Leah Robertson
Melbourne-based documentary and music photographer Leah Robertson has an exhibition of her work running at Prahran’s MP Gallery until March 9th. We got the scoop on the inspirations behind her shots: What’s been the most memorable gig you’ve attended in recent times? ‘Sufjan, Arcade Fire, Bjork and Rufus have all just played consecutively in Melbourne. It’s been one hell of an incredible, horn-heavy experience. Sufjan and Rufus’ respective wings and stilettos were lovely. My favourite local bands, The Drones, My Disco, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, and Baseball, are always great live, always memorable’. Anyone you haven’t shot yet that you’d love to? ‘Bjork would be amazing, but it’d be difficult to live up to the talented slew of photographers who have shot her before me. I tried to steal some snaps of her from the crowd during her Big Day Out performance (no Melbourne side shows!), only to be rather firmly reprimanded by security. Threatened actually! I’d love to officially shoot Nick Cave. And Gareth Liddiard from The Drones. Despite religiously attending their shows, I’ve never felt able to sufficiently capture that ferocious stage presence’. Was it hard editing the images to run in the exhibition? ‘This is my first show, and I didn’t realise how heartbreaking it would be to have to cull shots! It was very difficult. What’s ended up in the show is pretty much what felt right. The images I was drawn to all have a similar emotive quality – audience members are all kind of dazed or engrossed, and the performers are intense. Actually, none of them are ‘performing’ as such – they’re all kind of in-between performing – gasping for breath, wiping away sweat … I think together the works convey a pretty cohesive atmosphere’.
Tagged: documentary, Melbourne, Melbourne-based photographer
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YOU'RE SAYING (5)
leah said | 23 February, 2008
thanks huna! appreciate the feedback. If you’re in melb check out the show and let me know what you think! – leah
Tom said | 25 February, 2008
Wonderful photos Leah, any chance you will have another exhibit?
Huna said | 25 February, 2008
Unfortunately I’m a Sydney-sider.
But I was wondering if you took any shots at the Arcade Fire shows you attended????
I would love to see them if you did.
leah said | 26 February, 2008
thanks tom! i’ll have another show sometime later this year – next year maybe… this one’s still up for now!
did take some shots at arcade fire… might put them online soon with the rest of the summer gigs.
thanks for the feedback!
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Huna said | 22 February, 2008
These are some great photos. The shots of the Nick Cave show are beautiful.
I love the website as well.