DarrenJew.com
is your gateway to the photography of Australian wildlife photographer,
Darren Jew
Who is Darren Jew?
Having been inspired to explore a career in nature photography by my father's travels in Antarctica, I now pursue a passion for capturing and sharing the wonder of the natural world.
After graduating from the Queensland College of Art, I first worked in commercial photography, before taking up a position as photographer with the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, where I worked for 8 years.
I moved on from that part of my career in 1994 and my work is now published widely in books, magazines and paper products. I've had the opportunity to photograph extensively across Australia and in Africa, Alaska, Patagonia and Antarctica and have introduced many people to the world's great wildlife and landscape destinations first hand, through small group photography tours, predominantly to Africa and Antarctica.
I trust you will enjoy your visit to my site.
Darren Jew
2007 Canon/AIPP Australian Science, Environment and Nature Photographer of the Year
Postal address:
PO Box 105
Sandgate QLD 4017
Australia
Tel: +61 7 3269 2059
Fax: +61 7 3269 3895
you can e-mail me by clicking here
www.darrenjew.com
Commissions
I undertake nature, science, conservation and eco-travel photo assignments, on land and underwater. Please contact me if you think I can be of assistance on your next project.
35mm (now digital) equipment
I have been using Canon equipment since 1987. My current kit for terrestrial photography consists of EOS 1ds, EOS 1ds MkII and EOS 1ds MkIII bodies, EF 14mm f2.8L, EF 16-35mm f2.8L, EF50mm f1.8, EF70-200mmf2.8L, EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS, EF300mm f2.8L, 1.4x and 2x converters, extension tube 25, EX550 and EX580II strobes. I find the Canon cameras' controls to be laid out conveniently and find I can use them intuitively, ensuring I can concentrate fully on my subject.
Underwater gear
Having taken my first underwater photographs on a Nikonos III and then moving on to Nikonos V, I then moved into a housed system, a Canon EOS 50 housed in a Subal CE50 alloy housing, and Nikonos SB105 Strobes. I migrated to digital capture underwater in 2006 choosing a Nikon D200 in a SEACAM housing with a Nikkor 10.5 Fisheye; 10-20mm and 17-70mm Sigma lenses behind the SEACAM Superdome; and a 105mm Micro-Nikkor for close-ups. Recently I purchased a SEACAM housing for my EOS 1dsMkII, and now have the opportunity to shot my preferred Canon system UW. When I need extra light under water, I now use a SEACAM Seaflash 250, or twin Inon Z240s. The housed cameras allows me to work as I would on land; with a high degree of flexibility and camera control that is familiar.
Larger Formats
I have quite a few landscape images in my collection shot on a Bronica ETR-s medium format camera with 40,50, 75 and 150mm lenses. In early 2003 I purchased Ebony SW45 non-folding field camera, hand-built in Japan from ebony timber and titanium. It is a beautiful camera. I am shooting 6x12's on a horseman roll film holder, with the following lenses: Schneider Super-Angulon f5.6/58 XL, Rodenstock Grandagon 5.6/80, Schneider Symmar-S 5.6/180. The Ebony is light, simple, quick: a joy to shoot with.
Film
My preference has been for Fuji tranny films, and most of my B.D. (Before Digital) collection is on Velvia, Provia and Astia.
Digital Capture
I really enjoy the creativity afforded by digital capture. I always capture in RAW format, mostly converted with Photoshop/Adobe Camera Raw. At times I employ the Canon and Nikon proprietry RAW converters. I currently run Photoshop CS3 and ACR4.1
Bags
I use various Lowepro backpacks and bum bags to shoot from, and Pelican
Products hard cases for transporting gear. I still shoot from a cordura Lowepro bum-bag that I purchased in the early 80's. It was bullet-proof. My prize for winning the 2007 Canon Australian Science, Environment and Nature
Photographer of the Year award was a new kit of Lowepro bags that is suitable for both the digital age and the rigours of outdoor photography.
Imaging
I have an Imacon Flextight Photo scanner for high quality 35mm/medium format/6x12cm film scans, and a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 and 50-slide feeder for bulk 35mm scanning. A G4 Dual processor 1.25ghz with 2GB RAM runs the scanners and is my design workstation. I'm now running a 15" MacBook Pro w/2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor / 4GB RAM / 160GB 5200rpm HDD as my imaging workstation both in the office and in the field.
Print Making
I now produce all my prints on an Epson 9800, through the Onyx Ripstar-based RIP, Ilford Studio. Prints are made on various media - RC papers, canvas and the new generation gloss-coated fine art papers.
Links to:
I'm a Friend of WWF Australia http://www.wwf.org.au/
Take only photographs is my regular photography column in Wildlife Australia Magazine http://www.wildlife.org.au/
The best way to travel to Antarctica and other out-of-the-way places is with Aurora Expeditions http://www.auroraexpeditions.com.au
Wild Dog Safaris run great trips in Namibia http://www.wilddog-safaris.com
Len Zell has authored some great books and is an excellent naturalist and experienced guide http://www.lenzell.com