"Dried Rose Bud" Photograph

Gary Horsfall divides his time between Treasure Beach, Jamaica; Seattle, Washington; and wherever else his work and travels lead. Recent journeys have ranged from countless walks across Seattle to a 1,200-mile 4x4 trek through Australia’s Northern Territories and Western Australia — Darwin to Broome, on and off Highway 1 — with many places in between.

The theme of his work is simple: unlock what’s in plain sight. A lifelong observer of the world, Gary’s fascination with art, beauty, and creativity finds expression through his photography. He captures what is often overlooked — people in their natural environments, the quiet grandeur of nature, and the intricate textures of both man-made and natural objects. His lens works close, revealing nuance in the small as well as the monumental.

What makes his work resonate, he hopes, is the subtlety that rewards careful observation. His images invite questions: What’s the relationship between the elements captured? What’s the situation? Is there a complication suggested? What story unfolds as you look longer?

The unexpected is often there. In Trinidad 2017 No. 59, what’s in the bootblack’s right ear? It’s not a hearing aid. In Santiago 2017 No. 6, when was the last time you saw someone with four feet? Such moments — curious, layered, and often missed — run throughout his work.

Gary’s black-and-white images draw inspiration from the Golden Age of photography, spanning the late 1800s through the 1950s, when artists like Steichen, Sander, the Westons, Cunningham, Walker, Frank, Abbott, and Penn transformed how we see the world. His monochrome work channels that tradition, interpreting today’s world through the lens of a timeless visual language.