While on holiday in The Barn Cottage beside Foxhall Wood and the River Swilly in Donegal, I turned on all the lights and went out into the front garden at dusk to try a few shots. Unfortunately I couldn’t get any farther back than the corner of the boundary hedge which forced me to use a wider focal length than was ideal. Converging verticals, as they are called, definitely wouldn’t suit a subject like this.

I was pleased with the long exposures I captured, by chance benefitting from a rare passing car that very nicely painted light onto the gloomy gable wall. Daylight white balance meant each of the windows gave out a rich warm glow in the fading evening light. The longer exposure time added subtle movement to the clouds.

The following week when I finally got around to studying the image on-screen I knew some manipulation was needed here and there. You can see the original shot below.

In it’s final restored condition The Barn Cottage has come a long way from the original farm barn (below, borrowed from the owners’ website). I can recommend a visit. A desirable accommodation and location, summer or winter.