Shooting with intention

I’m back !! I decided to take a week off, the first since Sept 2017 in fact and while it felt strange to not release a video on Sunday at 5 pm, it also felt great to allow my mind to reset and look ahead to the next phases(s) of my adventures.

I decided to head out for a shoot as the weather conditions looked very favourable, gappy clouds, fleeting light and the chance also of rainbows, so I packed my bags and headed to a location I have been to many times before, Kilcrea Friary in Cork.

Kilcrea Friary, located in the beautiful countryside of Cork, is a site rich in history and photographic potential. Founded in the mid-15th century, the friary stands as a reminder of Ireland's medieval past. Surrounded by a lush barley crop in full bloom, it offers a unique setting for capturing the interplay of light and shadow. The primary purpose of this shoot was to focus on shooting with intention and planning for the edit, ensuring that each shot contributed to a cohesive and compelling final piece.

The conditions during my visit were challenging yet inspiring. Gappy clouds moved across the sky, casting fleeting light over the landscape. This dynamic lighting created moments of brilliance, but it also required patience and quick reflexes to capture the scene at its best.

Upon arriving, I set up my gear and immediately realised the need to elevate my tripod's centre column fully to see over the tall barley crop. While I wouldn’t normally recommend this due to the instability it introduces to the rig, it was necessary to get the right vantage point. My approach to this scene was methodical. I envisioned the final edit, considering how each shot would fit together to tell the story of Kilcrea Friary under the dance of fleeting light.

I positioned myself and waited, hoping for the light to hit the friary without illuminating the foreground too much. This selective lighting would create a dramatic contrast, drawing the viewer’s eye to the main subject. As I waited, I decided to send the drone up. The aerial perspective offered stunning footage of the friary and the surrounding fields. The timing was perfect; the light was just right, highlighting the friary and creating a beautiful contrast with the darker foreground.

While the drone was capturing these breathtaking views, I set up a timelapse to record the shifting clouds and the changing light over the scene. This would provide dynamic footage for the final video edit also, showcasing the passage of time and the ever-changing light.

Reviewing the drone footage, I noticed that the crop behind the friary was mostly untouched. Usually, people walking through the fields leave a trail of trampled barley, but this time it was pristine. I decided to take advantage of the tractor lines, which served as natural leading lines, guiding the viewer’s eye towards the friary. These lines would play a crucial role in the edit, helping to structure the composition and flow of the image.

Reaching the back of the friary, I carefully positioned myself along a tractor line. Within minutes, my patience was rewarded. Light flickered across the scene, illuminating the friary while leaving the foreground in shadow. This created a dramatic and captivating image, emphasising the historical structure against the natural backdrop.

As I was recording a piece on camera, I was rudely interrupted by my good buddy Diarmuid O Donovan (DOD). It was a pleasant surprise, and we took a moment to catch up. We reminisced about past shoots and planned a new one for Thursday. Hopefully, he turns up as it’s been a while since we last met.

This shoot at Kilcrea Friary was a perfect example of the importance of shooting with intention and planning for the edit. Every shot was taken with the final piece in mind, ensuring that the footage and photos would come together seamlessly also for my video. Despite the unstable tripod and the interruptions, the fleeting light and untouched landscape provided opportunities to capture truly unique images. Fleeting moments of light can transform a scene, and being ready to seize those moments is what makes photography so rewarding.