Photographing in Dublin

buzzby26

Hi all, Im new to this and just looking for some info on shooting in Dublin at night time???? I was wanting to shoot some of the landmarks at night time and was just woundering how safe it safe it is??? Thank's for all your help

pixbyjohn

I suggest that you get a couple of friends or other photographers to go along with you. Dublin is a safe enough place but it is always better to be with a group at night whilst shooting. Down along the Liffey is a great spot for night photography. Grand Canal Dock also.
I took these last Thursday night with a group from Greystones Camera Club

Dublin's Famine Statues by pixbyjohn, on Flickr


Conference Centre and Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin by pixbyjohn, on Flickr

ScumLord

pixbyjohn wrote: »

I suggest that you get a couple of friends or other photographers to go along with you. Dublin is a safe enough place but it is always better to be with a group at night whilst shooting.

That's not always true, groups are loud and draw attention to themselves. Where one person can slip by unnoticed everybody knows a group is coming and the confidence of the group will mean people are not being shy with their gear.

I was in Dublin a few weeks ago, I had to wait from 4am to 9am in the city centre on a week day. There isn't a soul on the streets between 4 and 5am.

pixbyjohn

ScumLord wrote: »

That's not always true, groups are loud and draw attention to themselves. Where one person can slip by unnoticed everybody knows a group is coming and the confidence of the group will mean people are not being shy with their gear.

I was in Dublin a few weeks ago, I had to wait from 4am to 9am in the city centre on a week day. There isn't a soul on the streets between 4 and 5am.

You could be right but there is safety in numbers. Any night photo walks I went on were always with people who were of a quiet nature. I have been on 9 such walks.
I would never advise that a photographer goes alone at night, just a sensible precaution in my opinion.

ScumLord

pixbyjohn wrote: »

You could be right but there is safety in numbers. Any night photo walks I went on were always with people who were of a quiet nature. I have been on 9 such walks.
I would never advise that a photographer goes alone at night, just a sensible precaution in my opinion.

It would be yes and I'm basing my point on what I experienced while travelling around Europe. Groups got picked on, robbed, harassed and even beaten up. I never had any trouble when I was on my own but in a group in Latvia we had bottles thrown at us. It's more a case of picking on tourists maybe.

LeoB

I would agree largely with Pixbyjohn on this. Dublin is fairly safe but I would no go alone at night with camera gear. Have ben in Dublin quite a bit at night but always with friends from my camera group and never any hassle. If someone is loud and noisey then you could draw attention to yourself but I have never experienced this myself.

What the op could do is put up a request for a photo walk along the quays. I went on one of these organised by SinsterDexter which Pixbyjohn was on and found it great to get tips off the more experienced photographers.

Stephen P

The Institute of Photography organise monthly free Dusk Shoots in different locations in the city. There's usually a large group and it's quite safe.

amdgilmore

Even on your own you'll mostly be fine as long as you know the city. The places that you don't like wandering into during the day are the same places you shouldn't wander into at night (just increase the size of the exclusion zone by about 500m).

No offence to anybody living in these areas, but there are obviously places in Dublin that are infamous for harbouring a certain element. Places like Donnybrook, Ranelagh, Malahide, Ballsbridge etc - hives of scum and villainy, as somebody once said.

Give them a wide berth.

AnCatDubh

Personally, i've had no problems day or night (I shoot only occasionally in the city) but have a read here.

buzzby26

Thank's for the advise. I think I will chance it some time next week. Been wanting to try and get some of the shots for ages, so keep your fingers crossed for me

AlizeHall

I think it's safe. A friend of mine visited the place and it's really blooming at night. If you're worried about it, bring alone one person with you. Someone who's close to you. At least, you can spend time together and at the same time, it is much safer if you have someone with you. Will be looking forward to all your shots!

Strawberry Swan

I've been taking photographs for years in Dublin at night time and have never had any problems. Sometimes I would become so engrossed in taking shots that I wouldn't notice who is around me or that it is getting dark and I should leave the area. Those are my worst mistakes. Take care of who is around you at all times. If you can shoot with another person then all the better but it's not a license to go into dodgy areas.