Photowalker: Derek McAuley

Hi, I’ve always been keen on photography since a young age when I was in scouts travelling the world with 35mm disposable cameras if only I could go back and re-visit some of the places I’ve seen with my DSLR now, maybe some day.

My first digital camera was a 1.3 pixel samsung point and shoot which I think cost me about 340 Irish pounds at the time, oh how things have moved on since. That was in 2000 and since that initial camera I have owned a Sony bridge camera and a Canon 350d until both of them were stolen. In haste I went out and bought a Nikon D70 which opened my eyes up too a whole new world, it turned out to be the best buy in years as I found the Nikon dials and controls more to my liking. Lets not go down the road of which brand is best because we all know the answer to that one.

Next came a Nikon D200 which i still have and finally My beloved D700 which i just love. The first walk I was on was one which I co organised in my home town of Drogheda were 17 fellow photographers showed up for the day which was a great success. Next came a smaller walk involving just 3 of us which became know as Living History a Military and Roman exhibit, which blew us away in the detail these people but into there hobby (and I thought we were nerds).

I’ve been lucky enough to be invited twice to Mondello race track to shoot both cars and bikes, that day was just brilliant and its one I’m sure a lot of us will remember for a long time to come. If you have never been on a Photowalk my advice is make the effort to go to one, you will learn new skills make great friends and have a great time all in a short space of time.