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Darran Leal
is one of the worlds most diverse and travelled photographers.
Darran and wife
Julia, own Australia's only licensed Travel Agent dedicated to
photographers. Combined,
they offer over 60 years travel and photography
experience.
Each year,
Darran undertakes several major expeditions to regions in Australia,
the USA, Africa,
South America and beyond. Some of these photo adventures
are shared with other
photo enthusiasts from around the world. In fact, Darran
has now led over 500
photo events, with over 200 major photo tours.
Darran’s
work has been published around the world and is used extensively in
books,
magazines and commercial products. He has been commissioned by
Qantas,
Warner Brothers, the Queensland Government, Australia Post, Steve
Parish
Publishing and many other companies to supply unique images. He
has also
produced many of his own products, including six of his own books.
“My life
has never been one of sitting around and waiting for things to happen.
Rather, I
get out and explore, touch, catch, view, experience and savor every
unique
moment. Unlike many photographers, I do not specialise in one area.
I shoot
everything from the smallest insect to the grandest landscape or unique
culture. I
have been lucky in the past 15 years to share these experiences with
my wife
Julia and sons, Pearce and Frazer.”
Born and
raised in Brisbane, Darran’s career started in 1980 as the photographer
on Norfolk
Island in the South Pacific. He travelled Australia extensively
in the
early 1980’s and worked at locations like Uluru, Kangaroo Island, Perth
and in the
far north. He met Julia in 1989 and lived in New Zealand for six
years.
Darran moved back to his home state Queensland, in Australia in 1995
with his
family and has since travelled to many other destinations including
Antarctica,
Africa, South America and the USA.
Did You Know?
This might
help you to appreciate the process of how Darran gets his fantastic
images.
Most images will have taken a long time to get to you, as a final print
or canvas.
Firstly, Darran researches a region for possible images. At times,
this can
take place over years. Secondly, the locations are often remote.
Thirdly, he
spends hours, days, weeks in the field shooting specially targeted
subjects,
or any other opportunity that presents itself. Fourthly, on returning he
will base
process and catalogue the image. Finally, the image is 'used' with
Darran (or
the family) printing to the highest quality.
"The
most gratifying aspect of my work - after all of the expense of equipment
and travel
and the many hours in the field - is to hear someone else enjoying
that same
split second 'with me'. Photography is an incredible art form ..."
TV APPEARANCES - Getaway and more ...
Darran has
appeared on national and local TV several times. They have
included
book releases through to travel shows like Getaway. In 2007 Darran
featured on
the Getaway show, while shooting in the huge dunes of Sossusvlei,
Namibia
Africa. Dermott Breredon was the presenter. Getaway also featured
two more
stories on Safari Wise Australia.
To see
these features - click on the web link below and follow the following:
http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au
After going
to the Channel 9 site, type - Sossusvlei - into "Search" on the left
side and
click - GO. Click on the story icon when it appears. It will take a few
seconds to
download. Other Safari Wise features can be found on the same
Getaway
site - type - Cheetah and Swakopmund for two more Safari Wise
adventures
on TV.
More TV ...
Darran
first appeared on 7 News in 1998 with a book launched in Noosa,
Queensland
about the local area. Then on Getaway in 2004 with presenter
Sorrel
Wilby. This was shot on a beach at Noosa. Again he featured on
7 News in
2006 with the release of his book - Capturing The World.
Darran has
also been featured in several news papers across Australia
and in New
Zealand. Darran has been asked to shoot in most environments.
From the
city to mangroves, glaciers, deserts and rainforest.
"I
feel priveleged to be able to go to these diverse environments each year.
It is
amazing to be able to explore the many different locations that offer
such a wide
range of colourful creatures, unique cultures and dazzling
landforms."
Darran has
been fortunate enough to feed tiger cubs, swim with turtles
and sharks
- track game in Africa to shoot amazing close up encounters
and
undertake commissioned shoots for Qantas, Steve Parish Publishing,
Warner
Brothers and much more ...
Achievements and History
Darran
travels to many locations each year. His goal at each location is to
shoot the
diversity of the region from culture to landscapes, wildlife and
creative. Here
is a short list of his shoots and adventures. We could not
add them
all ...
2010
- Events on Norfolk
Island, Kimberley, Fraser Island - Lamington
National
Park - Seminars in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington,
Christchurch,
Namibia - Cape Town, Bhutan, USA.
Sponsorship
from Nikon, EPSON, Adobe, Better Photography Magazine,
Nik
Software, Manfrotto and PicPress.
2009 -
Events on Fraser Island - Lamington National Park - Namibia -
Alaska -
Patagonia - Antarctica - Sponsorship from Nikon, EPSON,
Adobe,
Better Photography Magazine, Nik Software, Manfrotto,
Nulab and
PicPress.
2008 - BBC
Wildlife Photographer of the year - Highly Commended
award, 'In
Praise of Plants'. Commercial shoot for Cliftons - Joined
the 2nd
Adobe LightRoom Adventure in Tasmania, Beta testing
LightRoom 2
- Fraser Island - Lamington National Park - Namibia -
Botswana -
Zambia - Sponsorship from Canon, EPSON, Adobe,
Better
Photography Magazine, Nik Software, Manfrotto, Nulab.
2007 -
Shoots in - Namibia - Botswana - Alaska - Canadian Rockies -
USA deserts
- Tasmania - Lady Elliot Island - Fraser Island -
Lamington
NP - Kangaroo Island. Getaway Travel Show joins
Darran in
Sossusvlei for feature shoot that appears on the show
nationally
in October. Sponsorship from Canon, EPSON, Adobe,
Better
Photography Magazine, Nik Software, Manfrotto, Nulab.
2006 -
Shoots in - Cape Town - Namibia - Kruger NP - Peru -
Amazon
Appeared on Channel 7 News with new book,
Capturing
The World. Sponsorship from Canon, EPSON, Adobe,
Better
Photography Magazine, Nik Software, Manfrotto, Nulab.
2005 -
Shoots in - Cape Town - Namibia - Kruger NP - Patagonia -
Galapagos
Islands - USA deserts - Kimberley Region - Kangaroo
Island -
Flinders Ranges. Sponsorship from Canon, EPSON,
Adobe,
Better Photography Magazine.
2004 -
Shoots in - Antarctica - Patagonia - Northern Argentina -
Fraser
Island - Kimberley - Kakadu Getaway Travel Show shoots
Darran on
location in Noosa. Shoots for Sea World (Polar Bears)
and
Wet'n'Wild on the Gold Coast. Sponsorship from Canon,
EPSON,
Adobe, Better Photography Magazine.
2003 -
Shoots in Namibia - Patagonia - Kimberley region -
Central
Australia - Top End. Shoots for Sea World (Polar Bears)
and
Wet'n'Wild on the Gold Coast. Sponsorship from Kodak,
Better
Photography Magazine and Nikon.
2002 -
Shoots in - New Zealand - Central Australia - Kimberley
region.
Major shoots for Sea World, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild
on the Gold
Coast. Some 80 odd shoots in 7 days. Sponsorship
from Kodak,
Better Photography Magazine and Nikon.
2001 -
Shoots in New Zealand - USA Deserts - Tasmania -
Guest
overseas speaker at American Photographic Society AGM,
speaking to
500 photographers. Sponsorship from Kodak and Nikon.
2000 -
Finished working at Steve Parish Publishing and returned to
full-time
shooting and photo education. Guest speaker at Australian
Photographic
Society conference. Sponsorship from Kodak and Nikon.
1999 -
Moved from Noosa to Brisbane to work with Steve Parish
Publishing
as photographer and special projects/image library manager.
Sponsorship
from Kodak and Nikon.
1998 -
Shoots in - Lord Howe Island - Kimberley region - Top End -
Fraser
Island. Regular national workshops for Nikon Club Australia.
Guest
speaker at Australian Photographic Society conference.
Sponsorship
from Kodak and Nikon.
1997 - Shot
mainly around Queensland for that year. Regular national
workshops
for Nikon Club Australia. Sponsorship from Kodak
and Nikon.
1996 - Sold
all camera equipment, bought canoes and offered tours
around
Noosa. Still sponsored by Kodak and was guest speaker to
O'Reilly's
Mountain Light workshop. Here met Nikon who then
sponsored
me for the next 10 years. Sponsorship from Kodak
and Nikon.
1995 -
Second son Frazer born in Auckland. Shoots in New Zealand
and of
course baby images! My youngest brother Cameron is very
sick. We
moved to Brisbane to be close to Cameron. Cameron dies
of cancer
(26) that year and we move to Noosa. Life's too short ...
Sponsorship
from Kodak.
1994 -
Shoots in New Zealand - Lamington National Park -
Carnarvon
Gorge. National photo workshops throughout New Zealand.
Sponsorship
from Kodak.
1993 -
First son Pearce is born in Auckland. Shoots in New Zealand
and of
course - baby images! New Zealand and Australian courses
and tours.
Sponsorship from Kodak and Qantas.
1992 -
Major exhibition in Auckland with Kodak and Qantas as
sponsors.
New Zealand and Australian courses and tours.
Sponsorship
from Kodak and Qantas.
1991 -
Finished working at CR Kennedy and started national
photography
courses with Kodak as key sponsor. Shoots in -
New Zealand
- Norfolk Island.
1990 -
Worked for CR Kennedy as national professional rep.
Hasselblad,
Sinar, Broncolor etc and calling on a mix of
photographers.
Shooting New Zealand wide.
1989 -
First major exhibition in Brisbane, sponsored by Kodak.
First
overseas trip as guide with 36 Aussies to Argentina and
Chile. First
Wild Visions tour to Norfolk Island where I met my
wife to be
Julia. Moved to live in New Zealand late 1989.
Sponsorship
from Kodak.
1988 -
Completed World Expo shoot with 17 large images
required.
The smallest was 3m x 2m and the largest was
15m x 5m.
Shoots in Central Australia - Kimberley - Northern
Territory -
Lady Musgrave Island - Carnarvon Gorge and
several
tours as guide.
1987 -
Worked on gas pipe line between Darwin and
Alice
Springs. Earned enough money to buy a new 4WD
and travel
though the north for several months. Kimberley
and Kakadu
were the main targets. Telegram received in the Gulf -
Asked to do
a shoot for the Queensland Pavilion ,at World Expo 88.
1986 -
Attended Gatton College for national park ranger course.
Part way
through second semester, decided to drop out and stick
to
photography. After this point, my photography - took off ...
Shoot for
Queensland National Parks & Wildlife Service through
north
Queensland.
1985 - Year
spent exploring and shooting around Brisbane.
Wrote my
first couple of articles, both on Carnarvon Gorge.
First time
as guide to Carnarvon Gorge for Brisbane company.
1984 -
Returned to Brisbane from Perth via the Kimberley and
Top End.
After a month in Brisbane, headed north to the Gulf
and worked
for a diamond exploration company. Back to
Brisbane
late 1984.
1983 -
Lived in Perth for the year, working at a camera store
in the
city. Travelled every weekend and holiday to explore
new shoot
opportunities. Bought more camera gear. Instigated
the first
privately own photo courses in Perth, with the store I
worked for.
1982 -
Worked at Georges Camera Store (now Ted's) in Brisbane.
Bought good
camera gear and saved hard. Headed off in Toyota
short wheel
base 4WD with friend, on a 6 month trip. Ended
up
returning to Brisbane in 1984.
1981 -
Worked at Carnarvon Gorge Oasis Lodge.
(general
/everything ...) Cemented my wildlife/photography
link and
set target for it to be my future. 1980 - Moved to
Norfolk
Island as food & wine waiter. Ended up as the islands
photographer.
Here, linked my long time interest in nature
with the
creative scope of photography.
1979 -
Bought first camera - Practica Super TL. Thought I
was a pro
till I became a pro the following year!
1975 -
School trip to Carnarvon Gorge, Central Queensland
with Kodak
a mini Box Brownie camera. Young lady teacher
makes a
mockery of the camera in front of school mates. Did
this
instigate , inhibit or help Darran's early photography interests?
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