About Gavin Gough
Photographer, Workshop Leader and Author
My name is Gavin Gough. I’m a freelance editorial photographer, specialising in travel and documentary photography.
Biography
I grew up in southern England. After resigning from my job as a Systems Analyst in 2003, I sold my house, purchased a one-year, around-the-world ticket and a hundred rolls of film.
Kick-starting a new career as a photographer, I travelled around South America, island-hopped in the South Pacific, hiked and camped in New Zealand and Australia, explored South-East Asia and trekked in the Himalayas.
I moved to Bangkok in 2008, contributing to photo libraries and working on assignments for newspapers and magazines.
My wife and I lived in Austria for five years, spent one year in Rome, and we’re now based mostly in Switzerland, partly in Thailand.
Teaching
I founded the Bangkok Photo School and have led photography workshops in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
My photography
I have spent more hours in the chemically-laced atmosphere of cramped darkrooms than is medically advised. Consequently, the analogue process informs my approach to photography.
Don’t overcomplicate things.
Get it right in the camera.
Buy sturdy shoes.
Tea first, photography second.
I firmly believe that nothing better equips a photographer than open eyes and an open mind.
I love the process of making photos. Exploring with a camera in my hand is my Happy Place.
I’m slightly less enthusiastic about editing and processing but it’s a necessary part of the process, which is why my digital workflow has been finely-tuned to be efficient, effective and uncomplicated.
My work has evolved from travel photography and now also includes editorial assignments and documenting NGO projects.
Editorial: News & Current Affairs: for example, civil unrest and politics.
Development: such as Clean Water and Community Development programmes for NGOs.
Humanitarian: including Migration issues and Disaster Recovery
Kodachrome
In a nostalgic endeavour, I built a series of presets and camera profiles that emulate the look of Kodachrome film. Kodachrome defined the photographs of several generations, including my own. Sadly, it hasn’t been available for many years so a digital emulation is the closest we can get to the real thing.
Beyond the Frame Photography Newsletter
“Entertaining and educational… the gold standard in photography Substack.” — Monica Lord (Subscriber)
My photography newsletter stemmed from a desire to create more meaningful connections beyond the limitations of social media. With Beyond the Frame, I can publish directly to other photography professionals and enthusiasts.
“Always insightful and entertaining.” — Daniel Torres (Subscriber)
I publish two newsletter editions each week:
Tuesday (Free) — I share things that have informed, inspired and entertained me, almost always related to photography (sometimes about tea).
Friday (Paid) — I share photographs and Contact Sheets from my commissioned assignments, discuss what approaches and techniques were used and reveal what I learned in the process. I’m also compiling a comprehensive, week-by-week, Workflow Guide, covering all aspects of my work as a professional freelance photographer.
“Witty, entertaining, and informative.” — Debbie Oakes (Subscriber)
A growing list of topics can be found in the Newsletter Directory page.
Finally
Beyond photography, I adore good music, fine tea and my incredibly patient wife — not necessarily in that order.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about my work, photography (or tea), I’m always happy to answer them. If I don’t know the answer, I probably know somebody who does.
Why subscribe?
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