Small Camera, Big Landscapes.
Why the GoPro is my modern pocketable wide-angle for the West of Ireland.
There’s a specific freedom in hiking the West of Ireland with a kit that doesn’t demand your constant attention. I’ve always been drawn to smaller tools, the pocketable simplicity of a film point-and-shoot or the unique frames of a half-frame, and the GoPro fits that philosophy perfectly. It’s often overlooked for stills, but on previous hikes through the Burren and up Diamond Hill, it was the ideal way to capture the massive scale of the landscape without the friction of a traditional setup.
Unlike a phone, the GoPro isn’t a distraction; there are no notifications or emails to pull you out of the moment. It’s a dedicated tool that keeps you in the hike. By shooting handheld in RAW, I get an ultra-wide field of view that fits in my pocket but still has the file depth to handle those moody Atlantic clouds in post. It stays out of the way and lets me actually enjoy the scenery while I’m documenting it.
You are absolutely right … a few years ago I was in Nerja and like a noob believed the weather forecast … so went out without a camera … apart from GoPro .. and of course the storm light that lasted a few minutes was incredible … take I had the little box of wide fun at my fingertips … beautiful images
Who knew? Now I have to check out the Go Pro. Very nice shots.