BIOGRAPHY
Dan Santoni works in photography, effects animation, and art direction. He is originally from Detroit, MIchigan. In Detroit his photography gained recognition in the early ninties. His work won numerous awards in the Detroit Metro Times, including first place color. He also recieved editorial recognization in the Detroit News, Detroit Metro Times, and various other publications. He became greatly involved in the underground music scene in the mid eighties, which greatly influenced his work. In the early ninties Dan also became involved in organizing multiple club events. These events included djs, still and movie projections, multimedia sculptures, and artwork. They took place in such places as the Majestic Theatre, The State Theatre, and 2036.
Dan moved to Los Angeles in 1994. There he continued to work on his photography. Some of his credits include work with Lucia of KMFDM, The Genitortures, Collide, and Carbon 12. He has also worked with models such as; Kumi Monster, Storm, Shannon (Chrome Girl), Persephone, Audra (Gwar's Kitty), Morrigan Hel, Pia, Perish, Yaya, Melodie Gore, and Darenzia.
Some of Dan's works have been published in Guitar Magazine, Metal Edge, Mix Magazine, Outburn Magazine, Industrial Nation(cover), Marquis Magazine (germany, four page spread), Erotique Digitale (uk), and Carpe Noctem. His work has been shown in the following galleries across the United States; 2036, Urban Park, Dark's Art Parlour, Stormy Leather, Blue Space Gallery, and Echo Gallery.
Dan, also became involved in onset art direction, and effects animation. His works can be seen in film, television, and music videos. Some of his credits include work on; The Day After Tomorrow, Minority Report, Angel and Buffy, Birds of Prey, Sisqo, Dj Rap, and Ziggy Marley music videos, etc.
Dan's painting with light, or gels style has become his own unique style that he has been developing since the early ninties. His use of lights and darks are all done in "front" of the camera. Dan shoots with both film, and digital cameras. The digital images are the only images that are manipulated. This is due to the fact that digital images do not have the same quality film has. The black are not as rich, and deep, so there are some level adjustments and air brushing techniques that are used. He loves to create images that evoke an element of unsettling beauty.
Some of Dan's influences are Peter Greenaway, Julie Margaret Cameron, Pierre et Giles, David La Chapelle, Terry Gilliam, David Fincher, Jean Pierre Jeunet, 28 days Later, Fight Club, Ed Wood, Hellraiser, Session 9, Battle Royale, and various cult movies.
Upcoming shoot includes work with: Margaret Cho. Upcoming published work in "A" Magazine (Milan, Italy).
