It’s a chapter in our history we’ll never forget.

While there are many people who haven’t ventured beyond their own neighbourhood since last March, local photographer Brendan O’Sé has been capturing many a missed moment on his trusty iPhone.

From a masked child wearing a communion dress to the beaming smile of a bearded Cork gent and a lone dancer on a deserted city street, the photographer’s images celebrate the magic of the everyday during various stages of the restrictions and lockdown, at times when it felt like there was very little magic to be found.

“I don’t set out with a plan or objective in mind,” Brendan told Yay Cork.

“I like to be open to react to the visual elements of light, scene and characters. Give me good light, interesting backgrounds and the interplay of human interaction and I am happy.”

The Bishopstown-based creative says his subjects rarely have an objection to being photographed. In fact, most are simply curious:

“I have been shooting street for many years now, and I would say I am a good judge of character and scene and honestly I have never had anyone get angry with me. Very often I will show people the photograph I have made and usually offer to email them the shot.”

Here are ten of our favourite candid shots of Cork people:

 

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A multi-award-winning fine art and mobile photographer, Brendan’s work has been exhibited everywhere from Cork to Jakarta and featured in countless print magazines, including The New Yorker.

Using either the iPhone, Fuji XT-2 or a Nikon D7000, his efforts to see and create in unusual ways results in some unique imagery. Back in April of 2020, Brendan organised a couple of online workshops with the Gallery of Photography for the ISPCC, raising over €5,000.

“Since then my workshops have all been online and, you know, it is great. People need a creative outlet at this time, and everyone has a smartphone camera and photography is such a great hobby.” he said.

The next available workshop bookings are for the May dates, which you can check out here.