“Capturing Triumph: The Photographer’s Journey to Monumental Success”

A photographer from Bailieborough has achieved recognition with two of his images placed in the top ten of the Wiki Loves Monuments international photography contest.

Oliver Gargan secured the fifth and sixth positions among the top 10 Irish images in this popular contest. With approximately 1300 photographs submitted to the Irish event, it was quite the accomplishment to attain such a high ranking. Oliver’s images will now be among the 10 to represent Ireland in the international stages of the competition.

Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM) is a worldwide annual photography competition that takes place in September, organized globally by Wikipedia community members with support from local Wikimedia affiliates. Participants capture images of local historical landmarks and heritage sites in their areas and upload them to Wikimedia Commons.

The 36-year-old mentioned it was “gratifying” to have his photographic efforts acknowledged.

“Considerable effort goes into it, from capturing the photograph, to editing and uploading the pictures. Anyone who paints, writes, or engages in similar activities would agree it’s always rewarding to see your work succeed. I consistently motivate friends and fellow photographers to participate in contests and challenges.

“In my situation, it required several hours to submit my selected images for this specific contest.”

Those hours were well utilized, particularly at Elphin Windmill in County Roscommon, which secured fifth place. Oliver expresses it “has been on my list for ages.”

“It’s such a unique aspect of Irish industrial architectural heritage, being over 300 years old,” Oliver explains. “Initially, it was utilized for milling corn and other grains and now features a visitor center where the windmill’s mechanisms are showcased. I believe it represents a part of Ireland that’s somewhat overlooked. It’s something one might encounter in another European nation, rather than in County Roscommon.”

When asked what works effectively in the photo of Fore Gate,

in Fore village which secured sixth place, Oliver suspects it was his choice to pursue the less conventional, yet still remarkable, subject.

“The depiction of Fore gate resonated with me, and likely with the judges too, as I believe it’s an aspect of Fore that one would easily overlook while driving past. Fore Abbey is the primary tourist highlight, drawing thousands annually. The historic Fore gate, quite literally, lies at the roadside. It has a sense of recognition, accompanied by the wildflowers flourishing around it. It’s sturdy and has endured the passage of time, standing strong for many centuries.”

Although Oliver has only been passionate about photography for the past ten years, he not only relishes his competitive achievements but is also presently the chair of Breffni Photography Club, which gathers more than 30 members biweekly in Virginia.

“It’s a highly supportive club, featuring a good balance of practical photo-shooting evenings, guest presentations, along with various club contests and outings. We boast a wonderful committee of members.

“The aspiration for the club this year is to maintain a close-knit community of amiable members who feel appreciated and welcomed. Photography has transformed, and some participants may utilize their smartphones, while others might opt for a professional DSLR. However, individuals of all skill levels are embraced and motivated.”

Oliver is passionate about motivating everyone to explore photography.

“I find it personally soothing to grab my camera and explore outdoors. Whether it’s the nearby lake or woods, I cherish taking some additional moments to value what surrounds us, which we often overlook. Frequently, friends and acquaintances reach out to say that their son/daughter/friend has developed an interest in photography in some form.

“I advise them to foster and demonstrate an interest themselves as well. There are abundant online resources/tutorials, and you can gain invaluable insights from YouTube and other platforms. Everyone certainly possesses a creative facet.”