Dani is a man with a plan
The fallout from the Covid 19 pandemic has included unexpected and strangely positive side effects. One of which is that people began to look at their life choices in a much healthier and more life affirming way. Dani Oliver is no exception, and when he found himself alone in his flat during lengthy lockdowns, he realised that life is just too short to waste another second. When he enrolled in the Photography Academy of Ireland (PAI), he was working full time as an IT Program Manager and like most people, he needed to keep his full-time job while he studied. The Academy was perfect and ticked all the boxes for Dani to execute his plan.
Image: Daniel Oliver, Carmen & David dancing Chotis at Montera street.
Time is precious
The photography passion was always bubbling in the background for Dani, but he is a smart and discerning individual who believes if you’re going to do something, you need to do it right!
The PAI course is a detailed and thorough education in photography as a craft, as a technician and an historian; and this is what speaks loudest to Dani. The pandemic didn’t just inspire him to follow his dream, it reminded him that working as an IT Program Manager once you are over 40, is not good for your health. Long hours and inevitable burn-out are not conducive to a newly awakened outlook on life.
Time is a precious commodity and Dani wants to pick and choose his jobs and be his own boss. While he was already a keen photographer before enrolling in PAI, Dani was quite happy to set his camera on auto and click. But now that he understands his equipment, a whole new world of possibilities has opened-up for him. Dani respects and appreciates the necessity to learn the technical capabilities of your equipment, but he also knows that this must be in conjunction with a broader and deeper knowledge of photography.
If he just wanted to learn how to use a camera, he could easily ‘watch a few YouTube videos.’ Now that he is discovering the capabilities of his equipment in a creative way, he has a new fascination with long exposure images and loves to experiment with light at night. He has been playing with light trails and city lights as he continues to learn how far he can take it.
Image: Daniel Oliver, Manchester tram at night.
Born to shoot
When Dani began analysing his own photography as part of the PAI course, he was humbled to learn he had an innate talent for framing and capturing a moment. The course has helped Dani evolve into a better street photographer and he is fascinated with ‘tiny moments in everyday situations’ and how ‘something as simple as a person sitting on a bench can become a larger-than-life image.’
Photography is in Dani’s soul but now, it is also in his brain. He says that his new skills have ruined television for him as he ‘can’t watch it without analysing the light’ or scrutinizing the framing. It’s as though his eyes are now a built-in viewfinder. This obsession is both a ‘blessing and a curse’ and he is intoxicated with the magic that photography can generate. Dani believes that a photograph has the ability to capture the true ‘spirit of a moment’ and ‘immortalize’ it. His newly evolved inner lens has moved him into ‘a new dimension’ where the whole world is now a roll of film waiting to be developed.
Image: Daniel Oliver, Drag artist - London Pride 2019.
That sweet spot
Just like those night shots with the slow shutter speed, Dani’s plan involves patience and careful planning. He will take his time and do it right. He will study in tandem with his work until he has saved enough money to extract himself from his IT career and devote all his time and energy to a new career in photography. He is in active pursuit of that ‘sweet spot between realistic earning and his artistic passion’ and understands he must learn the business end of professional photography to ensure he can build a sustainable business. Dani may be laying a carefully constructed roadmap, but he is not waiting around as he does so. He has already taken on some paid photography work including live events and some product photography. The PAI helped introduce him to food photography opportunities and he has helped friends with their weddings. Everything he does is a learning curve and can only serve to enhance his portfolio and experience.
Image: Daniel Oliver, Atocha station at night.
Dani is a macro lens in a micro world. His laser focus leaves no room for error, but his heart is open to the magic of photography. ‘Photography is art’ and he believes he will discover his identity through his craft. To make a living doing what you love means you never have to work again but Dani's crusade is something more profound. As he peers through that lens, he is seeking out his true self. Dani will continue to immerse himself deeper and deeper into learning and watch this space because he is certain to find himself smiling back.
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