“Picture Perfect” in Inishowen

“Picture Perfect” 

Inishowen Photographer Brendan Diver was pleased to welcome world famous Russian photographer Elena Shumilova to host an elite master photography workshop here in the Inishowen Peninsula. The overwhelming response to her visit captivated interest from not just Ireland, participants attended from all corners of the globe; USA, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Russia, Latvia, Croatia, Romania, Moldova, Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. The event took place over the weekend 16-18 October, 35 photographers in total attended. Some of the participants were already very talented photographers in their own right, one of them won top photographer in the UK for 2014, and another actually photographs U2 on a regular basis.

Brendan Diver of “Photos from Ireland” worked tirelessly to organise the event having invited Elena only six months previously. Brendan stated “it was a huge undertaking in planning everything from travel, accommodation, meals, props, models, animals, clothing, and organising an interpreter.

The weekend was deemed a huge success, and everyone was in raptures about the Ballyliffin area, the landscape, sea life, the people, and their unique “Northern Lights” that put on a display to their surprise during their visit. The enthusiasm generated such a stir that Elena is coming back in July for another workshop; already booked out.

 

Before leaving Inishowen Elena presented Brendan with a personalised famous image of hers and stated that “it was one of the most beautiful locations she had seen in the world.” Needless to say, events such as this, truly encapsulate all that Inishowen has to offer. These images can be shared on an international platform, appreciated by the photographer behind the lens, and the audience that has the pleasure of viewing them from near or far. Speaking about the weekend recently, Brendan Diver explained how he was overwhelmed with the traction from this event; Facebook page, Photos From Ireland attained 45,000 hits in only three days. Brendan concluded by saying “how lucky we are to live here” simply said, and very true.