Newcastle’s Photographic Revolution: a story about Sandstone and Fashion
An interview with Newcastle based photographer Gary Ormston
written by Simon Jameson
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, to many across Europe this city conjures up images of drunken bachelor parties, fighting outside taxi ranks, student bar crawls getting out of hand and an accent that is to most unfathomable… Being a Geordie myself (Native to Newcastle), this is a reputation that pains me. The city is so rich in culture and talent that you do not even have to scratch the surface to find it. It towers above us as we walk through the beautiful sandstone streets that meld seamlessly into modern architecture. You are greeted by it from the unforgettable friendliness of the diverse locals wearing the varied fashions the city is fast becoming synonymous with.
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Newcastle is a very fashionable city and is far removed from the “party city” reputation it once was known for. Bars and clubs are now making way for restaurants and galleries. In particular photography seems to have exploded in the northeast (the epicentre being Newcastle). With a huge amount of talent emerging from the region. One such talent is Gary Ormston. Street fashion Magzzine have been keeping an eye on Gary for a little while now. His images of Newcastle architecture just blew us away and when he started posting fashion images incorporating his architectural style. Well, we just knew we had to have him in for a chat.
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The man behind the camera
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Cover: Cassidy @cassidym2020
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Hi Gary, thank you very much for taking the time out to speak to me today.
No problem mate. Having followed your work for a little while on Instagram I’m excited to talk to you about yourself and your work. First of all, let me just say that I am a big fan of your images. The quality and emotion you depict in an image is just beautiful. Ah Thank you very much that means a lot. No thank you. It’s always a treat seeing your work pop up. But I’ll try not to spend all of our time together gushing too much. Let’s start off by asking a little bit about yourself… Where abouts are you based? I’m based in Newcastle not too far from city centre. So not too much of a commute to some good locations then? No not at all, just a 40 min walk along the river. How old are you? And at what age did your passion for photography start? I’m 36. When I was in my teens, I always liked taking photos with old mobile phones to even the game boy camera pack ha-ha, I remember getting a Sony cyber shot digital camera in my 20s and remember shooting a friend’s wedding on it, but the passion came from when I took the same camera to New York and just started shooting all the architecture and the streets so when I came back home I was on the hunt for a DSLR. |
Siobhan
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Nice! If you're going to get the bug for architecture photography, then New York is the place to do it!
Yeah, for sure! There’s always something different to shoot there too. I've only been twice but I love the place. That’s awesome man. I’m hopefully going to get back there soon when we are allowed. Yeah man go for it! I think we all have a lot of catching up to do traveling wise! So, I assume you are self-taught? Yes, I’m self-taught a couple of friends taught me a couple of things when I first started but apart from that I’ve always figured things out on my own and still trying to be honest ha-ha. Always learning is another reason why I love photography. I think that rings true with pretty much every photographer I meet. Always, learning feeds the passion. |
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Would you say architecture is your primary genre?
Yeah, sort of I mean, I shoot a few different things from urban, street and portraits. Architecture is always around the things I shoot. If I’m shooting portraits, I always look for different locations and buildings for a backdrop for the shoot
Looking at your images you can really tell that you do take the time to bring the location into your images.
Ah thanks, yeah, I’m always walking around town looking for different places and getting ideas.
So, the city gives you inspiration... what else inspires your style?
Sunny days {laughs} I always try and follow the sun when shooting, I love a good sun flare. I’m also into street fashion so I’m always looking at how people shoot that sort of style. Before COVID I’d meet up with friends down London as we are pretty much into the same stuff and we would shoot sneakers and portraits.
Ah nice! Totally off topic, favourite pair of sneakers?
{Laughs} it would deffo be the airmax ones or the 90s for sure.
Yeah, sort of I mean, I shoot a few different things from urban, street and portraits. Architecture is always around the things I shoot. If I’m shooting portraits, I always look for different locations and buildings for a backdrop for the shoot
Looking at your images you can really tell that you do take the time to bring the location into your images.
Ah thanks, yeah, I’m always walking around town looking for different places and getting ideas.
So, the city gives you inspiration... what else inspires your style?
Sunny days {laughs} I always try and follow the sun when shooting, I love a good sun flare. I’m also into street fashion so I’m always looking at how people shoot that sort of style. Before COVID I’d meet up with friends down London as we are pretty much into the same stuff and we would shoot sneakers and portraits.
Ah nice! Totally off topic, favourite pair of sneakers?
{Laughs} it would deffo be the airmax ones or the 90s for sure.
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Charlie @charliescottg
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Cool! So, are there any photographers that inspire you?
Yeah, so the past few years I’ve started watching YouTube for ideas and I’d say Peter McKinnon is always inspiring me and also northboarders and 7th era from Australia. I’m also a big fan of David Wallace too. Wow, that's an impressive list! Moving on, what would you say your proudest moment would be (photography wise)? Would probably be my first and only wedding I done a few years back with my mate. I was so nervous about it, but my mate helped me through. We went beyond what the clients were wanting and made them a book of the full day which they weren’t expecting so when we took it round to them and saw their reaction, I was really proud of what we done. That's awesome! I take it they were blown away? Yeah, they were and so was I to be honest as my mate sorted that side of the job out. Weddings can be such a nerve-wracking thing to shoot. I'm always in awe of the people that do it. well done! Yeah, same I could never do it again. {laughs} At least you've done one. It's ticked that box bud. Yeah, I’m always willing to try different things when it comes to photography. So, what hurdles have you encountered in your photography career to date? Up until lockdown I’ve not had that many but now, I’m finding it quite hard as I feel like I’m always shooting the same thing and it can be okay for a while. But I feel like it’s just getting repetitive. Yeah, I know exactly what you mean on that side of things. My backdrop has never seen so much use. So, looking back, would you do anything differently now if you had to start all over again from scratch? Yeah, when I look back, I wish I’d have started this a lot earlier! {Laughs} I'm sure you have many years left in you to make up for that lost time though. Fingers crossed! {laughs} In the many years to come, where do you see your photography career leading you? I hope it leads me to more different places, but I also want to get into doing studio work to as I’ve never tried that yet so I’m going to try get into that soon. Ah cool, I can't wait to see your work from that. Appreciate that man! |
Kat @kat.hardy20
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Looking at your images and what we have talked about, who would you say is the most interesting person you have worked with and why?
This is a tough one because I’ve met loads of awesome people doing this and come out learning something new every time but I met a guy called David hall (@nostalgia_kid on Instagram) and the way he shoots his street photography is amazing and always interests me. Ah man yeah! I've seen his work, it's awesome. He shot an over exposed image of a kid riding a scooter the other day that was unreal! Yeah, I’m always in awe of his work. Sorry I'm totally digressing here… It’s all good man! So, I want to go a little bit geeky before wrapping it up and letting you get on with your night bud if that's alright? Yeah, that’s fine. What equipment do you use when shooting fashion/portraiture? So, I have a Nikon D610, and I have two lenses one being a 50mm and my other lens which I’m using the most even for portraits is my Irix 15mm. Not many people I know shoot wide angle portrait photography, but it works for my style. I was just about to say that's super wide for most portrait photographers. But you can't really argue with the results you're getting! Appreciate that man thank you. |
Kat @kat.hardy20
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Do you shoot natural light only?
Yeah, just natural light mate. That's cool! What would your dream kitbag be? Like the actual bag or what would I like in the bag? All of the above ha-ha! Ah okay. So, the kit bag I have at the minute is a great camera bag by the company Thule it’s a travel bag with a camera part on the side and room for weekends worth of clothing at the top. My dream gear would be the Sony A1 with a sigma art 35mm and I’d bring over my Irix lens too and that would be a dream for me. Nice! That A1 looks like a proper dreamy piece of kit. Sony are really pushing the boundaries of what a camera can do at the moment. Yeah, I’m looking to upgrade my gear soon so looking at A7iii so hopefully I can pick one up in the near future. I think Sony is the sensible choice at the moment. Yeah, my Nikon is on its way out so it’s time to upgrade. |
My final question...
What advice would you give to someone that wants to pursue photography?
Always shoot raw, have fun with it and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Good advice Gary!
Thanks again for giving up your time to speak to me today.
No worries mate!
What advice would you give to someone that wants to pursue photography?
Always shoot raw, have fun with it and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Good advice Gary!
Thanks again for giving up your time to speak to me today.
No worries mate!
Siobhan
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Publishing Date: 13.04.2021
Credits
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Interview & Text
Simon Jameson Layout & Design Annika Maug |
