Portrait - Daragh McDonagh

This next photographer Daragh McDonagh I found on the British Journal of Photography website. After living in Manhattan, New York for a number of years as a professional photographer he decided to move back to his home land after feeling disconnected from the fast pace of the city and chose to photograph the Modern Shamans of Ireland after searching them online and feeling comfortable with both groups. He met up with them for a few months before taking a camera out which helped build a relationship with the subjects as well as trust amongst everyone and also the fact that he had a genuine personal interest with the subject itself. He shot on location for these images and used no backdrop and only natural northern light as he wanted to keep it simple and less intimidating for his subjects. It has the story on the website link below where the images are also found here -  http://www.bjp-online.com/2014/11/daragh-mcdonagh-the-modern-pagan/
An example of one of his images. I think one of his best from the series and actually my favourite. It's a great image, in my opinion. It is very central and is slightly over exposed but which he addresses and justifies. The look of thought on the woman's face is a great capture and creates and makes this quite a powerful image with meaning. You end up wondering about the woman and her life. I think it is also a good backdrop considering being on location, it looks like it could be a wall of a building very easily. The image is light and pale and the only real vibrant colour that stands out is the woman's top, her hair matches effortlessly with the backdrop, it almost blends right in.

All images belong to Daragh McDonagh