Magic in Ireland
Capturing the stunning beauty of Ireland, its culture and people in the photographer’s paradise that is the Inishowen Peninsula
Aconversation one evening in 2015 led Brendan Diver, proprietor of Photos From Ireland, to invite Russian photographer Elena Shumilova over to the picturesque village of Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal, to host a workshop.
She was to teach other photographers how to create stunning, magical portraits of children and animals in amazing landscapes. Elena, who has a massive online following, had never done a workshop outside her home country before, and after months of planning the two photographers finally met to put on a magical experience for those that attended.
Their first workshop took place in October 2015, with photographers from all over the world descending for the event. Such was the success that two more workshops were held again in July 2016, with further workshops planned for May 2017. Elena was amazed at the scenery and its diversity; every bend would change from coastal views to mountains, lakes and rivers, steeped in history with castle ruins.
The shot entitled ‘Ireland’ is from Elena’s first workshop, featuring models Hanna and Sean. There is an amazing light in Ireland in autumn, with stunning colours, and the area is one of the most scenic you will find anywhere in the world (so much so, that the latest Star Wars film was being filmed nearby at Malin Head, on the most northerly point of Ireland).
The ‘Bedtime’ image is of sisters Hanna and Kellie and
was taken in the Doagh Famine Village, Clonmany. Lighting was a combination of natural window light in front of them combined with a LED lamp behind to backlight the children.
When it comes to capturing children and animals, as in the ‘Walking on the Beach’ shot of Sarah and her pony, Elena’s thought process was to let the child and animal take control for the most natural shot. They were happy walking in the sand, oblivious to the photographers. Neutral clothing was chosen so as not to take away from the scene but to complement the natural surroundings. Fine details, such as the type of bridle and reins, were chosen to complete the final story – a story where the children and animals are the stars, the actors in Elena’s powerful images that take the viewer back to their own childhood memories.
‘Sean and Ireland’ was taken at this year’s summer workshop. Sean is one of the kindest gentlemen you will meet and has great patience when working with children, animals – and even photographers! His character could have come from any one several Hollywood blockbuster movies; he is one of Elena’s favourite people to work with and photograph.
There is an amazing light in Ireland in autumn, and the area is one of the most scenic you will find in the world