This Old House ~ Laborie, St. Lucia

Description:

This Old House ~ Laborie, St. Lucia

Signed Kirk Elliott Prints

I was driving through the Saint Lucia countryside one afternoon when I spotted this really quaint little house. In fact, I had driven past it before its impact really hit me. I had to stop and reverse for me to get to it. As I walked out of my SUV towards the house, I could feel it’s charming energy with the beautiful lawn grass all around it and the coconut trees in the back.

I couldn’t help wondering what this house must have been like in its glory days. I could almost see little children running around playing hide and seek, cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers, or whatever else was the outdoor pastimes that kept children occupied back then and helped them burn off the exuberant energy of youth. As I stood there I thought to myself – How different from today when so many children spend so much time indoors on their mobile devices and in the process miss out on the beauty of nature, not to mention the excess weight they tend to pack on in the process.

Needless to say I imagined all manner of pictures that I could shoot of this old house, but alas I didn’t have my camera with me. In any event the lighting wasn’t quite right as the sun was still too high up in the sky. So, I made a mental note that I had to return to shoot pictures of the old house at a future date.

Now the challenge with scenic photography is that weather plays such a crucial role in determining whether one captures a stunning beauty rather than just another run of the mill boring shot. And seeing as I would have to drive right across the island for over two hours to return to the spot there was the concern of – will the weather be right when I return? But as is so often the case in life – without the risk there’s no reward!

Here in St. Lucia we are heavily impacted by dust from dust storms in the Sahara Desert over in Africa! This is because St. Lucia is in the direct path of the North East Trade Winds that originate in Africa. These winds bring the rains that keep us so vibrantly green, but they also bring the dust which can last for weeks and even months at a time. So, I waited for a day of brilliant blue skies then checked the weather report to see that there was no imminent rain for the next few days. Once my weather charts showed me this weather pattern over the next week or so I put everything down and took off for Laborie.

The weather gods were good to me that day as when I arrived at my little old house I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. I got out of my SUV with camera bag and tripod in hand and proceeded to set up my camera. While I was setting up someone in a house about 100 yards or so away shouted to me to ask what I was doing there and who had given me permission to shoot pictures anyway? With a sinking feeling in my gut, I wondered if I had come all this way in vain and might this person stop me from shooting pictures and instead ask me to leave.

So I did what I imagined any self respecting photographer would do… I engaged her in conversation! I explained that I had driven all the way from the north of the island to shoot pictures of this particular house as it was so charming and full of character. I engaged the lady in some more conversation about the house and about the area and it quickly became clear that I was gonna be able to get my pictures after all. After a bit more chit chatting she wished me a good day and left me to my own devices.

I went on to shoot a series of pictures all the while thinking: “If only these walls could talk. I wonder what delightfully enchanting stories they might tell.”

As usually happens, it was only when I got home and reviewed the pictures that the fullness of this photography escapade hit me as I could practically feel the charm and warm energy of the old house burning through the screen. A few years later while driving through Laborie I stopped at this same spot and it was heart wrenching to see that a recent hurricane had demolished the house which now lays as tattered ruins that have been flattened down to the ground. What a poignant reminder that things fall apart!

I am oh so happy that I took the time that day to go shoot This Old House. I am also so delighted to share the old house’s story with you and I hope wherever you place this image that it brings you great joy as you too wonder what stories This Old House would tell – if only walls could talk!

Enjoy!

Shipping Details

There Are 5 Ways To Print These Images:

1. PREMIUM GLOSSY PHOTO PAPER

Premium Glossy Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.
Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.
You’ll feel like you’re there.
Premium Glossy Photo Paper will last a long time.
This option is available in 8×10 inches, 11×14 inches or 16×20 inches.
They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online).

2. READY TO HANG VIBRANT CANVAS

Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.
Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.
Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.
1.5 inch thick wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important).

Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.

3. READY TO HANG VIBRANT CANVAS 3 PANEL SPLITS

This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which put together make a single large image.

This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!

4. STUNNING ALUMINUM METAL PRINTS

Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.

Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64″ thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.

UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.

5. VIBRANT ACRYLIC PRINTS

Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The .22″ thick clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!

UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box