Danny Sangra – Photographic work
In the picture
You’ll often see updates on here about Danny’s latest films, ads and artworks, but on this occasion we’re here to highlight another aspect to his ever-expanding supply of bowstrings – his photography.
If you’ve ever been on a project with Danny, you may have spotted him, in those moments when he isn’t writing, directing, operating cameras, set dressing, or staring deadpan into the middle distance, snapping away in the background.
We’re going to be showing you more of Danny’s photography over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out as we highlight his portfolios.
You always seem to carry a small camera with you in your pocket. Is this to document your life in images?
Yes, I suppose so. I don’t think I’m trying to document everything. It’s more like ‘let’s see if I can get at least one good photo’. My dad often used to carry a little Yashica around, so I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager.
Do these images also help with your other creative pursuits, for film, animation, art, illustration in some way?
Yes, but not in the way you would think. Each area I create things in, I get bored after an intense project. I then turn to another creative output. Photography is one of them. Writing screenplays does this automatically because when I finish writing, it naturally goes into the production side of things and then I’ll be filming. Photography is the one area I rarely do for anyone but myself so there’s a freedom that comes with it. I actually get most my initial ideas for stories from photography oddly enough.
What was your first camera? Did you ever own a Kodak Instamatic?
I was 5 or 6 and I was given a Polaroid Colorpack II. I don’t remember having any photos, but I would pretend to shoot with it all the time. After that I most likely had a bunch of Le Clic compacts until I was 15 and began using SLRs. I never owned an Instamatic personally.
Are you constantly taking stills on the set of your films?
I can’t because I’m directing. It’s hard to do both. I usually take photos if the crew are building stuff in between set-ups.
Do you have a favourite film based around photography?
Rear Window technically isn’t about photography but it is about a photographer’s view of the world around him. Otherwise, it’s a documentary: The Many Lives of William Klein.
Do you favour digital or photography on film?
I love film for the warmth and having to restrict yourself to specific limitations. But I want to see the work in real life, on the right paper and the colours in the way only film can depict. I just can’t afford to shoot film like I used to. Also, even when I was young I was impatient. I hated waiting to get colour developed, so digital has a style that suits me.
What’s the best of all the cameras?
It’s an old saying but it’s true – ‘the best camera is the one you have with you’. Everyone has different tastes. Personally, I like cameras I can keep minimal and in a pocket. I don’t want big lenses. When I’m directing, I don’t like carrying big cameras around with me.
Did camera phones transform your idea of photography?
Only in the way it felt more like the photographic version of a sketchbook to a canvas.
Do you keep personal and professional photography separate or do they tend to merge?
It’s all the same thing. It’s like that in all my work. If you want my work, you want me.
It ties in with an earlier question, but have you used your own photographs as a medium to draw and paint on?
In the way I know you mean, probably yes. I can’t think of what, but I don’t like to. I don’t shoot the style I like to draw on.
Are we likely to see an exhibition of your photographic work at some point?
Who knows if you are ever going to see an exhibition of ANY of my work. Everything just goes out online these days. If I ever do have another show then I’m sure photography will be in there.
Can you share with us a few of your personal favourite moments in images, from this summer so far?
See below…
