niall mcgann photography

Film Camera Update

niall — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:30:23 +0000

I posted here recently about a new (very old) camera. I haven’t had a chance before now to scan in the first roll of film. It was a real pleasure going back to something so basic. I love the tones on the new Portra 400 film too. Here are two of my favourites:

Happy Christmas…

niall — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:19:46 +0000

and a very happy New Year to everyone.

Natural photographs of children

niall — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:49:39 +0000

I shot Karen and Simons wedding 3 years ago and was delighted to be asked back to capture some shots of six month old Kevin for Christmas. Capturing good images of kids of this age isn’t easy but I find working with natural light in their home environment pays off. Putting kids in a studio environment with lights, backgrounds and all sorts of props is a bit strange and uncomfortable for them. It doesn’t exactly seem real to me either!

More of 2011

niall — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:35:34 +0000

It’s been a while since I posted some more work from 2011 but I’ve compiled a few randoms from the past few months below. This first shot is my favourite since my last post. It’s a very simple portrait and there is nothing special about its set up. I like it though because it captures a look reminiscent of the 1950’s.

Many images from that time were just the classic portraits and they didn’t have much by way of animation, in part due to the limitations of the equipment of the time. I think it captures Elaine’s theme perfectly (which she pulled off very well I think!):

Here are the others. Use the multi-directional arrow in the bottom right of the frame to go full screen:

Ciao Marco

niall — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:08:47 +0000

Big talent, big character, huge loss to the sport.

R.I.P.

Back to my roots!

niall — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:52:49 +0000

I really miss using film cameras and the deliberate way that they force you to work. Of course you can still buy professional film cameras (only a handful) but my latest purchase below is well over 30 years old and is an engineering work of art. It was beautifully built with levers, springs, dials and gears back in the day when machines were built to last. It’s practically mint as I was lucky enough to come across a buyer selling from a collection so it never saw much use. It’s all mechanical except the meter but I have a handheld meter anyway, so it doesn’t even need batteries. So much has changed in the way modern digital kit that I normally use works but amazingly despite all the advances, the basic concept and controls are still the same.

I started out using something of a similar vintage, so I can’t wait to run a few rolls through it. Film has a certain quality that is hard to describe or replicate using digital and skin tones have always been superior on film. I’ve a few projects to get stuck in to over the Winter which lend themselves to working on something like this so I can’t wait to get out and start using it.

Summer time blues

niall — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:39:51 +0000

Well it seems like ages since I posted something. Some say it is the coldest (or is it the wettest?) Summer in 50 years but it’s certainly a strange one for weather. I’ve been travelling a lot this Summer too, around the country to venues I haven’t been to before so it’s nice to come back to Kerry every now and again!

My favourite shot this Summer was taken in Cork. I went to scout things out as I often do for venues I haven’t been before and it wasn’t until I was leaving that I found the old entrance to the venue which was lined by fantastic trees. It was pouring rain when I was scouting and it really looked magical. Unfortunately (for me!) the sun shone very harshly on the day of the wedding but I decided to get the shot I had in mind anyway. Despite the light being all wrong for what I had in mind, I’m still pleased with it as it has an almost infrared look to it.

Here are some other favourites from the past couple of months. Use the multi-directional arrows on the bottom right to go full screen.

Baby James

niall — Thu, 05 May 2011 23:23:28 +0000

Well done Dee & Dave

2011 to date

niall — Thu, 05 May 2011 23:15:37 +0000

It’s hard to believe that it’s officially Summer! Weddings seem to be as popular as ever this year with styles and trends changing all the time, which is all good.

Here is my favourite shot of the year so far. I love playing with reflections. They can be tricky to get right which makes them a bit more rewarding. I like this one because (a) I was able to frame the bride perfectly within in the picture frame and (b) the flattering light on the brides face from being placed next to an open doorway didn’t lose any of it’s magic when reflected on to the glass:

Here is a selection of shots from some 2011 weddings. For best viewing, click on the multi-directional arrow on the bottom right of show panel:

The Big Spin 2011

niall — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:08:06 +0000

My June bank holiday weekend is booked out for charity this year.

Along with several others, I am taking part in “The Big Spin 2011″, a charity motorcycle ride around Ireland in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. We are heading out from Kerry up the West towards Donegal, over the Dublin and then down to Cork.

It is a very worthy charity with funds going to the Children’s Hospital as well as the Children’s Research Centre. As many of you could no doubt testify, they do magnificent work to improve the quality of life of sick children.

If anyone would like to pledge a donation for my registration, please contact me directly at niall@niallmcgann.com or on (087) 0573438.