I have met a lot of photographers in my time, both via
friends and though work, and there were regular occasions where I’d find the
work immensely attractive only to meet the person behind the camera and
discover they’re aloof, immodest, or at worst totally unlikeable. I guess it’s like
hearing a band and after buying 3 albums finding out the lead songwriter is a
fascist or something...
At the other end of the scale is the rarity of seeing great
art and then finding the artist is actually a really nice person. Gareth – who I
haven’t seen in over 5 years since leaving my old job in Soho – was a gent. And
his photos are great. He has an eye that is very close to what I would see in
things when I was shooting so I think that drew me to a lot of his work in the
beginning. They can be deceptively simple, but are always intruiging images. Website here.