May
8th

….isn’t that the point ?

Strange title I hear you say……

Every month or so I put a post on my Facebook Page looking to carry out a test shoot, the reason for this is two fold.

Firstly my reason for hosting these shoots is so that I can practice a new lighting technique that I am working on as there is nothing better than practice, practice, practice.

Secondly as part of my overall plan in relation to the workshops I run it is always great to meet and shoot new models so that I can hire them for future workshops and shoots.

Getting back to title, my recent post on Facebook looking for models to pose for me lead me to Leigh-Anne whom I had shot before approx 3 maybe even 4 years ago now.

During our shoot the conversation went from work related stuff to absolute rubbish talk but what stuck with me is something I have heard from more models than I can count is the reaction that close friends and family comment on when they see images of someone they know for most if not all there lives ” Wow I didnt recognise you, you look so different, you look amazing”

Comments like these are great for me as I like to create images and make the person I my photographing look as beautiful as I can possible can, however there is always that side were some people will argue that they don’t look “real” or “normal”

Its not for me to say but all I can do as a photographer is use my vision of what a final image in my head looks like and relay that to the model or subject as I am shooting them.

Anyway enough waffle from me, now getting back to Leigh-Anne, She looked amazing in front of camera but that’s not what sold it for me it was her attitude and her ability to listen to direction from me and not question what I was doing but just to soak it in knowing that what I was telling her only benefits the final outcome.

You can expect to see more of Leigh-Anne as well before our shoot was over I knew I wanted to hire her for a future workshop which is coming up soon :)

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All images are straight off the camera and the only post processing was colour conversion and boosting contrast to the colour images.

If you are a Model looking for Porfolio Work please use the Contact Me option, if you are a Photographer and you are looking to attend either a Studio Workshop or one of my Location Workshops again use the Contact Me option.

Please feel free to leave a comment and also if you like what you see Subcribe to my Blog to keep informed of upcoming events and photo-shoots :)

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Apr
29th

“Powder and Paint”

A few weeks back a had an idea to run a “Powder and Paint” shoot, this involved throwing paint at models in a controlled environment. I wrapped my main studio room in plastic sheeting, however no amount of plastic sheeting could prepare us for the amount of dust in the air which travelled everywhere. That said I expected a big clean up afterwards and also knew it would be worth it for the final images which didn’t disappoint.

On most of these creative shoots I like to carry out I set myself a target of getting no more than six images of each model, for me it is not about taking hundreds of images its more about getting that one or two really good images that all involved can walk away and know that we all helped to create those final images.

My team for the day included 2 models, Natalie which I worked with almost 4 years ago and Lauren a newbie for me, both girls were amazing on the day as I wanted a look of mad makeup and even madder hair and they never complained with all the powder being throw all over them.

Our make-up artist was Aliona. I sent her a few sample images several weeks ago and she surpassed what I had sent her with vibrant and bold colours which fitted the overall theme.

On hair was Leann. In my head I had a particular look in mind somewhere between Kate Bush and Kim Wilde which I knew most of the models,mua’s and stylists that come through my doors would never have heard of :)
That said Leann pulled off two amazing looks for both girls.

Finally I needed two assistants to help me create the final images-namely paint chuckers :) for this I had Oonagh and Brian which I know they really enjoyed themselves destroying my entire studio and everyone in it including me :)

Natalie 1

Natalie 1

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Lauren 1

Natalie 2

Natalie 2

Lauren 2

Lauren 2

Natalie 3

Natalie 3

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Lauren 3

This shoot was really great fun for all involved ;) Will I do it again? That would be a big fat NO!

Why? Mainly because of the clean up involved so if I am to do this again it will be held outdoors in very calm weather :)

Here are a few YouTube links the first is a short video showing the set-up just as we are getting started and the other is a time-lapse of the entire shoot.

Video showing the set-up for the shoot

Time-Lapse of the entire shoot

Please feel free to subscribe to my website for updates on upcoming shoots and also leave a comment if you wish :)

Contact me for Model Portfolios, Fashion Shoots, Weddings and Family Photography

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Apr
23rd

” Bridal ” Location Workshop

Last Saturday 20th April I ran a location workshop in the Boyne Valley Hotel and Country Club on the outskirts of Drogheda Town.

This turned out to be an extremely successful day with 8 photographers attending and the wonderful Roisin was our model for the day.

I love training, what more can I say I have the bug. The buzz I get from seeing other photographers creating and getting great results in camera is what it is all about for me :)

I intend to run loads more of these type of Workshops so please follow me here for updates on workshops and other shoots I am working on :)

Topics covered included

Ambient Light and Settings

Posing and Postioning a subject in relation to a light source

Using off-camera flash in dark or poorly lit areas for dramatic effect

Shooting out in the garden using ambient only while placing a subject in a shady and sunny area

Using mixed ambient and off-camera flash to create dramatic exterior portraits

Here are a few images from the day :)

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Camera Settings: Iso 800, F4:0, Shutter Speed 1/80sec, W.b 5500k

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Taken using one off-camera flash on a stand postioned at 6 o’ clock, power setting on the flash are set to manual, zoomed at 105mm.
Camera Setting: Iso 200, F13:0, Shutter Speed 1/200sec, W.b 5500k

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This image was taken against a coloured wall surface close to the hotel kitchens and using 2 speed lights on stands.

Off-camera flash on a stands postioned at 4 o’clock and 10 o’ clock from the subject again on manual power settings and zoomed to 105mm.
Camera settings: Iso 200, F16:0, Shutter Speed 1/200sec, W.b 5500k

Finally a group shot of all 8 photographers that were at my workshop including myself and of course Roisin who did a wonderful job on the day modelling for all 9 cameras pointing at here :)

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I will be hosting another ” Bridal ” Location Workshop on Sunday 9th June, if you are a photographer looking to expand your knowledge on both ambient and off-camera flash this is the workshop for you.

Fill in the contact me section for more details :)

Here are some reviews from the workshop attendees in there own words.

I attended Derek’s location workshop last Saturday and can highly recommend it. He has a great way with people and is able to teach in a way that is simple and informative. As it’s a totally hands on course I came away with lot’s of new knowledge. Most of all it was great craic!!! I shot a first communion the following day in all manual settings for the first time, result :) Dee

I recently attended one of Derek’s Studio Photography workshops in Studio 8 which I thoroughly enjoyed and learnt a lot at and so decided to do his Location Workshop last Saturday. Had a top day with Derek and the group. Learnt lots about Ambient and Rembrandt lighting along with what flash settings and camera settings to use. I learnt how to use the light to capture some great shots and what to look out for, shadows etc. Got some great poses thanks to Ròisín our model for the day. Well worth the money and lunch was even provided. Thanks again Derek for a very productive and enjoyable workshop. Don

Great day at Derek Mc Auley’s “Bridal” photo workshop in the Boyne Valley Hotel last Saturday. The workshop was presented professionally but with a personal touch, focusing on sharing Derek’s photographic experience to all of the group. I would highly recommend Derek’s workshops to any aspiring photographer who wants to further their photography either as a hobby or in professional capacity. David (www.flickr.com/0878211869)

I really enjoyed the “ambient and off camera flash” workshop with Derek, I learned a lot, he is very easy to understand, explains himself very well and makes it so enjoyable for everyone involved. Great craic and lots learned. I came away feeling very confident and he is more than happy to share his knowledge and experience with the class.. Looking forward to doing lots more workshops with him. Joanne

I recently attended a Bridal Workshop on location in Boyne Valley Hotel run by Derek Mc Auley.Everything from posing to ambient lighting and flash techniques were covered.Was a really enjoyable day and alot was learned from it.Derek has a great way of explaining what is to be done and why and everyone from beginner to more advanced photographers gain from his knowledge.Will definitely be signing up to do another workshop with him soon…Thanks again Derek. Oonagh

I attended Derek’s Bridal Photography course in April 2013 in the Boyne Valley Hotel, Drogheda. The course was well-run, relaxed and informative.
Derek was an excellent tutor, and his style and passion for what he does really showed through.
Using both ambient and flash lighting, we shot the model in a variety of poses both inside the hotel and in the grounds. Roisin, our model/bride for the day, was excellent too.
I would highly recommend Dereks course to anyone thinking about going into the Wedding Photography business. Eimhear

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Apr
18th

About Me :)

Hello all, welcome to my all new Blog and Website.

Who am I ?

I am a photographer based in Dunleer County Louth approx 40 minutes from Dublin and 110 Minutes from Belfast just off Exit 13 on the M1 Motorway.

To all those that know me best you know I like to talk a lot, it’s not that I like hearing myself it’s more that my head is so full of ideas I am afraid if I don’t say it fast it might not come out at all :)

I am primarily a family man with an amazing wife Lorraine and 3 wonderful daughters, Kelly 19, Shannon 15, Roisin 13.
I started working life at 17 as a carpenter and worked my way up to foreman, co-director and finally ran my own construction company for 12 years.
I first got into photography when i bought a 1.3million pixel camera in 2000 (imagine how far technology as come since then) this was to take images of my own house during the construction phrase.

The next time I picked up a camera was 2005 a Sony bridge camera, I soon added a Canon 350d (yes I said Canon) This was all stolen in the same year and in haste I purchased a Nikon d70 which I found the functionality of the camera felt better.
I soon up-graded to a d200 which I hated and currently I use my beloved Nikon d700 which I love along side a 24/70 2:8 and a 70/200 2:8 both of which are great lenses.

For many years I didn’t really know what I wanted to shoot or what direction I was heading. In my early years I shot everything from the birds and the bees to landscape none of which appealed to me at the time.

Like most people who have children you want to photography them.

I am no different and while doing so I quickly realised I liked shooting people.
At this period in our journey my wife and I were fostering which had it’s ups and downs. We were blessed to have two 10 day old twins one boy and one girl.

This was probably one of the most rewarding periods in my life helping out not so fortunate families, that said 6 months later the HSE came and took them away this was very tough on all of us and I still miss them today but they were the most photographed babies ever :)

With four women in our house it over flows with style, clothes loads of showers, hairspray and perfumes.

I blame all my girls for getting interested in shooting fashion and models. I spent the next few years training up with loads of shoots.

I had a studio at my home but I live in what we irish call “The Sticks” which made it very diffucult for people to find me so more recently I moved to a larger commercial premises in Dunleer in County Louth.

Since my move I can safely say it has re-ignited my passion for photography.

The one thing photography has over most other areas of a working life is you meet some amazing people most of which are good natured and lovely to work with. I have met so amazing friends for life from photography and am very lucky to work with and along side some awesome people whom I regard as my very good friends.

Like most industries in life it is a very competive industry, either your too cheap and busy as hell or your too expensive and price yourself out of the market. I would like to think I am somewhere in the middle and my photography is improving all the time.

I do regard myself as a creative photographer, I like to create images sometimes from scratch building props and sets (i knew my construction background was good for something)

This creative side for me has lead to my latest departure teaching photography workshops to other photographers, this has proved to be extremely successful and I am now running workshops both in my Studio8 in Dunleer as well as Location workshops all over the country.

This is the main reason I have decided to go with a Blog type format for my new Website so I can tell all of you about the projects I am working on.

I photography everything from Weddings, Families, Product, Fashion, Model Portfolios to just about any social event you may have.

So if you wish to make contact me about any of the services I provide please go to the contact page on here.

So thats me :) Take me as you see me

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