Wingate Downs
Wingate Downs’ newest adventure adds to his lengthy and storied career as a photojournalist in Athens.
Downs, who has worked with The Classic Center the past 12 years, now photographs events at the new Akins Ford Arena.
He photographed the first professional hockey game when the new team — the Rock Lobsters — played their home opener on Dec. 13. One night later, Downs, who lives in Wolfskin, was behind the camera when The B-52s — a legendary band from Athens — rocked the new arena.
“It’s so much fun to still be hired to photograph musical events,” he said. “That’s my favorite thing to do.”
Downs has been a mainstay in Athens for decades, dating to his days at UGA and working for The Red & Black newspaper. He found photos from his career displayed around the arena’s concourse.
“I used to photograph all the bands when I was at The Red and Black,” Downs said. “So how ironic that some of these bands, well, everything I photographed just about way back then has become historical.”
Downs has photographed many sports “all over the country” through the years, but said hockey is “really challenging.”
“It’s a privilege to collaborate with Wingate Downs on various events at The Classic Center and Akins Ford Arena,” said Paul Cramer, president/CEO of The Classic Center Authority. “He has an incredible ability to capture the excitement of every moment throughout the venue, and it’s amazing to have these memories to reflect on. I’m deeply grateful to Wingate for consistently bringing a positive attitude and exemplifying true hospitality for our guests and employees at every event he’s a part of.”
Downs’ professional career started when he was a sophomore in high school.
“My dad would love photography,” Downs said. “He was a photography nut.”
As soon as Downs’ showed an interest in photography, his father was “on board.” His father got him a dark room and began giving him clients.
“He was a PR director for a big textile company, and started sending work to me, and I started making money,” Downs said. “As a high school student, it was pretty crazy.”
Downs went on to take his first photography course at Auburn. He studied at LaGrange College and finished his degree at UGA.
“The head of the photo department, looked at my work and said, we can’t teach you anything,” Downs said. “You’re above where we’re teaching.”
After graduation, he started at The Athens-Banner Herald, where he worked for more than 20 years and became chief photographer.
“It was fun to be a part of all that,” Downs said.
During that time Downs was able to be a part of the test team for Nikon’s digital cameras in 1994.
“They shipped a $60,000 prototype, and I shot a Georgia game in Auburn, and got the last play,” Downs said. “It was the first time they sent a digital image online at deadline.”
Downs’ advice to those wanting to get into photography is simple.
“Life is interesting,” he said. “I suggest to new photographers to go around and photograph everything you see.”