We chat to the photographer behind this month’s cover art, Dani Bacon…
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m a young 32-year-old working as a writer, photography studio owner and studying a Masters in Magazine Journalism. I have unlimited creative interests, each month I’m onto something new, currently its lino printing and puzzles! Photography has been a huge part of my life, I first picked up a film camera at twelve and I haven’t really put one down since. I studied the subject at college and university and I now have a slightly obsessive collection of film cameras.
What is the story behind the cover?
Our fab LeftLion editor Sophie tasked me with taking a photo of the Herbie Hare art studio at Sneinton Market. I’d walked past this place several times peering into the windows at the sheer volume of colour and bizarrely enticing art pieces and sculptures. I rocked up on the day of the shoot, met Adrian the owner whom I immediately vibed with, he’s such a nice chap! Then together we set about moving his heavy and delicate mannequins around to get the best shot that represents all that he does. It was such a fun shoot.
What inspires you as a photographer?
I’m inspired by moody and grainy street photography, expired rolls of film from eBay, rain-soaked streets, neon lights, friendly people, cinematic scenes, a good cup of tea, black and white movies, windy days, electro music with a hint of jazz, good looking film cameras, magazines, little trips abroad and to the Peaks, pets, street art, beaches, candid portraits and the golden hour.
Although I don’t often shoot moving image, as a huge movie fan I am often inspired by great cinematography, for example movies such as A Ghost Story, Poor Things, The Lighthouse, Melancholia and Psycho (plus more that I can’t think of right now).
Tell us about some things you have worked on in the past?
I’ve captured some exciting shoots for LeftLion before and since I became Photography Editor. I often focus on experimental style photography such as soaking 35mm film rolls in tea and using expired film. I assisted Lomography UK on a workshop in Derby recently and I’ve been working on a project titled ‘Mortar Memories’ featuring 35mm and medium format photographs of old buildings across Nottingham and Derby. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to be on the judging panel in the photography category for the Young Creative Awards which was so rewarding. And in October 2023 I took over a photography studio in Beeston called The Pigeon Loft. It’s been so gratifying creating a quirky space for photographers to come and shoot in - we’ve seen some really innovative and exciting shoots already!
Do you have any tricks for getting started and staying inspired as a creative?
Creativity is about fun, learning, experimenting and self-expression. I often hear people say, ‘I’m not creative at all’, but I think we all are, just in different ways. I do often get struck down with a nice slice of imposter syndrome, but it's important to remember that we all start somewhere. No one is amazing at something straight away, so give it a go and enjoy the process.
If you could sit down and chat with any artist in the field, who would it be and what would you talk about?
Lina Scheynius is one of my favourite photographers that I came across when I was sixteen. She predominantly shoots 35mm self-portraits, photographs of her friends and personal life in the style of a photographic diary, but her photos are always so ethereal and raw. I’d love to ask her what inspires her to take each photograph, if she takes each photo as and when something crops up or if they are planned, and how she collates these into her series of books.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell the LeftLion readers?
I want to give a little shout out to the incredible LeftLion team that together produce a jolly fabulous, valuable and free read to Nottingham. It’s such a vital publication that highlights the creativity and diversity of our great city. It’s easy to forget the amount of work, effort and fresh ideas that go into every single page, but these guys do it with style! <3
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