Known always as Frank, the photographer was part of the fourth generation of the phenomenal family of photographers outlined in the entry for John GIBSON in this index. Frank was the eldest son of James Gibson and from him in 1985 he inherited the business and the photographic archive of glass plates and film negatives built up in their thousands since the 1850s.

His obituary in the Times Register states 'He was every bit as fearless as his great-grandfather in his quest for the right angle, light and position -- once flying to photograph the helicopter relief of Bishop Rock from a light plane hovering over it at stalling speed.' His love of the Scilly, its geography, beauty and history, shone from his work whether it was for business or art's sake, and many were reproduced on postcards, as well as commissioned for magazines and books.

He studied at Launceston College, and learned his trade by working for Tom Corin, a photographer in St Austell.  He married a Cornish girl, Marie Boxer who became his life-long collaborator. The couple had three daughters, and one of these continues to work in the family business.

Frank was born on November 4, 1929 and died on July 8, 2012, aged 82.