Double Flow

Everyone heads to Powerscourt, but if you want the magic without the crowds, point your car towards the Glenmalure Valley. I took this shot at Coolalingo Waterfalls the other week, and the winter light was doing all the hard work for me.

Because the valley is so deep, the light here is often soft and diffused—perfect for smartphone photography. I shot this using the Pixel's 'Long Exposure' mode, which is honestly a cheat code for waterfalls; it mimics a slow shutter speed without needing a tripod.

Editing Tip: When I pulled this into Snapseed, the water was already looking silky, but the rocks looked a bit flat. I used the 'Selective' tool to boost the Structure and Contrast just on the mossy areas. It separates the dark, heavy textures from the flowing water, giving the image that punchy, 3D look.