Author: enda cavanagh

Choosing a perfect home for your artwork. 

I am always excited to work closely with my clients when choosing the perfect artwork for their home or work place. It allows me to combine my experience in photography, presentation and design. The end goal is to choose the best possible image, printed as an archival limited edition print and framed to the highest standard possible. 

It is important to remember, that choosing the perfect artwork isn’t just about selecting a nice photograph. The photograph must sit harmoniously in its environment. It all starts with a friendly chat to get an understanding of what exactly my clients are looking for. We discuss the sort of imagery that excites them. Photography is so subjective. I offer advice on which images could work best from experience but the clients must have the final say. I assess the size and shape of the space considered for the artwork. We decide on the best location. Once we narrow down a selection of images, we can decide on the best way to present the print in it’s finished state. I particularly love coming up with new ways of displaying the prints. This is an ever evolving process that never cease to excite me.

I recently installed a 2m print of Killarney National Park, captured in the wonderful County Kerry. The high wall required a tall panoramic piece that would sit beside full height glazing. I felt fading and reflections could be an issue.  I also wanted to bring the tones and colours from the courtyard into the space so we chose this particular image. The contemporary home is a wonderful design by acclaimed architect Lorcan O’Herlihy. We decided to go with anti reflective mounted acrylic. It offers 99% UV protection against fading to maximise it’s longevity. A solid ash tray frame complimented the tones of the print and the adjacent courtyard. Both my client and I were delighted with the end result. Everything just works in harmony with each other to create a sense of peace.

A 9ft framed print, which does not dominate a space! 

I recently installed a stunning large framed print of a forest panoramic, captured close to Lough Dan in County Wicklow. The piece is about 2.8m wide. However at 9ft wide it is just over 2ft high. As a result my wide forest panoramic pictures can sit comfortably on a wall without dominating the room. The photo is printed on my favourite paper –  Hahnemuehle Fine Art Pearl because of it’s exceptional blacks, texture and tonal range. The timber framed piece was than finished with anti reflective glass so that the viewer can truly appreciate the character of this wonderful paper. Reflections are dramatically reduced so you are pulled into the scene. Check out the wee video below of the finished piece when I picked up from my framer Steve at 360 DPI. Big thank you also to Jim and Ed and Inspirational Arts for the fab print as always. 

FEP European Photographer of the Year 2019.

I was thrilled and more than a bit overwhelmed to win the Golden Camera Award in the commercial photography category at the 2019 European Photographer of the year awards. The prestigious annual event, run by the Federation of European Photographers was held this year in beautiful Innsbrück, set in the Austrian Alps.

The winning images were of 3 wonderfully designed projects located around Ireland. A stunning home by PAC Studio Architects overlooking Dublin Bay. No.10 Molesworth Street a new IPUT building designed by Henry J. Lyons and finally the Hog’s Head hotel, a new luxury hotel designed by the Cork team of  Henry J. Lyons and set in the idyllic Kerry countryside. 

A big thank you to IPUT, Henry J. Lyons and PAC Studio Architects for your great support.

Here is a short video as I received FEP European Commercial Golden Camera Award 2019

Here you can see the 3 images which formed my winning panel.

Irish Professional Photographer’s and Videographer’s Association Awards 2018.

I was thrilled to become IPPVA Commercial Photographer of the Year again at the 2018 IPPVA Awards held in the beautiful Clayton Hotel in Ballsbridge. I continue to challenge myself each time I take a photograph and always strive to improve. I hope this is reflected in my photography as it evolves over time. The winning images were of the wonderfully designed Dublin Port Centre by Darmody Architecture and some of my favorite images from recent commissions in the Guinness Storehouse including the incredibly successful Airbnb One Night at Campaign. A big thank you to Diageo, Dublin Port Company and Darmody Architecture for your great support.

Here you can see the 4 images which formed my winning panel. 

Polished Birch Finnish Ply with Anti Reflective Acrylic

Today I installed a piece in the wonderfully designed new Savvi Credit Union at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin. The very talented Darmody Architecture designed the fitout to a very high standard. A clever use of space and a wonderful combination of finishes and materials create an atmosphere far removed from what one sees typically in financial institutions. There is a warmth to the place that makes customers feel at home. There are a number of timber materials used in Savvi including a lot of beautiful plywood. The lamination of high quality ply has been one of my favourite affects in bespoke furniture for decades. I designed a plywood frame last year and there was a perfect opportunity for it to be used on this large piece, commissioned by Savvi. Inspirational Arts printed a stunning print on my favourite paper Hahnemühle Fine Art Pearl. Steve in 360 DPI did a great job of assembling the frame. Due to the size of the frame which stands at 1.1 x 1.1m, acrylic was used instead of glass. It dramatically reduces the weight. At the same time it offers museum standard image protection against UV and fading. The client decided to get anti reflective acrylic which elevates the print to another level. It dramatically reduces reflections to the extent you barely notice the acrylic. As a result the viewer becomes much more connected with the photograph. You can clearly see the texture of the paper. It becomes more tactile. It almost looks like a naked print.

I love working with great crafts people to create the best possible prints and finishes. I also love working with clients and designers to deliver an artwork that not just celebrates the image but also the space in which it is displayed. How the image is displayed is crucial to how it will be appreciated. The plywood finish on the frame works perfectly with the space and compliments the materials used throughout. Boland’s  Mill No.4, an image captured only hundreds of meters away at the Old Boland’s Mill site shortly before much of it was demolished for redevelopment was the perfect choice. I’m really happy with the result.