Inanimate Intrigue | Gus Faithfull | Phelt Pheatures

From Coober Pedy to Alice Springs and its surrounds, Gus evokes feelings of peace, solace and escapism in his shots.

Whether it be an outback house built by actor Vince Colosimo for the Mad Max films or Uluru glowing gorgeously in the afternoon light, each and every frame brings a sense of calm – they’re relaxing to take in. Eager to share the tale behind how he came across Colosimo’s construction Gus tells:

“I was in a bar the night before these shots, drinking a couple of quiet Kahlua and milks and there was one other guy in the bar, an old feller sipping some red. Old Jimmy. Seemed like an interesting character, and turns out he was. Old Jimmy owned the property and was psyched to have me take pictures of it.”

Gus or lollygag as he’s known to his followers on IG is drawn to far-out places, places of isolation. “I like adventuring alone.” And there’s no better spot to be just that amongst the red dirt of the Northern Territory.

Within these landscapes, Gus hones in on lonely-looking structures – a payphone, a halogen sign, a battered vehicle, a telegraph pole. The photographer giving these lifeless objects an air of intrigue.

For my mind, a lot of this has to do with Gus’s meticulous and considered composition – the way he arranges visual elements in the frame is special. Using soft light and shadow he creates pictures that inspire curiosity and a sense of wonder.

Funnily enough, when staring through the viewfinder Gus’s composition is the last thing on his mind. More often than not, it’s a mish-mash of random thoughts flying through his brain. For shots so precise it’s hilarious to discover what he’s really mulling over.

“For some reason, I’ll start thinking about putting vinegar on my potato cakes or someshit, just as I’m about to pull the trigger.” Whatever you’re thinking Gus, just keep thinking it!

It’s not only the Australian dust that calls to Gus, sun-drenched coastal spots also whet his whistle.