The accidental artist

By Micaela Togher

It was pure chance that led recent Photography Studies College (PSC) graduate Gary Tate to study photography.

“One of my best friends is a professional photographer, I saw some of his work and thought I’d like to do something creative,” Gary told Southbank News.

2020 marked the beginning of Gary’s final year at PSC, coming with a set of challenges he never saw coming.

“We were at PSC for one week before COVID hit. If it weren’t for the lecturers, I probably would have deferred,” he said.

Gary, who credits photographers Arthur Felling and Tim Hetherington as his major influences, believes the lockdown period that followed forced him to explore different styles of photography.

“A lot of us had to do things we wouldn’t have thought we’d have to and ended up falling in love with a form of photography we never would have done. I ended up loving landscape photography,” Gary said.

Despite his newfound passion for different styles, Gary is certain where he sees himself in the years to come.

“Most of the time I contact bands or performers but now I’m starting to get some of them contacting me. I’d love to be able to say, I’m sorry you’ll just have to wait until I can get around to see you,” Gary said.

Until then, Gary is learning through his experiences with the artists he photographs.

“It’s a really strange thing – a lot of times they [artists] ask if I was happy with what they did. They have as many fears as photographers do. We all have a lot of self-doubt, probably because we are all putting ourselves out there,” he said.

He also has a message for any budding photographers thinking about exploring their creative side.

“Anything that’s crazy that comes into your head, you turn it into a photograph and people think you’re sane. It’s very cathartic, everybody should try it. You never know what could happen,” Gary said •

For more information: Instagram @taken_by_tate_photos