ABOUT
Human nature and the human condition are the foundational elements of Thomas Main’s lens-based practice.
These themes allow him to shape and mould them to reflect the complexities of vulnerability and ethical flaws—ranging from explorations of the male body to political ego. The human presence may appear either directly or in abstract form within the finished work, where a consistent thread of political critique underpins this aspect of his practice.
Main’s chosen media are photographic film and wet print processes, primarily in black and white, though colour film is employed when the project calls for it. Working in the darkroom with large-format film negatives allows him to produce highly detailed prints by hand, this enables a nuanced use of shadow and tonal separation to subtly reveal hidden elements that are often conceptually linked to the written source material.
The negatives are printed on fibre-based warm-tone paper, and in some cases, Main incorporates mark-making into the print process to further deepen the narrative or visual impact. When appropriate, projects are extended into the creation of handmade artist books.
Prior to graduating from the Glasgow School of Art with a BA(Hons) Fine Art Photography, Thomas Main was a freelance editorial photographer commissioned by the UK national press, magazines and corporate clients.
Contact studio@thomasmain.com
Exhibitions
June 2026 A Seat at the Table Group Exhibition, WASPS South Block, Osborne St, Glasgow.
Feb 2026 Holding Conversations Group Exhibition, Visual Arts Scotland, Custom Lane Gallery, Edinburgh.
March 2025 MEN Zine Launch, Good Press, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2025 MEN Solo Exhibition, LAB Gallery, GSA, Glasgow, Scotland.
Jan 2025 WiP Group Show, Strangefields, French Street, Glasgow, Scotland.
Nov 2024 Sugar Sells Group Show, Govan Project Space, Glasgow, Scotland.
Sept 2024 Pinsent Masons Group Show, Glasgow, Scotland.
May 2024 Bits & Bytes Group Exhibition, New Glasgow Society, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2024 In-Stock Group Exhibition, Studio Plant, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2024 Salon des Inclusion Group Show, Annex Gallery, GSA, Glasgow, Scotland.
Dec 2023 Fluxus Group Show, The New Glasgow Society, Glasgow Scotland.
Sept 2023 Pinsent Masons Group Show, Glasgow, Scotland.
May 2023 Momentum Group Show, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow Scotland.
May 2023 Book Launch Group Launch, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow Scotland.
March 2023 From Workbench to Wall Group Show, GSA Stow Studio, Glasgow, Scotland.
Feb 2023 First Contact Group Show, GSA Barnes Garage, Glasgow Scotland.
May 2006 The PPY Group Show, National Theatre, Lyttleton Foyer, London.
Awards
2010 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year.
2009 The Press Photographer’s Year: Selected Features.
2008 British Journalism Awards: Sports News Picture, Highly Commended.
2007 Scottish Press Photography Awards: Sports Photograph of the Year.
2006 The Press Photographer’s Year: First Prize - Royals.
2006 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year.
2005 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year
All images and material contained in this website a subject to the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988. Contact the photographer in the first instance requesting information on reproducing these photographs
ABOUT
Human nature and the human condition are the foundational elements of Thomas Main’s lens-based practice.
These themes are surveyed to reflect the complexities of vulnerability and ethical flaws—ranging from intimate explorations of the male body to sharp critiques of political ego. The critical perspective necessary for this work is developed through research into books, newspaper articles, news programming, and film, providing both historical and contemporary context. The human presence may appear either directly or in abstract form within the finished work, underpinned by a consistent thread of political critique.
Main primarily works with photographic film and wet print processes, favouring black and white, though colour is employed when the project necessitates it. Utilising large-format film negatives in the darkroom, he produces highly detailed prints by hand. This intensive process enables a nuanced use of shadow and tonal separation to subtly reveal the work's inherent depth and complexity, establishing a strong conceptual link between technical execution and the project’s source material.
The resulting prints are made on fibre-based warm-tone paper. In some cases, Main incorporates mark-making directly into the print process to deepen the narrative or visual impact. Projects are often extended into the creation of handmade artist books, expanding the work's conceptual scope and physical presentation
Prior to graduating from the Glasgow School of Art with a first class BA(Hons) Fine Art Photography, Thomas Main was a freelance editorial photographer commissioned by the UK national press, magazines and corporate clients.
Contact studio@thomasmain.com
Exhibitions
June 2026 A Seat at the Table Group Exhibition, WASPS South Block, Osborne St, Glasgow.
Feb 2026 Holding Conversations Group Exhibition, Visual Arts Scotland, Custom Lane Gallery, Edinburgh.
March 2025 MEN Zine Launch, Good Press, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2025 MEN Solo Exhibition, LAB Gallery, GSA, Glasgow, Scotland.
Jan 2025 WiP Group Show, Strangefields, French Street, Glasgow, Scotland.
Nov 2024 Sugar Sells Group Show, Govan Project Space, Glasgow, Scotland.
Sept 2024 Pinsent Masons Group Show, Glasgow, Scotland.
May 2024 Bits & Bytes Group Exhibition, New Glasgow Society, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2024 In-Stock Group Exhibition, Studio Plant, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2024 Salon des Inclusion Group Show, Annex Gallery, GSA, Glasgow, Scotland.
Dec 2023 Fluxus Group Show, The New Glasgow Society, Glasgow Scotland.
Sept 2023 Pinsent Masons Group Show, Glasgow, Scotland.
May 2023 Momentum Group Show, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow Scotland.
May 2023 Book Launch Group Launch, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow Scotland.
March 2023 From Workbench to Wall Group Show, GSA Stow Studio, Glasgow, Scotland.
Feb 2023 First Contact Group Show, GSA Barnes Garage, Glasgow Scotland.
May 2006 The PPY Group Show, National Theatre, Lyttleton Foyer, London.
Awards
2010 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year.
2009 The Press Photographer’s Year: Selected Features.
2008 British Journalism Awards: Sports News Picture, Highly Commended.
2007 Scottish Press Photography Awards: Sports Photograph of the Year.
2006 The Press Photographer’s Year: First Prize - Royals.
2006 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year.
2005 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year
All images and material contained in this website a subject to the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988. Contact the photographer in the first instance requesting information on reproducing these photographs
ABOUT
Human nature and the human condition are the foundational elements of Thomas Main’s lens-based practice.
These themes are surveyed to reflect the complexities of vulnerability and ethical flaws—ranging from intimate explorations of the male body to sharp critiques of political ego. The critical perspective necessary for this work is developed through research into books, newspaper articles, news programming, and film, providing both historical and contemporary context. The human presence may appear either directly or in abstract form within the finished work, underpinned by a consistent thread of political critique.
Main primarily works with photographic film and wet print processes, favouring black and white, though colour is employed when the project necessitates it. Utilising large-format film negatives in the darkroom, he produces highly detailed prints by hand. This intensive process enables a nuanced use of shadow and tonal separation to subtly reveal the work's inherent depth and complexity, establishing a strong conceptual link between technical execution and the project’s source material.
The resulting prints are made on fibre-based warm-tone paper. In some cases, Main incorporates mark-making directly into the print process to deepen the narrative or visual impact. Projects are often extended into the creation of handmade artist books, expanding the work's conceptual scope and physical presentation
Prior to graduating from the Glasgow School of Art with a first class BA(Hons) Fine Art Photography, Thomas Main was a freelance editorial photographer commissioned by the UK national press, magazines and corporate clients.
Contact studio@thomasmain.com
Exhibitions
June 2026 A Seat at the Table Group Exhibition, WASPS South Block, Osborne St, Glasgow.
Feb 2026 Holding Conversations Group Exhibition, Visual Arts Scotland, Custom Lane Gallery, Edinburgh.
March 2025 MEN Zine Launch, Good Press, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2025 MEN Solo Exhibition, LAB Gallery, GSA, Glasgow, Scotland.
Jan 2025 WiP Group Show, Strangefields, French Street, Glasgow, Scotland.
Nov 2024 Sugar Sells Group Show, Govan Project Space, Glasgow, Scotland.
Sept 2024 Pinsent Masons Group Show, Glasgow, Scotland.
May 2024 Bits & Bytes Group Exhibition, New Glasgow Society, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2024 In-Stock Group Exhibition, Studio Plant, Glasgow, Scotland.
March 2024 Salon des Inclusion Group Show, Annex Gallery, GSA, Glasgow, Scotland.
Dec 2023 Fluxus Group Show, The New Glasgow Society, Glasgow Scotland.
Sept 2023 Pinsent Masons Group Show, Glasgow, Scotland.
May 2023 Momentum Group Show, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow Scotland.
May 2023 Book Launch Group Launch, The Alchemy Experiment, Glasgow Scotland.
March 2023 From Workbench to Wall Group Show, GSA Stow Studio, Glasgow, Scotland.
Feb 2023 First Contact Group Show, GSA Barnes Garage, Glasgow Scotland.
May 2006 The PPY Group Show, National Theatre, Lyttleton Foyer, London.
Awards
2010 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year.
2009 The Press Photographer’s Year: Selected Features.
2008 British Journalism Awards: Sports News Picture, Highly Commended.
2007 Scottish Press Photography Awards: Sports Photograph of the Year.
2006 The Press Photographer’s Year: First Prize - Royals.
2006 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year.
2005 Scottish Press Awards: Sports Photographer of the Year
All images and material contained in this website a subject to the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988. Contact the photographer in the first instance requesting information on reproducing these photographs