine spray-paint gradients to make high-contrast subjects pop against dark, atmospheric backgrounds.

• Shane is an highly skilled artist with a fervent passion for multiple disciplines, including traditional painting, film-making, and street art. His diverse range of talents spans various mediums, and his current focus is on street, canvas, and digital art, which he explores through his street art persona, SPACER. Shane’s work embodies the intersection of art and technology, producing technically resonant works that delve into themes and ideas in innovative and unexpected ways.

• Shane’s notable achievements include an art residency with the European Space Agency (ESA UK) and winning the Graffiti without Gravity street art competition with the ESA (Holland). As a painter, he has created a body of work that explores a wide range of subjects, from the impact of technology on our lives to themes within the street art genre. Shane’s contributions to film have also garnered significant recognition, with multiple awards from international film festivals and a nomination for best editing at the Irish Film and Television Awards.

Shane Sutton at Waterford Walls

For those, including myself, planning to visit the Waterford Walls festival starting in a few days from now.

• Festival Participation: Shane Sutton was an official featured artist for the Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival.
• Mural Location: His designated piece is located at 137 Morrison's Road, Waterford (Postcode: X91 Y3EK).
• Subject Matter: In contrast to the natural wildlife theme along the Royal Canal, his Waterford Walls piece features his signature "Spacer" astronaut motif, which was also integrated into the festival's digital augmented reality (AR) app trails.

The Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival runs from Friday, 7 August to Sunday, 16 August 2026. Over these ten days, more than 70 local, national, and international artists will paint large-scale murals across Waterford City.

Daily Ongoing Activities (7–16 August)

• Live Painting across the City: Artists will be working in public throughout the ten days, allowing visitors to watch murals develop in real time.
• The Festival Hub: Open daily as the central gathering space, featuring live painting, DJs, a licensed bar, and outdoor entertainment.
• Guided Walking Tours: Regular guided tours exploring the developing and past mural locations throughout the city centre.
• Trail Maps: Physical maps for self-guided walks are available at Waterford Tourist Information, Number 21 on The Glen, and Luca Records.

Key Scheduled Events & Highlights

• Tuesday, 11 August
• Film Screening: Martha: A Picture Story
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Venue: Waterford Gallery of Art
• Details: A special screening documenting photographer Martha Cooper and her iconic photography capturing 1970s New York graffiti culture.

Saturday, 15 August

• Annual Waterford Walls Street Party & Breaking Showcase
• Location: Thomas Street Pocket Park
• Details: The flagship street culture event featuring live painting, breakdancing battles (Recession Squad showcase), freestyles, cyphers, DJs, and family entertainment throughout the day.

Artist Talks & Panel Discussions

• Artist Talk with Mr Cenz: London-based artist Mr Cenz shares insights into his career, signature surreal portraits, linework, and graffiti lettering, followed by a live audience Q&A.

Interactive Workshops

• Kids Graffiti Workshop (Ages 12–18): Hands-on spray painting, lettering, and mural marking guided by experienced street artists.
• Adults Graffiti Workshop: Beginners' sessions covering composition, lettering styles, and spray-can techniques.
• Draw & Dine Experiences: Social creative evenings hosted alongside local venue partners throughout the festival week.

About The SVP

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) was founded in Ireland in 1844. It is the largest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. During its history, it has helped people in need through Famine, a Civil War, a War of Independence, two World Wars and several economic recessions.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP or SVdP or SSVP) is an international voluntary organisation in the Catholic Church, founded in 1833 for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor.

Innumerable Catholic parishes have established "conferences", most of which affiliate with a diocesan council. Among its varied efforts to offer material help to the poor or needy, the Society also has thrift stores (charity shops in Ireland such as Vincent's) which sell donated goods at a low price and raise money for the poor. There are a great variety of outreach programs sponsored by the local conferences and councils, addressing local needs for social services.

My Visits To Waterford

• Mural By Sonny Sundancer Photographed 2021
• Mural By Dan Leo 2 Park Road Waterford
• Mural By Mr Cenz Photographed August 2021
• Waterford Murals Photographed July 2018
• Sonny Sundancer Working On His Mural August 2017
• Mural By Alex Seenna Waterford Walls 2023 Photographed 2025
• A Scribble Grid In Action August 2025
• Animalitoland From Argentina Featured In The 2018 Festival
• Flowers On The Street By Lula Groce Waterford Walls 2017
• Nerone The Artist And His Art
• The History Of The Mural By Maker And Land
• Laura By Taquen Waterford Walls 2019
• The Same But Different By Zabou
• Off The Hook Was A Work In Progress When Photographed In August 2025
• What Are You Waiting For By Kitsune Jolene
• May 2016 Visit To Waterford
• Waterford August 2017

Railway Stations

* Clontarf Railway Station * Docklands Railway Station * Malahide Railway Station

Recommended Photo Galleries

• Shalom Park In Cork
• Lyreen River And Linear Park
• Walled Garden In Maynooth
• Botanic Gardens In Belfast
• My Visits To Phoenix Park
• Man And Dog Sculpture At Cork University Campus
• Many Years Of Sculpture In Context
• Public Art As Photographed In 2024
• Examples Of Public Art 2023 Catalog
• Annie Lee Tower And Bridge
• The Clock Tower And The Walled Garden
• Northside Dublin
• Formally Known As The Irish Suzhou Garden At St Anne's Park
• St Ann's Holy Well At St Anne's
• St John The Baptist Cemetery In Clontarf

Our Equipment Choices

In July 2026 I received A Godox iT30Pro L for my Leica Q3 and I also received A Godox iT30Pro S for my Sony A1 II and Sony A7RVI. I will discuss the Leica version here.

The Godox iT30Pro L is Godox's ultra-compact, dedicated TTL mini speedlite designed for Leica camera systems. Weighing a mere 120 g, it provides a portable, modern lighting solution for Leica M, Q, and SL series bodies without disrupting the balanced ergonomics of rangefinders or compact cameras.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

• Guide Number (GN): 15 m (at ISO 100) / ~49.2 ft
• Flash Output Range: 1/1 to 1/128 (in 1/3 EV increments)
• Exposure Modes: Leica TTL, Manual (M), Multi-Stroboscopic
• Sync Modes: High-Speed Sync (HSS up to 1/8000s), 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain
• Wireless Radio: Built-in 2.4 GHz Godox X System (Transmitter & Receiver; 32 Channels, 4 Groups)
• Display & Controls: 2.8" Full-Colour Touchscreen + Tactile Rear Scroll Dial
• Power Supply: Built-in 7.2V / 900 mAh Li-ion battery (USB-C rechargeable)
• Recycle Time & Battery Life: ~1.5 seconds full power; ~560 full-power flashes per charge
• Dimensions & Weight: 65 × 46 × 47 mm; 120 g
• EU Price Range: ~€100 – €110 (slightly higher than the €85–€89 variants for Canon/Nikon/Sony due to Leica shoe configuration)

Technical Review: Pros, Cons & Forum Insights

The Pros

• True Leica TTL Integration: Unlike previous manual mini flashes (such as the Lux Junior or iM30), the "L" version communicates directly with Leica's TTL metering system, yielding accurate auto-exposures.
• Integrated Godox 2.4 GHz X System: Functions as both a wireless Master/Transmitter (to trigger off-camera AD200s or V1s) and a wireless Receiver (controllable via a Godox X3-L trigger).
• Incredible Form Factor: At 120 g, it sits unobtrusively on top of an M10, M11, or Q3 without making the setup top-heavy.
• Built-in Wide/Normal (WN) Diffuser Switch: A mechanical side switch flips a built-in diffuser panel across the flash lens to soften direct light and widen beam coverage.
• Li-ion Convenience: USB-C direct charging eliminates the need for carrying spare AA/AAA batteries in your kit bag.

The Cons & Things to Be Aware Of

• Touchscreen Sensitivity (Crucial User Warning): A frequent complaint across user forums is that the 2.8" touchscreen is overly sensitive. Carrying the camera on a shoulder strap often leads to accidental power level changes or mode switches unless the screen lock is engaged.
• Fixed Flash Head: The flash head cannot tilt or swivel. You cannot bounce light off ceilings or side walls without removing the flash from the camera or using an off-camera TTL cable/trigger.
• Tight Leica Hot Shoe Tolerances: Leica hot shoes (notably on M film bodies and digital M models) feature tight mechanical tolerances. Ensure the quick-release foot is fully pushed into the shoe until it clicks, otherwise the TTL pins may lose contact.
• Modest Power Output: With a Guide Number of 15 m at ISO 100, this flash is designed for close-range street fill, environmental portraits, or indoor fill-in. It will not overpower harsh direct midday sunlight across long distances.
• Internal Non-Removable Battery: Once depleted, you must plug the flash into a USB-C power bank rather than swapping in fresh batteries.

Ideal Settings & Step-by-Step Setup

Recommended Operational Settings

• Street / Environmental Fill-Flash: Set mode to Leica TTL, with Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) set between -1.0 EV and -1.6 EV. This brightens shadow areas under eyes or hats while retaining natural ambient light.
• Low-Light / Indoor Portraits: Set mode to Manual (1/16 to 1/64 power), slide the WN switch to "W" (Wide) to deploy the wide-angle diffusion panel, and keep subject distances within 1.5–3 metres.
• Bright Sunlight / Open Aperture Shooting: Enable HSS (High-Speed Sync) on the flash so your Leica can sync up to 1/8000s shutter speed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mount and Lock to Hot Shoe: Mechanical setup. Turn off both camera and flash. Press and hold the quick-release lock button on the iT30Pro L base, slide the foot fully into the Leica hot shoe until seated, and release the button to secure the pin mechanism.

2. Power On and Select Exposure Mode: Initial settings. Power on the flash using the dedicated side power switch. Tap the top-left mode icon on the touchscreen to toggle between TTL (for automatic metering) or M (for manual power control).

3. Adjust Diffuser Position: Light quality setup. For focal lengths wider than 35 mm or close-up subjects, slide the side WN switch to "W". This drops the internal diffuser in front of the flash tube to broaden coverage and soften shadows.

4. Configure Exposure Compensation / Power: Fine-tuning output. In TTL mode, use the physical rear scroll wheel to dial in -1.0 EV FEC for natural fill. In Manual mode, spin the dial to set your desired output fraction (e.g. 1/32).

5. Engage Touchscreen Lock: Essential step. Long-press the lock icon on screen or press the quick-lock function to lock the touchscreen interface. This prevents accidental setting changes while shooting on location.

Why Are Official Leica-Branded Flashes So Expensive?

While the Godox iT30Pro L retails brand new for ~€100 – €110, official Leica-branded speedlites command a substantial price premium.

Pricing Context (EU Market)

• Godox iT30Pro L: ~€105 (New)
• Leica SF 40: ~€380 – €430 (Used / Pre-owned only — Discontinued by Leica; originally retailed at ~€510 new)
• Leica SF 60: ~€600 (New — Currently Leica's primary active entry-level speedlite)

Key Reasons for the Leica Price Premium

1. Rebadged OEM Partnering & Licensing Fees: Leica does not manufacture flash electronics in-house. Their SF series speedlites are re-engineered units produced by Japanese manufacturer Nissin (for example, the SF 40 is based on the Nissin i40, and the SF 60 on the Nissin i60A). Leica pays licensing fees for custom camera-to-flash communication protocols and redesigned outer casings, which inflates end-user costs.
2. Discontinuation and Availability Premium: Because smaller models like the SF 40 have been discontinued, users seeking an official compact Leica flash must either compete on the second-hand market or buy the significantly larger and costlier SF 60.
3. Low Volume Production: Leica operates on vastly smaller production runs than mass-market lighting brands like Godox. Fixed tooling and software engineering costs are spread across far fewer total units sold.
4. Brand Equity & Build Consistency: Leica gear carries an overhead markup tied to brand positioning, strict quality control standards, long-term servicing support, and aesthetic matching for anodized metal camera finishes.
5. Physical Capabilities: Larger OEM units like the SF 60 offer a tilting/swivelling head, motor-zooming reflectors up to 200 mm, and higher output power (GN 60). However, for compact travel and street shooting, the Godox iT30Pro L matches or exceeds them in pure convenience, radio ecosystem integration, and overall value.