Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral is one of those places that you inevitably pass when exploring the city. For me, it became a familiar landmark during my walks through the old town — always present, always tempting me to capture it in a way that felt different.
The challenge?
Christ Church sits at a busy crossing, right next to Dublinia (the Viking museum), with traffic lights, signs, and constant cars. A straight-on shot never felt quite right. Something was always distracting from the cathedral’s majestic stone architecture and the graceful archway bridging the street.
One evening, coming back from the river, I noticed the streetlights switching on while the sky was still glowing blue. A few buses passed me, and that’s when it clicked: instead of fighting the traffic, I could use it.
The Technique – Long Exposure with Light Trails
To bring the medieval and modern into one frame, I set up my tripod and waited for the next buses to roll by. With a long exposure, their headlights and taillights painted flowing trails through the frame, leading the eye right towards the archway and into the heart of Christ Church Cathedral.
EXIF settings for this shot
Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM5
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 19mm
Long exposure (tripod required)
What I love about this shot is the contrast: the cathedral walls glowing in warm, centuries-old stone, and the futuristic streaks of light symbolizing today’s Dublin in motion. Without the light trails, the photo would feel static. With them, the scene comes alive.
Photographer’s Tips for Light Trail Shots
If you want to try something similar in Dublin (or any busy city):
Use a tripod – stability is key for sharp buildings and smooth light streaks.
Wait for buses – they create thicker, more dynamic light trails than cars.
Balance ambient light – aim for the “blue hour” when city lights are on but the sky isn’t fully dark.
Compose with intent – let the light trails lead the viewer’s eye into the scene rather than just streak across randomly.
Experiment – sometimes you’ll get lucky on the first try, sometimes you’ll need to wait for the right timing.
Visiting Christ Church Cathedral
Beyond the photography, Christ Church Cathedral is one of Dublin’s most fascinating landmarks, with over 1,000 years of history. If you’re visiting the city, make sure to step inside — the crypt is particularly impressive. You can find details for visiting hours and tickets here: Christ Church Cathedral Visitor Information.
Related Dublin Photography
If you enjoy Dublin’s mix of historic charm and vibrant city life, you might also like my capture of the Irish Flag over the Ha’Penny Bridge.
