DESERT ISLAND DSLR
Laura Pannack Documentary and portrait photographer
www.laurapannack.com
What’s your favourite place on Earth?
I’m tempted to either say my bed or somewhere I haven’t been before.
What’s on your memory card? There are two shoots. One is shooting a 102-year-old woman for The Guardian Weekend, which I did yesterday in Swindon. The other one was a shoot today, a commission for The British Journal of Photography.
If you could only have a smartphone or a DSLR for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
I mainly shoot analogue, so I’d say smartphone. If I wasn’t allowed analogue, then I’d say a DSLR.
What accessory or gadget should every photographer own?
It’s not really a gadget, but I’d always have a reflector.
Why do you photograph people?
I think they’re more interesting because they’re unpredictable. Landscapes and still-lifes are controllable, but you never really know how people are going to react. How do you build trust with someone when you’re shooting? Empathy, compassion and listening – and being interested in people. I think people like it if you’re interested in them. And humour helps!
Which lens would you be most upset to lose?
Probably my Hasselblad lens, which is an 80mm Zeiss lens. It’s the lens I use most often.
Who’s the first photographer that comes to your mind and why?
The photographer who has been most supportive of my career is Simon Roberts. I used to assist him, and he’s always been incredibly supportive and encouraging, and given a lot of time.
Is there any kind of photography you’re bad at?
Yeah, of course! The thing I’m probably worst at is still-life, because I don’t have much patience.
What is top of your bucket list?
It mainly involves travelling. There are three or four places I’m really itching to travel to. I’ve actually broken my foot at the moment, so I’m feeling even more suffocated than normal. I’d definitely say Iceland is on my bucket list, Bolivia and Tasmania.
Could you live without Photoshop? Yep, definitely.
What words of wisdom can you give to aspiring pro photographers?
It depends on the person and what they’re trying to do. I always think that assisting is really good. I also think being hard on yourself is a good idea – it pushes you to work harder.
And lastly, always enjoy it! The worst thing is when people push themselves to do things like projects and put themselves under pressure, and they’re just not enjoying it.
What is your Desert Island DSLR? The camera I have at the moment: my Hasselblad 500 C/M.
Laura has won the Women Seen By Women award in the Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers competition. See her winning images at www.thegalaawards. com/women-seen-by-women-1, and at Barcelona’s Gallery Valid Foto from 10-28 April.