Darran Leal
ABOUT DARRAN
Darran Leal is one of the worlds most diverse and travelled photographers. However, the entire Leal family have a great passion for adventure, photography and fishing.
PHOTOGRAPHY - Darran started his professional photography career in 1980. He started teaching photography in 1981/2 and has since helped thousands of photographers from beginner to professional around the world. His K.I.S. - 'Keep It Simple' teaching method and his great passion to help other photographers has seen many photographers return time and time again. Darran guarantees outstanding shoot opportunities at all events!
FISHING - Darran (and family) has fished around the world including temperate, sub-tropical and tropical waters. From trout in Argentina to salmon and halibut in Alaska, tiger fish and kob in Africa to barra, kingfish and tuna in Australia, Snapper in New Zealand, to Jewfish in Western Australia - the list is very long ...
Each year, Darran undertakes several major expeditions to regions in Australia, the USA, Africa, South America and beyond. Some of these adventures are shared with other like minded enthusiasts from around the world. In fact, Darran has now led over 500 tours/workshops/seminars, with over 200 major 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 <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 ...
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2011 - Finalist in BBC Wild Photographer of the Year. Tours to the Okavango Delta, Botswana/Victoria Falls, Rwanda, Namibia, and more to be updated soon .... 2010 - Events on Norfolk Island, Kimberley, Fraser Island - Lamington National Park - Seminars in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington, Christchurch, tours to Namibia, Cape Town, Bhutan, USA. Finalist in BBC Wild Photographer of the Year. 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. Assisted Warren Macris with photo courses for 3 levels. 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 until 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 photographyinterests.
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