Composition is King: Gavin Libotte on Street Photography, Music, and Finding Balance

Ever wonder how some photographers capture those striking, perfectly composed street scenes? It’s not always about luck. Sometimes, it’s about seeing the world through the eyes of a graphic designer. In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast, I chat with Gavin Libotte, an Australian street photographer and musician with a background in graphic design and fine art. Gavin shares his journey back into photography, his unique perspective on composition, and how he finds inspiration in everyday life. Gavin’s path to street photography wasn’t a straight line. He initially studied graphic design and fine art, learning darkroom techniques and film photography. This early training instilled in him a keen eye for composition and design elements. It was all about shapes, forms, and relationships within the frame. Life took him away from photography for a while after his gear was stolen. But, the spark was reignited years later through an unexpected connection. Teaching guitar to the son of renowned street photographer Markus Andersen opened a doorway back to his passion. Seeing Andersen’s work reignited Gavin’s love for capturing the world around him. This renewed passion led Gavin to pick up a camera again, starting with his phone and then a Ricoh GR2. He made it a daily practice to shoot, immersing himself in books and reconnecting with the visual aspects of his life. For Gavin, this was about balancing his long-standing musical pursuits with a visual outlet. When he’s out shooting, Gavin instinctively measures the relationships between objects, ensuring a balanced composition. If an image doesn’t feel right, he simply won’t post it. It’s this dedication to composition that sets his work apart. To refine his sequencing skills, Gavin sought advice from photographer Melissa O’Shaughnessy, who generously shared her process. She recommended studying the sequencing in Walker Evans’ “American Photographs” and Robert Frank’s “The Americans.” These books are renowned for their masterful visual storytelling. Evans’ and Frank’s work serve as excellent references for anyone looking to improve their sequencing. These books demonstrate how the order and arrangement of images can create a powerful and cohesive narrative, enhancing the viewer’s experience. Gavin is drawn to working with hard light, a technique he adapted after moving to Australia. Inspired by photographers like Ray K. Metzger, he uses harsh light and contrast to create striking images. Metzger’s use of black as a design element heavily influences Gavin’s style. Gavin’s journey highlights the importance of passion, resilience, and continuous learning in street photography. His graphic design background gives him a unique perspective on composition, while his experiences have taught him the value of perseverance. As Gavin says, “the doing of it, the practice, is more important than the result, in a way, because that is us living our lives, isn’t it?” Links from the show Gavin’s Website Instagram Gavin’s Book – Symphony Number Five