Inspirational Islanders: Steve Gascoigne, Photographer

After 13 years of photographing the Isle of Wight, Steve and his wife Sharon opened Available Light Gallery & Gifts in Newport in 2013. Selling everything from panoramic prints and canvasses to coasters, mugs and even mouse mats, the shop is the ideal place to pick up an Island view to take home with you.

“From a photographer’s point of view, the Island has so much to offer with such a varied landscape. Low levels of light pollution make the night sky a joy to photograph and the sun rises and sets all around the coast all year, making for some dramatic pictures. It’s a great place to live as the pace of life is more gentle than on the mainland and there is such a lovely community here.

My favourite place on the Island has got to be along the coast at Compton Bay, but Shorwell, further inland, is a close contender too.

My favourite Island event is probably the Chale Show as it has so much history and is a great illustration of Island life with all its varied stalls and attractions.

My fondest memory of growing up on the Island is playing down in the sand by Appley Tower in Ryde. On my return to the Island in 1999, we visited Ryde and many memories were evoked by seeing the tower again. I live in Ryde now.

If I only had one hour on the Island, I think I would go for a drive around the Island’s wonderful coastline. It’s really difficult to pick just one spot as there’s so much to see. I would recommend spending some time in our gallery though, then you could see most of the Island in one sitting if only in a virtual form.”