Behind the Lens - Thomas Gaffney

May 1, 2010
by John Lee  
Over the past 7 months I have had the privilege to get to know and work with Thomas Gaffney on a lot of various articles for Pinkbike. In the short time that I have gotten to know Tom, his work has gone from pretty good to just amazing!

It is my pleasure to introduce to you all to Thomas Gaffney
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Hey Tom - Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Thomas Gaffney, I'm 20 years old and a photographer currently living in Staffordshire.

When did you start getting into photography and how did your passion begin behind the lens?
I kind of fell into photography about 2 years ago after going to college to study Art & Design and after this it was photography all the way! I have always liked creating images and hopefully doing this will become my work.

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One of Tom first shots, Adam Halling

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One of Tom first shots

You did your first pro shoot this year with Sam Pilgrim, Blake Samson and Sam Reynolds - what was that like?
It was completely epic, to be very honest I was nervous as I have only ever covered downhill racing before. This was a great challenge though and after hating my first hour and a half’s work it slowly started to pull together and I even ended up with a published image in MBUK, which was a great experience.

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Sam Pilgrim going upside down into Corby's Foam pit - also landed him in MBUK!

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Having fun with the people involved!

With yourself being a downhill rider do you find other cycling boring to photograph?
Not at all, at first I was only into downhill, but my horizons are broader now! I enjoy every aspect of the sport now even if I’m useless at actually doing it, just gives you more respect for the people absolutely killing it in their discipline.

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Tom loves to ride too!

What camera setup are you currently using?
From January I have been using my Canon 5Dmk2, hands down the best money I have ever spent! Before that I had a 400D for about 2 years. The flashes I use are all borrowed and my syncs for the flashes where all about £20 off Ebay! But if it ain't broke don't fix it! Also got two borrowed tripods which are slowly falling apart.

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We know you love to shred as well as photograph - describe your dream ride and dream photo shoot?
Canada. It's my biggest dream to go there, I think it would be for anyone, just the trees and how everything is sculpted is so supreme. Another dream is to train as a bike coach so I can go and work over there in the summers and hone my photography in the spare time. Who to photograph there though would be a tough choice, just someone with bags of style such as Vanderham, Gracia, Hill, Fairclough and Steve Romaniuk got me into riding, so no doubt him as well.

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Which Photographers inspire you most and why?
I have always looked at Sterling Lorence's work and loved it. Just beautiful settings and he uses natural light really well too. One year for my birthday my partner did a drawing of one of his images and it was amazing.

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What do you prefer to shoot more than anything else?
Downhill. Simply, I just love trying to find angles other photographers aren't, love watching people at such high speed and it's the most scary one to watch. It's not until you get off the bike and watch that you think, "am I really going that fast?"!

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What's the most challenging factor to overcome in UK photography?
Exposure! Pricing and exposure. If it wasn't for John Lee I would probably have stayed in the shadows forever, but with this help I have got onto the front page numerous amounts of times and got my first POD and everything, so thanks for that. It's still really hard trying to get in with the big companies, just got to keep plugging.

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Is it a challenge to keep cycling photography fresh and original with so many talented guys out there doing it already?
Definitely, like I say I try and find different angles and stuff, but then I log on to here and my confidence is blown by so many people doing it and all to an immense standard. But I think riding really helps with creating angles because you stop and think, "a picture from there would look good." Worst feeling is seeing something epic and not having your camera.

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Blake Samson at Chicksands

What was it like meeting your hero Steve Peat for a very quick shoot?
It was awesome! I met him briefly at Bala NPS in '08 when I just started to get into photography and riding. Again it's weird as at first you are a bit star struck (Although I wasn't the worst!) but after talking for a bit it's all just like talking to a mate down the local woods, shame we didn't get more time.

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Catching Steve chilling out

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XC training with Steve Peat

You're covering most UK national races, Pearce rounds and other bike events - if people are wanting to get some pictures off you how do they do that?
Just keep posted on my race flickr for a few preview images and then take down my e-mail, send me the race number and what bike/attire you had on and that's it. I don't charge much and hope to get a different style of image at each round.

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Gee Atherton at Rheola

Anyone you want to say thanks to?
First of all is my partner Steph, she's been amazing straight up and supported me and missed times seeing me and not grumbled once, even enjoys coming to watch every now and again! She's always picked me up when I have hated my images and just been the best. Thank you.

Also John Lee! As without him I wouldn't be known to anybody, wouldn't have had the privilege to work with such talented people and wouldn't be doing this interview today! So cheers pal! As ever it's much appreciated!

And also just everyone I ride with and that's pushed up the hill countless times just to come down for a snap!

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jumble avatar

Member since Aug 4, 2008
94 articles

36 Comments
  • 1 0
 great pics! but i love the shots in natural action! during the races, training sessions or just freeriding and taking shots only whit the camera!! taking a good photo in that way, for me! means a lot! and.. yeah... i ride bike and thake photos...unfortunatelly i take better photos... Frown
  • 2 0
 Tom's got a good eye for unique shots - if you hunt through his galleries you'll find shots even better than the ones posted. He's got the talent to be one of the greats I think.
  • 1 0
 definatly! Tom picked these shots and it was really tough getting him to pick so few considering he has so many on his computer and on pinkbike!
  • 2 1
 Overall sick shots, but it looks like you only learned the rule of thirds about two thirds of the way through the article Smile Basics, dog.

Seriously, though, not hating. You've got some talent behind the lens for sure.
  • 2 2
 Finally a guy from Burton who does Photography and Rides Bikes, Just like me what a combo.

Do you ride local in Burton ie: Cannock Chase, Alvaston Bmx Track or just around the town centre. ?
  • 4 1
 What kind of camera is he using(?).. the quality is awesome!
  • 2 3
 You didn't read all the article did you? He said he uses a Canon5D MKII which is a shit hot camera and not really meant for this kind of work but it does it well, better than I ever thought it would Smile

Nice shots by the way
  • 1 1
 "Not really meant for this kind of work" ?! How's that? Because it doesn't have a 10+ fps capability?

Who cares what you get your images with?
  • 2 0
 No Andy Wink , I meant it's not supposed to have as good(fast) an auto focus as the 1D series, but after playing around with it over the last few weeks I've found it to very capable of MTB photography.
I'll stick a few up I took of young Lewis
  • 1 0
 Cool. It's amazing when you read your (as in mine) replies back they sound incredibly rude. Not intended!

I see what you mean. Yep I can vouch for the 1ds MKII's autofocus. It is very good. One of the reasons I hang on to that camera. Although it will be interesting to see what the MKIV is like. Perhaps it may tempt me.
  • 4 2
 awesome stuff tomo nice one pal! all the best for the future berg Wink
  • 3 2
 Great Article, Tom you have the talent to go along way mate.
  • 3 2
 mint article,some sweet pics on there to.good stuff .
  • 2 1
 how do you find these sketchy hypnotic songs
  • 1 0
 Nice One Dude.. Keep it real man =]
  • 2 2
 Good stuff tom. some of them shots in this article are shit hot. youve came along way in 8-9 month.
  • 3 1
 POD x 20!
  • 2 2
 Nice article keep at it tomo!
  • 2 2
 Great Article, some cool pics there to mate
  • 2 2
 wicked article pal, pics are sikk Smile
  • 2 2
 Nice Tomo...Keep up the good work bro!
  • 2 2
 nice article , great pic's!!!!
  • 3 2
 keep it up tom!
  • 7 8
 best photos by far....
  • 11 7
 Pretty much all of the riding photos in that could get POD tup
  • 6 9
 Yeah Tomo, best UK photographer
  • 3 2
 I love the fox 360 jersey! And those photos are amazing! Drool Beer
  • 1 2
 Quality stuff boys!
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