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RTE’s Rebellion, some of the buildings it was filmed in


Many of us have tuned in over the last few Sunday nights to watch “Rebellion” RTE’s latest period drama. Based around the 1916 Easter Rising the story is a drama rather than a documentary and sections of it were filmed inside two really interesting period homes that I was asked to photograph last year. The homes were side by side and both in various levels of decay. They were 2 family homes of the Guinness Family, one built around the 1850s and the other build just after the turn of the century. So for those of you who would like to see a little bit more of these spectacular homes, here you go:

The North house, built around 1908:

The South house, built around 1850:

As a commercial photographer who specialises in architecture, interiors, construction and hospitality, I am lucky enough to get to see some really interesting homes and buildings. However this was one of the most interesting homes I have ever been lucky enough to have photographed.

Architectural photography at night or in twilight


I love the look of architectural photography at night time or more specifically during twilight and as it is getting dark. It can create great marketing images, bringing out the “I want” in a person, “I want to live there”, “I want to stay there”, etc. It allows the photographer add light to create the look the client desires or that he / she is looking for. There is a magic time when the light inside and out is just nicely balanced.

However only sometimes is it as simple as clicking and the final image is produced. Often in Dublin as with the rest of Ireland the weather does not play ball. Sometimes the building is not completed. On occasion the lights do not work properly or the tree is covering the foreground with leaves.

Here is the rear of a very nice home in Dublin:

Architectural photograph. this is a single exposure of the rear of a house in Dublin at twilight.

Architectural photograph. this is a single exposure of the rear of a house in Dublin at twilight.

Clearly this is not an image that makes you think “wow, I want”

So some light Light has to be added:

Light painted architectural exterior

Light painted architectural exterior

It is still not just there. The eye is drawn to the scaffolding. The garden look untidy. While the inside does not look perfect. Now has to be fixed up in photoshop:

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Architectural photo of the rear of a home in Dublin Ireland.

This is the modern version of light painting. In this case I control the camera remotely, and walk through the scene adding light to elements that I want highlighted. This is done over multiple exposures, for example one exposure may be for the tree having light added, the next exposure might be for the grass, and another photo may be for the exterior of the home. Here is a short video to show how it comes together.

Architectural and Interiors Photography – Behind the Scenes


Over the coming months I intend to publish a few blog posts showing some of what goes on behind the scenes when creating the final image for the client. Architectural and Interiors Photography allows businesses make a first impression on future clients and tell them a story about their service, product, property or business. a great image can really help make the right impression.

Here is a simple before and after showing the importance of post production when creating an image.

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Slide background

This is a video showing the exposures used and changes made to an image when creating an interior twilight shot.

Sometimes the changes seem subtle but each change helps make a great architectural photograph.

Here I take you through the tough process while showing you the lighting that goes into great hotel photography.

It is very important to stress, with architectural and interior photography that the above photos were taken with the final image in mind, each exposure had a specific task and was taken to enhance the final image. All the post production is done using mainly Photoshop CC or Photoshop PS6. The videos were created using Premiere Pro CC. Over the next while I will show you what is in my camera bag and include some details on why lenses, lights and other gear I use.

Interiors Photography – A Recent Kitchen shoot


A few weeks ago I had the chance to photograph a lovely kitchen. The Idea of kitchen photography is to tell a story that in turn gets a client to connect with the story. This story is is all about the tradesman-ship that went into making this quality kitchen. Combined with a beautiful design and a great country location this may have been one of the nicest homes I have been in this year.

Beautiful Kitchen, interior photograph from Kildare  Wicklow

Beautiful Kitchen, interior photograph from Kildare Wicklow

 

I thought it would be nice to show all the images that were delivered:

Kitchen / Interior Design / Architectural Photography

Kitchen / Interior Design / Architectural Photography

 

Alternative view

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This kitchen had an amazing feeling, and if it was not really misty outside I am sure it would be even further helped by a stunning view

This kitchen had an amazing feeling, and if it was not really misty outside I am sure it would be even further helped by a stunning view

 

 

If anyone is interested in the BTS stuff these were all shot on either a Canon 5d mk3 or a Canon 6d. I mainly use 2-3 lenses for interiors like this and an 1.4 extender. These lenses are the Canon 24mm TS mk2L, the Canon 135 f2.0L and the Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.4. I do not use regular zoom lenses as I do not like the quality or optical imperfections. The cameras are placed on a manfrotto tripod with a geared head and once set up they do not get touched while shooting, adjustments are made via wifi as the cameras are controlled by iPads. Lighting is controlled with up to 5 strobes, a GL1 hot light, light modifiers and multiple exposures. If you have any questions why not drop me a mail.

 

Interiors Photography – Stairs


Stairs:

As an Photographer specialising in Architectural and Interiors Photography I love architecture. I love homes and other cool spaces and I have a huge amount of respect for architects and trades people. So Today I am going to pay a little homage to the humble stair. Often just a way of getting from one space to another, a circulation space but it can and often is a bit more, a beautiful element or a useful addition.

While it is a way to link spaces, you can create a thing of beauty while still letting the view speak for itself:

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Architectural photograph of a feature stair case in Dublin

Interiors photography helps show off how the stairs make an entrance into a centrepiece of the home:

Stairs in the entrance hall

Stairs can be a fantastic feature piece with in a home. in this case it made a large entrance into a Grand Entrance

 

being a little more useful:

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In some cases Stairs and hall hide so much of the functions within a home

An architectural element is really brought out using great architectural and interiors photography

 

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A modern mews where the stairs a distinctive design feature

or being a thing of beauty and fantastic workmanship:

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An unusual look at a spiral stair case showing of some fantastic design

Interiors Photography is about helping businesses tell a story to their clients, here is a little bit of the story behind these pictures. I like to give a little bit of BTS (Behind the Scene) information out on how I take my pictures. In this case I think I will mention the last image of the spiral stair case. This was taken hand held as the last picture on a shoot. I rarely shoot hand held but once I spotted this shot I knew I had to take it. There was no way to set up a clamp or tripod here so arm out stretched I held a Canon 5d mark 2 with a 17 mm TS L, I had to knock up the ISO to allow for a fast shooter speed so I had to use an extra layer of processing to reduce the digital noise.