iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 25/08/2026

Still has that fresh new guitar smell straight out of the box 🎸 Quite impressive the quality of entry level guitars today. #EastCoastGuitars #AndertonsMusic #NewToy #Guitar #ElectricGuitar

A silver telecaster style guitar with black pick guard, still in the cardboard box it arrived in. East Coast guitars name and website on the box.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 30/06/2026

It's going to take a while to get used to waiting for my film to be developed to see my photos again, but a definite vintage vibe from my #KodakGold and #Olympus #OM10 #SLR on the recent trip to Malaga. #FilmIsNotDead

The multi colour cube exterior of the Pompidou Centre Malaga, with a small (about 2m tall) palm tree in the foreground.

A closer view of the multi-coloured panels making up the exterior of the Pompidou Centre Malaga, with reflections of some clouds in a blue sky.

A small white lighthouse in Malaga harbour, framed by some palm trees and a white wooden trellis providing shade for the tourists walking below.

A view of the La Equitiva building in Malaga, viewed from the pedestrianised Calle Larios, near midday with very bright sunlight and blue sky.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 09/06/2026

Choosing colour or black and white for your next photo is a much bigger commitment when you shoot film! #Olympus #OM10 #kodak #agfa #35mm #35mmfilm #filmphotography

A 1980’s Olympus OM10 SLR camera with some rolls of Agfa black and white, and Kodak colour film next to it.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 08/06/2026

Flight may have been two hours late - but an hour from touchdown and made it to the city centre, checked into hotel, and now enjoying wine at a little bar int he centre of Malaga - waiting for my croquettas. 🇪🇸🍷

A glass of white wine on a black table. It is an outside table in a little bar with the lights of city streets in the background.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 22/04/2026

View from my work window - sunset behind the Donegal hills. #sunset #donegal #ireland #shotoniphone

A line of hills to the north west, silhouetted with clouds illuminated by the recently set sun, appearing to glow with reds and oranges.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 16/03/2026

One bonus of Japan to Europe flights routing eastbound, was this view of the sun coming up over Quttinirpaaq National Park (Inuktitut for “land at the top of the world”) in the far north of Canada. #Quttinirpaaq #Canada #Arctic #Travelphotography #Fjord #PlaneWindowPhotos

Blue sky over a frozen landscape. Snow covered mountains on either side of a frozen fjord are illuminated on one side by the low sun.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 13/03/2026

Osaka Castle with plum blossoms. (Like cherry blossoms, but from plum trees #science) Two tigers on each wall of the upper floors represent strength, courage and protection. And a need to make sure you stocked up on crisps because they eat a lot. #osaka #crouchingtiger #japan #travelphotography

A 5 storey padoga style white castle with green roof tiles and gold decoration stands framed by some trees and bushes.

In the foreground a plum orchard with pink blossoms on the trees. High up in the distance the green roof tiles of Osaka Castle are visible before a cloudy sky.

Looking across a large moat, with high walls on the far side. At the top of the walls are a line of trees, behind which stand Osaka Castle, a white building with gold decorations on the outside, and vivid green tiles.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 12/03/2026

Traditional style Japanese restaurant, with small private dining rooms, with some local speciality Kobe beef ready to cook on the hot stone grill. #japan #kobebeef #wagyu #beef #food #travelphotography #nippon #osaka

A small private dining room in a traditional style Japanese restaurant. A semicircular wooden table stands next to a stone wall, and bamboo and paper sliding partitions separate it from the hallway and other rooms.

A photo showing the table, with a round hot stone grill in the background. Beside it is a plate with five slices of raw Kobe beef on a straw bed, next to some onions on wooden skewers, all waiting to be cooked. A white service dish with a selection of dips is next to them.

A close up of two slices of the Kobe beef on a straw bed waiting to be cooked. A wooden label has a red stamp at the top, certifying this is the authentic Kobe version of Wagyu beef the text below translates as Gensen Rosu, ‘premium loin’.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 12/03/2026

Even in the middle of the tourist hotspot of Dotonbori, small traditional shrines can be found. #osaka #japan #nippon #shrine #travelphotography #dotonbori

A small outdoor temple. Dozens of white lanterns with red and black writing hang from the beams above, There are stone pillars along the wall on the left, with wooden prayer boards above them. And a wooden chest in front of a round stone altar in the middle.

A ceramic bowl with incense burners inserted into sand inside it sits on a stone plinth. Behind is a small altar with flowers on either side. And white Japanese lanterns with black and red writing hang above.

A small board in the shrine explains the background: Hozenji Yokocho started as a street where vendors gathered to sell goods to worshippers at Hozenji, a small shrine, during the Edo era. Now there are a lot of stalls where unique restaurants and bars line up at the narrow street covered by stones. Because of the nostalgic atmosphere it has become popular among entertainers and cultured people, and the street is also mentioned in novels and popular songs.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 10/03/2026

Luckily I chose a quiet time to take in the serene and calming sights of Dotonbori, Osaka. #dotonbori #japan #nippon #osaka #travelphotography

A narrow covered shopping street, in the evening with stores all lit up. The street between them is full of people as far as you can see into the distance.

A bright red octopus sign over a store, it is wearing a headband, and is advertising the stores speciality of fried octopus balls by holding a bunch of them in its arms.

Overhead signs in two next door shops, one is a giant samurai head, with a moustache, and baring their teeth, next door the samurai’s hand reaches out holding some sushi. 🍣

A group of people eating in a brightly lit, red painted corner cafe. Over the entrance a large green dragon keeps watch.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 09/03/2026

Japanese Large Billed Crows just want to be your friend, or help you eat your lunch. #crow #birdsofbluesky #japan #nippon #travelphotography #wildlifephotography

A large billed crow standing on a railing next to my table examining whether I have anything tasty it could share.

The crow has moved along the railing to help the next table along to eat faster.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 07/03/2026

Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings one and two. Sort of puts my local council to shame. #tokyo #tokyometropolitangovwrnment #travelphotography #cityscape #japan #nippon

Two 40 plus storey skyscrapers at night, with red, blue and green illuminations.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 07/03/2026

Number two in the series; Bottles on Bars. Izakaya Edition. #tokyo #japan #nippon #travelphotography #izakaya

Sake on Shochu bottles lined up on a bar.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 06/03/2026

The ‘problem’ with Tokyo is that it’s quite easy to end up with slightly more cameras and lenses than you intended. #microfournerds #tokyo #japan #nippon #omsystem #olympus #camerashopping

Three camera on a wooden shelf. A silver and black OM System OM-3, a brown Olympus Pen Lite E-PL8, and in front a tiny red Kodak Charmera.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 05/03/2026

Important to blend in. After only a few hours I don’t think anyone can tell im not actually Japanese with my order of sake and chips. #japan #nihon #sake #mountfuji #fujisan #travelphotography #travel

A plate of French fries with spices sprinkled on them. Behind is a traditional Japanese sake jar and cup. The cup is full of hot sake. There are various items in the background, like a menu and condiments, with Japanese script on them.

A mostly blue image of a clear sky, with some water in the foreground, and the snow covered top of Mount Fuji in the middle of the frame.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 24/01/2026

Common teal duck, barn owls, and a house mouse, all at Wild Ireland - Donegal. #duck #owl #mouse #wildlife #wildlifephotography #WildIreland #ireland #birdsofbluesky

Eurasian (Common) Teal duck in a pond with water falling behind.

Barn owl perched on a wooden beam, looking towards the camera, with white wall behind.

Two barn owls standing together at the top of a wooden ladder, with wooden beams in the roof visible behind them.

A house mouse, sitting with front feet raised to it's mouth, tail off to one side.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 02/01/2026

A good 20 years since I last shot on 35mm… two new (well 40 to 50 year old) toys to start the year. #photography #film #35mm #olympus #OM10 #FED4 #analoguephotography

An Olympus OM10 and a FED4 camera, side by side with a spool of 35mm film in front of them.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 31/12/2025

2025 - a year of international gulls (English, Dutch and Spanish shown here) and an Irish robin. #gulls #travel #travelphotography #birdsofbluesky #robin #spain #netherlands #London #ireland #españa #nederland

A small gull floating on the surface, with a black spot on the side of the head, and back feathers at the tip of their tail.

Two gulls on the surface as another flies over them.

A gull standing on one foot, on the edge of an infinity pool, as the sun sets over Malaga harbour behind them.

A robin perched on some twigs, red breast highlighted by the low sun, clear winter blue sky behind.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 18/11/2025

Rooftop bar - sitting by the infinity pool - sun going down - views of Malaga port with Gibralfaro Castle in the distance. #travel #travellgotography #Spain #España #malaga #thegoodlife #wintersun

View with an infinity pool in the foreground, to the left is a hotel, and on a hill to the right can be seen the remains of the Gibralfaro Castle.

A harbour with some luxury yachts on one side, a small white lighthouse in the middle, and a cruise liner to the right. Blue sky and blue seas.

A wide view showing both Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga harbour with a few clouds in a mostly blue sky. View is seen over an infinity pool from a rooftop bar.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 18/11/2025

Starting the day watching the parakeets coming and going to their beachside palm trees. #spain #españa #malaga #travel #travelphotography

Four palm trees with the sun behind them. The sun is reflecting off the sea, with blue lies and only a few clouds on the horizon.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 16/11/2025

Getting colder and wetter here. Maybe time to pop back to the sunshine, like these very sensible characters in La Malagueta. #malaga #lamalagueta #gatonegro #cat #bee #wintersunshine #travelphotography

A cafe window, with a large black cat with yellow eyes in one frame, facing a smiling bee in the other.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 11/09/2025

25c / 77f outdoor in September. Maybe just a little beer to make the tapas appear. #tapas #travel #photography #travelphotography #Almeria #Spain #España #LeicaLux

Black and white image of a small glass of beer. It is sitting on an outdoor table with some trees and an old stone wall behind it. Text on the image says it was taken using Leica Lux app, in Almeria Spain.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 17/08/2025

Some more close ups of some small tortoiseshell butterflies on the butterfly bush in the back garden. #butterfly #flutterby #butterflybush #buddleja #smalltortoiseshell #wildlife #nature #summer #garden #wildlifephotography

A small tortoiseshell butterfly with wings spread. Wings are mostly orange with black fringing and small specks of blue on the rear edge.

A small tortoiseshell from below - showing more of the black and brown darker lower side of its wing.

A small tortoiseshell with wings spread about to depart from the purple flower of the buddleja plant.

A purple budleja plant flower with a small orange and black butterfly feeding on it.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 17/08/2025

Quick lens change and some close ups of the butterfly bush and some of the small tortoiseshell flutterbys snacking on it. #Butterfly #Flutterby #ButterflyBush #Buddleja #SmallTortoiseshell #Wildlife #Nature #summer #garden #wildlifephotography

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, with reddish orange and black wings on a purple flower, with lots of green foliage in the background. It is a Buddleja plant (known as a butterfly bush). The butterfly is on top of the flower looking to the left with the clubbed antennae and proboscis visible as it snacks on some nectar.

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, with reddish orange and black wings, with blue highlights on a purple flower, with lots of green foliage in the background. It is a Buddleja plant (known as a butterfly bush). The butterfly is on top of the flower looking to the right with the clubbed antennae and proboscis visible as it snacks on some nectar.

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly with orange, black, and blue wings spread open as it rests on the purple flower of a buddleja plant (Butterfly Bush)

Somewhat out of focus shot of a small tortoiseshell butterfly - showing the upper bright orange and black of one wing, and the darker brown and black lower side of the other wing. The curled proboscis stands out with the light.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 17/08/2025

The butterfly bush in the garden is earning its keep today, at least a dozen small tortoiseshells snacking at once. Of course the camera wanted to focus on anything except the butterflies. #Butterfly #Flutterby #ButterflyBush #Buddleja #SmallTortoiseshell #Wildlife #Nature #summer #garden

Three butterflies, with reddish orange and black wings on a purple flower, with lots of green foliage in the background. They are Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies on a Buddleja plant (known as a butterfly bush)

One butterfly, with reddish orange and black wings, showing the much darker underside of the wing, on a purple flower, with lots of green foliage in the background. It is a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly on a Buddleja plant (known as a butterfly bush)

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 07/07/2025

Seagulls and a Sailing Dog from today’s Rotterdam Port Boat Tour. #Rotterdam #Netherlands #Travel #Photography #Travelphotography

Two crew men take orders from a smiling retriever dog with his own boat.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 08/06/2025

Spent an hour virtually pottering around South Africa, from Andrews Field to Capetown, in the @justflight.com P28R Arrow III using Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. #msfs #msfs24 #piper #p28r #virtualtravel #travelphotography

A view from behind a single engine light aircraft as it flys over the water. The coastline is to the right, with some small mountains rising up. The sky has scattered clouds, with the sun is reflecting off the water directly under the aeroplane.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 03/06/2025

San Cugat, Catalonia, Mar 07. Festival in the forest, with the formation of Castells, human pyramids, watched by giant traditional wooden figures. #photography #travel #travelphotography #españa #spain #catalonia #castells #traditions #humanpyramids (forgot to add the tags to the later posts)

A group of people wearing matching green tops prepare to form Castells, human pyramids. One man is having a large length of black material wound tightly around his torso for support

A small child in the green and white traditional outfit reaches the 6th and highest level of the Castell, trees in the background, and large groups of locals in the clearing watching

The large wooden male and female figures on the left look over the heads of the locals, watching another castell forming amid the crowds in the forest.

In a final close up, the two youngest and smallest members of the team are standing on the shoulders of 5 more levels of people, arms in the air waving to the crowds below.

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Brian Dolan @smarterdonkey.net · 03/06/2025

San Cugat, Catalonia, March 2007. Local festival in the nearby forest, with the formation of Castells, human pyramids, watched by giant traditionally dressed wooden figures. #photography #travel #travelphotography #españa #spain #catalonia #castells #traditions #humanpyramids