Wanting to be there.

Short winter days here in Ireland, means either having to work much quicker than usual or having to put 2 days aside rather than one, to get the job done.

Well one of the the job in question this week was at Rosemary’s cottage near Fivemiletown in County Tyrone – which we decided to go to the day before we had planned to shoot it, to see if we could at least make a start.
And I’m very glad we did, because due to the weather it was very dark, even in the middle of the day – but like they say, the show must go on.

Anyway, we decided to kick-off in the sitting room – so after we had moved a few things to where we thought they would work best for the camera, I took my usual first shot…

.. to see how it looked – before adding some directional light…

.. which just didn’t seem right – or should I say, feel right, as it’s that feeling of wanting to be there that we often try to create or capture when doing this type of work.

So while I played around with the lighting, Marie played around with what was in front of the camera – as we both watched it getting darker and darker outside…

.. even though it was still only about 3:30 in the afternoon.

Anyway, leaving the shutter open for about 16 seconds after a blast of light – and this was the result…

.. which we were both very happy with in the end – as it now looked like something you’d see in a magazine – which was obviously our goal here

Anyway, that was it for the day – but at least we had made a start – which was good – and so it was time for a beer in front of the fire, as there was “No work in me” as Marie would often say

Next morning we were up bright & early of course; however, it wasn’t until after 8 before there is​ any real sign of some light – and so it wasn’t until about 9:30 before we really managed to make a start on the kitchen area…

.. by which time help had arrived – as Claudio jointed us…

.. and so we started to move more quickly as a result.

Anyway, 20 minutes later and it was time for Rosemary to smile for the camera…

.. as the rain poured down outside – on what can only be described as a very missable winter’s day here in Ireland.

Still, “the show must go on” as they say – and so with Claudio helping on the lighting, it wasn’t long before we were heading upstairs​ to shoot the bedrooms – which once again were rather dark on a day like this…

.. until Claudio lit them up…

.. and Marie had styled to ‘within an inch of her life’ of course – which she has normally done long before I arrive.

Anyway, that was basically it – and the good news is, that it was all well worth it too, as we got a “yes please” the following day from the Editor of 25 Beautiful Homes magazine, who said they would love to run with it in one of their Spring issues next year

So ​big thanks to Rosemary for inviting us in – and to my team, thank you for all your hard work too – as I know I simply couldn’t do any of this without you guys.

Cheers from me in sunny Ireland, where it only rains about 225 days a year
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With & Without.

Buying online is now the way a lot of people shop and even hotels will say that is the same for them too – so we were back at the Hodson Bay Hotel this week, to shoot their various bedrooms this time – so as to let their guests see what they will be getting for their money, should they choose one type of room rather than another.

So loaded the gear I thought we’d need to use onto one of their trollies…

.. and while I set-up the camera…

.. Marie & Sinéad discussed what they felt would be needed here…

.. to make this ‘Standard double’ bedroom at the rear of the hotel look even more appealing.

So while Sinéad kept a close eye on what was appearing on the screen…

.. Claudio worked on the lighting – and Marie, as usual, worked her magic – which ended up looking like this…

.. after some minor tweaks.

Then it was across the hall to shoot this room…

.. which they call the ‘Lakeview double’ – as one of the hotel’s unique selling points, is that it is stunningly situated on the shores of Lough Ree.

So while Claudio set-up the light outside…

.. Marie and I worked away once again inside – while Sinéad kept a close eye on the images that were appearing on the screen…

.. and the result was this…

.. after we all had finished doing our different things.

Next was the ‘Lakeview twin’ bedroom…

.. which was very similar – bar the fact that it was slightly larger and had two beds rather than just one.

So while I snapped away from the doorway…

.. Sinéad here…

.. and Marie too, made sure that what was in front of the camera looked tickety-boo.

Not sure why I looked so worried here…

.. as the final result…

.. looked great – although I do remember there was some debate over the flowers and lamp on the corner, so I shot it with & without…

.. to be sure to be sure 🙂

The last of the rooms in the original section of the hotel was this…

.. which they called the ‘Family bedroom’.

What did we do before digital, I hear you say – well lots of polaroids were used – but now, of course, we all just look at the screen…

.. as Marie looks at what she needs to do, while I look at what I need to do.

Anyway, being November means the light at 4pm was now fading fast…

.. so I knew we had to keep moving here – but there was a problem…

.. as we could only see 2 beds, due to the middle double bed being about 6 inches higher than the two single beds on either side of it.

So yes Claudio, you will need to put a light outside that window…

.. which wasn’t so easy to do this time – as we were too high up for the lighting stands to be of any use, and there wasn’t a room above us neither – but we will come to that in a minute, as first, we needed to change the beds around.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way”, as they say – so the beds were moved and then once again, thanks to the what can now be done with a digital system – Claudio stepped in to light the room…

.. using the boom arm out the window this time.

And the final result…

.. after spending a bit of time in front of the computer to bring it all together.

Anyway, the following morning we were in the new wing of their hotel…

.. where we had already shot a few of their bedrooms before – and it was where we shot the Bride on the balcony too, which I talked about shooting here: Selling the dream.

So this time it was just what they called the ‘Retreat Standard’ bedrooms that we needed to show – one at the rear…

.. so more studying the screen…

.. which resulted in this…

.. followed by a quick change…

.. which results in this…

.. to show what the same room would look like on the lakeside​ – as that view of Lough Ree is pretty stunning.

With & without a view, as that is the thing that will make a big difference to what their customers will be willing pay them here for the use of a room – which is a bit like me saying: With & without my team – as that is the thing that will make a big difference here too, as to how much my clients will be willing to pay me for the use of my images

Anyway, that was it – time to pack the wagon…

.. as we were all bedroomed out, in more ways than one

So just like to say a big thanks to everyone at the hotel who was involved here, and especially to Sinéad for putting up with us all once again – from Marie, Claudio & me @ ampimage.com near the Irish town of Athlone.

Cheers,
Ashley.