Along the River Lee: Street Photography Masterclass with Brendan Ó Sé

Join award winning photographer Brendan Ó Sé for a special Masterclass as part of Cork Harbour Festival that will introduce you to the basics of street photography. You will be encouraged to develop your own personal style as you learn the skills to document the River Lee and the Ocean to City - An Rás Mór.

The class will start at the Glucksman Art Museum with an hour-long introduction to mobile and street photography techniques, looking at composition, lighting, timing and editing. This will be followed by a photo walk along the River Lee ending at the Port of Cork, where the Ocean to City race will be taking place.

Photography is a deeply personal practice, allowing us to capture individual moments and develop personal insight. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety as we find ourselves in the moment, as we photograph what has captured our visual attention, or later, when fully immersed in editing our images. Photographing outdoors in nature has additional benefits, with research highlighting the positive effect time in nature can have, including cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.

Brendan Ó Sé is a multi-award-winning fine art photographer/mobile photographer from Cork, Ireland, and Mojofest Photographer of the Year (2018). Brendan utilises over 20 years of teaching experience to help learners maximise their learning potential with his passion for photography. This results in a dynamic, engaging and learning-centred experience for the participants, allowing them to immediately put into practice the tips and techniques that Brendan covers in his workshops.

This class will be delivered in person at the Glucksman, followed by a photo walk through the city to the Port of Cork. Suitable for photographers of all levels, from novice to experienced.

Cork Harbour Festival is a celebration of Cork’s unique maritime heritage as the second largest natural harbour in the world. Festival visitors can explore the history, heritage, and the stunning landscapes of Cork Harbour, as well as the flagship Ocean to City – An Rás Mór, Ireland’s premier long-distance rowing race, on 31 May 2025. From on-the-water adventures to music, art, poetry, workshops, talks and seminars and family-friendly events, there is something for everyone.

Cork Harbour Festival returns, celebrating 10 Years of Maritime Culture, Heritage & Family Fun from 24 May - 2 June 2025 with 100+ amazing events across Cork City & County.