Don’t Overthink It With Richard Gaston

Richard Gaston, Glasgow based photographer, with  numerous commissions, publications and exhibitions, covering fashion, lifestyle, travel, landscape, collaborating with Nuvo, Norse Projects, Travel Guide Wild Scotland, Gentle Woman, Dualchas, to name but a few.

I am undone by  his point of view, written and visual, his images capture the untouched, unknown, forgotten, the silent, light and colour. Digital essays illustrating the impossibility of nature and cause to reflect about our place against time, space and chaos in the awe-inspiring beauty of nature.

Beyond the object reality, his perspective depicts a reality in the otherness, an abstraction of the landscape that creates for this viewer, a visual dreamscape, the endeavour to create is not lost in the beauty and grace of each frame. The spellbinding nature of Richard’s art has been cast.

Richard Gaston, photographer, explorer, collaborator, is my second guest on this, the first series of Don’t Overthink It. The aim, to connect with Creatives on the Isle of Skye and discover their who, what, why and more.

 Don’t Overthink It - Richard Gaston

 1.   Unpack Bothy culture/subculture?

Richard:  A place not just of refuge but of history and intriguing subject matter. It really brought together my two passions of nature and houses. The micro element of humankind immersed in the vastness of nature.

 2.   Your connection to the Isle of Skye where and when did it begin?

Richard: My connection first emerged 10 years ago during a winter visit with some friends. I found it so easy to photograph. The geology and rock formations of Skye stood out to me. There’s nothing else like it in Scotland (or even the world). The Cuillins are rocky and brittle unlike the majority of the grassy rounded tops in the Highlands. The prominent peaks make for a fantastic background to a photo. Along with the sloping land of the Quiraing and the shapely points of the Old Man of Storr. Then add the element of water which surrounds the land.

3.   Your one word to describe the Isle of Skye, what is it?

Richard: One-of-a-kind.

4.   It’s summer on the Isle of Skye, the wind and rain vertical, you are standing in your favourite place, where is it and what are you listening to? 

Richard: I like being by the water when it’s stormy, so I’d chose to be in Elgol with an unobstructed view of the Cuillins. I’d be listening to Bon Iver.

5.   Today, tomorrow, yesterday, what inspires you to create? 

Richard: The perpetual chase of the feeling shortly after I’ve taken a photograph that I’m happy with. 

6.   Yes, or no?

 Richard: Yes, to opportunity and progression but remember it’s okay to not always say yes to everything or everyone. Sometimes no offers more.

7.   What is your favourite Bothy with a view on the Isle of Skye?

Richard: The Lookout. Something particularly romantic about that one.

8.   Name the album you wish you had taken the cover photograph for? 

Richard: None come to mind, but a future Bon Iver album cover is aspirational.

9.   What comes first, the experience or the photograph?

 Richard:  The photograph. The photograph is the driving factor that brings me to these experiences.

10. What is the significance of ‘tread lightly’ in your practice?

 Richard: To not disturb the peace and composition of nature.

11. In discovering places, describe discovering yourself in those places?

Richard: Enduring the elements for a photograph can be frustrating but rewarding, but not always. At times when it doesn’t go to plan it can truly bring out the worst in me, the flip side of that is my character during my optimal mindset and happiness when I’ve achieved what I set out to do.

12. What book are you reading or writing?

Richard: I don’t read. I’m a visual person.

13. What lies and reveals in your frame to connect to place?

Richard: Natural beauty. Good design and people who are welcoming and kind.

14. Your connection to Alba, what is it?

Richard: Home. People. Laughter. Rugged beauty. Atmosphere and creativity.

15. What question would you ask yourself, share the answer?

Richard: When will you be fully satisfied? Perhaps when I have my home in the Highlands and have finally published a photo book.

 Thank you, Richard Gaston my super creative visual.

www.richardgaston.com