Nancy Pinkerton
Name: Nancy Pinkerton
Camera: Nikon D700, D3500, D5000
Favourite type of photography: Fine Art, conceptual, creative, special effects and portraiture
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Website: www.nancypinkerton.com
Instagram: @nancypinkertonphoto
How did you get into photography?
I have always been creative and loved drawing, painting and mixed media collage. I went to Mount Allison University in Canada to study Fine Arts. I was introduced to photography in my first year, where we concentrated on photograms and pinhole photography. I soon fell in love with photography for the power to create images that were new and different. I loved the distortions you could get by using certain lenses and the ability to capture something unique by the way you frame and shoot the image.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Mount Allison University, NB, Canada and an Associate distinction from the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS)
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
The first photograph I remember shooting was a pinhole photograph of the atrium between two buildings on the University campus. I had created a pinhole camera from a cylinder tube that had once been home to a bottle of whiskey. I had three pinhole lenses along the length of the cylinder. I open all three lenses for a couple of minutes. The resulting image showed the pillars of the atrium curved and overlapping. I loved that image it was so graphic and unique.
What do you love about photography?
I love being able to create unique images that tell amazing stories. Photography is a voice and a form of self-expression for me. I have always been a storyteller, but my dyslexia made me feel unconfident in writing and reading. Whereas pictures and images were easier for me to engage and communicate with.
Read our Guide to Understanding Camera Sensor Sizes
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
I sometimes wish I had developed my love of photography earlier so that I could have captured moments from the past. In terms of what I learned about photography, I feel I learned everything at the right time. Photography is a journey, it takes time to develop and you need to build on your experiences. If I had learned about levitation photography earlier I don't think I would have used it in the same way. Other things needed to happen before I got to the point where I was ready to explore this new technique and use it to tell stories from history.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
At the moment it's in the studio although most of the time I shoot my in make-shift studio I set up in my tiny kitchen/ living room. I make the most of my very limited space!
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
Levitation photography.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
For my levitation photography, I research the subject matter, plan out my image and create or collect the props I need. Then, I set up the image using supports and a fishing line. I take a foreground and background shot on a tripod. I put the images into Lightroom, do some global and local adjustments, then it is over to Photoshop where I layer my images and use a layer mask to remove the supports.
What's your favourite lens?
My 35 mm prime lens.
Read the SheClicks Guide to Lensbaby Lenses
Do you have a favourite accessory?
My peak design strap has made carrying my camera less painful!
Read our Peak Design Slide Lite Strap Review
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
No, I have given up as every bag I have tried causes pain. I just take the camera with one lens when shooting outdoors, where there is lots of walking. I only carry the camera bag to and from locations, the most minimal distance required.
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L Review
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Thaddeus Holownia who was my photography professor and taught me so much. In my earlier days of photography, I was inspired by Sally Mann's work, which has such a unique voice and perspective. I also loved the work of painter Marc Chagall when I was in my twenties, though I hadn't thought of his work in years. A while back, I saw one of his pieces again, and it occurred to me that the photographic work I do now has that dreamlike, surreal effect of things floating that made me love Marc Chagall's work.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Daisy May Nixon @daisymaydefined, Candia Peterson @candiapeterson and Muriel Binnie @murielbinnie
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
I sometimes toy with the idea of getting a mirrorless camera, but I’m not sure it's right for me just yet!
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
I would love to try underwater portraiture
What's your proudest photographic moment?
Coming up with the idea to tell stories about the Scottish Monarchs using playing cards and a chessboard and not giving up even when a wrist injury stopped me from picking up my camera for six months.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
To make objects magically float without the need for supports and fishing line would make what I do much less time-consuming!
Your favourite baked goods are?
Waffles, but these days, they need to be gluten and dairy-free!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a mixed media artist originally from Canada, now residing in Edinburgh for the past 18 years. My work seamlessly blends history, tourism and culture, captivating audiences and earning me an Associate distinction from the Royal Photographic Society in 2020 for my Scotland’s Chequered Throne® collection. My unique approach to art, particularly through the use of levitation photography, allows me to create magical and distinctive photographs that tell compelling stories.
One of my most celebrated collections, Scotland’s Chequered Throne®, uses objects, playing cards and a chessboard to narrate the tales of Scottish Monarchs. This innovative series exemplifies my talent for making history accessible and engaging for tourists and enthusiasts alike. My work continues to highlight my skill in blending artistic creativity with historical narrative, offering viewers a fresh perspective on Scotland's royal past.
Additionally, I'm embarking on a new project that uncovers another critical, yet often forgotten, piece of Scotland’s past: the Scottish Witch Trials.
This upcoming project promises to shine a spotlight on the lesser-known aspects of Scottish history, offering even more depth to the country's complex cultural narrative.
