Wild Visions Exhibition

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PRESS RELEASE

UNCOVER THE WILD VISIONS OF TASMANIA AT AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER DARRAN LEAL’S STUNNING EXHIBITION TASMANIA, OCTOBER, 2008

As a result of the second Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, recent images captured by internationally renowned and award winning Australian photographer, Darran Leal, will be displayed at a ‘Wild Visions’ photo exhibition from October 31, 2008 until Autumn 2009 at The Wilderness Gallery, Cradle Mountains Chateau, located in the stunning alpine woodlands two-hours west of Launceston. The $2 million Wilderness Gallery – open daily from 10am to 5pm with free entry to guests of the Chateau – will host Leal’s third major exhibition, which will feature 50 of his most recent spectacular wildlife and wilderness works, and raise funds for the ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil Program’ http://www.wildernessgallery.com.au/.

“Tasmania is an incredible destination for me to shoot because it offers beautiful soft light, with many changes to both environment and weather conditions,” Darran said. “Tasmania was the first place I travelled to after leaving school in 1979, and I am excited to be back to showcase my ‘Wild Visions’ exhibition in the unique Wilderness Gallery in Cradle Mountains,” he continued.

Three large rooms in The Wilderness Gallery – Australia’s largest privately owned photographic gallery dedicated to the display of wilderness and landscape photography – will feature Darran's works, with 15 of the captivating images portraying Tasmanian devils, stunning seascapes and the natural and wild beauty of Tasmania. The images will take viewers on a spectacular visual journey around the island, immersing visitors in an array of enchanting experiences that Tasmania has to offer. The exhibition will also feature Darran's photos from international destinations and mainland Australia.

Darran's passion for Tasmania has also inspired him to donate fifty percent of all sales from his Tasmanian Devil “Hero Shot” to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program – which was established to help protect the Tasmanian Devil from the devastating effects of the Tasmanian Devil facial tumour disease, which threatens to wipe out the wild Tasmanian devil population. Some of Darran’s most stunning pieces feature the Tasmanian Devil in the wilderness. http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/

Darran is one of the world’s most diverse and seasoned photographers, having travelled the world for over 30 years shooting spectacular wilderness and wildlife images. His work has been published around the world and he has been commissioned by Qantas, Australia Post, Australian Geographic, Steve Parish Publishing and other companies to produce his masterpieces. This year, Darran entered the annual Cannon Australian Professional Photography Awards, and won a Gold and three Silvers. Darran was also highly commended in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

Notes

The second Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Adventure took place in Tasmania from April 5 to 13 this year, after the state was selected by Adobe organisers from a pool of contenders around the globe as the destination for the exclusive nine-day photographic project. Focusing primarily on the Bicheno, Hobart and Cradle Mountain regions, the resulting images will be published in a beautiful glossy handbook which will reveal Tasmania’s stunning beauty to the rest of the world, and showcase the newest features of the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software. The adventure has also been tracked online, with the seventeen member team blogging and posting their images on http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/adventure/ The photographers were hand-picked from around the world as representing the best in diverse photographic fields.

Travel to Tasmania

Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Qantas or Tiger Airways, or take the 9 hour Sprit of Tasmania ferry from Station Pier in Port Melbourne (VIC) to The Esplanade, East Devonport (TAS). Luxury accommodation at Cradle Mountain includes Cradle Mountain Chateau (www.cradlemountainchateau.com.au/ cradlemountainchateau-wheretostay.asp) and Cradle Mountain Lodge (www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au/), while Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (www.cradlevillage.com.au/index.htm) provides beautiful private cottages that cater to singles, couples and families. For more information, visit www.discovertasmania.com or call 1800 623 191.