PH Hotel Colombia | Interior & Architectural Photography – Casco Viejo

Architectural Character in Historic Casco Viejo

Located directly across from Plaza Bolívar in Casco Viejo, PH Hotel Colombia is a compact studio apartment with a distinctive architectural identity. Traditional wooden windows, historic stone surfaces and original architectural details give the property a character that goes beyond its relatively small dimensions.

Our assignment was to create a complete photographic presentation of the apartment, highlighting its architecture, interior details and the atmosphere of its historic surroundings.

The property required a carefully controlled lighting approach to preserve the character of the original space while creating bright, natural-looking interior photographs.

Exploring the Interior Spaces

A Different Kind of Production Day

This assignment required some additional planning. Our team was staying at La Cuadra, another Acomodo Rentals property approximately ten blocks away.

Since parking and vehicle access are limited throughout the historic streets of Casco Viejo, transporting our equipment required moving everything by hand using equipment carts.

At approximately 6:00 AM, my assistant and I made our way to PH Hotel Colombia carrying our complete photographic and lighting equipment.

We were welcomed that morning by Ernesto Lacayo, CEO of Acomodo Rentals, who was personally present at the beginning of the production.

After completing the initial rooftop assignment, we moved to the fourth floor to begin photographing the apartment. Having an assistant on location allowed us to work more efficiently: while I concentrated on composition, lighting direction and camera positioning, my assistant handled much of the equipment setup and movement.

Inside Our Photography Workflow

Our production process involves much more than setting up a camera and taking photographs. Every composition is carefully evaluated, and lighting is positioned according to the architecture and the natural direction of the available light.

The BTS footage documents our arrival, equipment setup, lighting arrangements and the work behind the final photographs.

Creating Natural-Looking Light

PH Hotel Colombia has several traditional wooden windows that became essential elements of our lighting strategy.

We positioned powerful Godox strobes behind the windows to create directional light entering the apartment, recreating the appearance of natural sunlight.

Rather than simply increasing exposure or relying on automated HDR processing, we carefully controlled the direction, intensity and quality of light in each composition.

The objective was to preserve the atmosphere of the original architecture while bringing out the textures, materials and details of the interior.

We also opened windows and doors wherever possible to improve the visual flow between spaces and create a greater sense of openness in the compositions.

Camera, Lenses & Equipment

The Canon EOS R5 was our primary camera throughout the production, supported by our secondary Canon EOS R6 Mark II.

Our main architectural lens was the Canon TS-E 24mm tilt-shift. It allows us to maintain straight architectural lines and carefully control perspective.

We also used the Canon TS-E 17mm for selected compositions where the smaller dimensions of the apartment required a wider field of view. A Canon 50mm was occasionally used for selected details.

Camera systems:
Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Lenses:
Canon TS-E 24mm Tilt-Shift
Canon TS-E 17mm Tilt-Shift
Canon 50mm

Lighting equipment:
Godox AD600
Godox AD400
Godox AD300
Godox AD200
Additional compact lighting when required.

External camera monitoring allowed us to evaluate composition, framing and architectural alignment with greater precision throughout the production.

The Historic Setting of Plaza Bolívar

While our primary focus was the apartment's interior and architectural photography, its location across from Plaza Bolívar adds another dimension to the property's identity.

We also photographed the surrounding architecture and rooftop views to provide additional context about the location. One of the highlights was capturing the sunrise behind Iglesia San Francisco de Asís.

These photographs complement the interior collection, giving viewers a better understanding of the historic setting in which the property is located.

A Complete Interior Photography Collection

The final collection brings together the architectural character of PH Hotel Colombia, its interior spaces and the distinctive historic setting of Casco Viejo.

Through controlled lighting, carefully selected compositions and detailed manual post-production, we created a photographic presentation that communicates the property's character without exaggerating its dimensions or altering its architectural identity.

Photography: Marquez Ivan Studio
Client: Acomodo Rentals
Location: PH Hotel Colombia, Plaza Bolívar, Casco Viejo, Panama