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FL Shooting Star: Mikey Hart

Thu 7th Jul, 2011 in Features

For this edition of FL Shooting Stars, we’re turning the focus on Sydney photographer Mikey Hart – TheEnglishGentleman.

Mikey has shot some of the biggest names in music with Foo Fighters, Guns n Roses and The Strokes galleries to his credit and he has covered some huge festivals for FasterLouder over the years including Big Day Out, Future Music, Good Vibrations and V Festival. However that doesn’t mean you won’t still find him in the front row shooting new acts at some of Sydney’s sticky carpet venues like The Annandale, Spectrum and the Factory.

With his debut photo exhibition opening at Sydney’s Mart Gallery this week Mikey answered a few questions to tell us all a little more about how he has been able to capture such amazing photos of some of the biggest names in music.

Tell us a little bit about yourself
Like my name suggests “The English Gentleman”, I am a London lad originally and moved to Sydney in 2007 to pursue a great opportunity. My design career led me here and people came into my life that showed me different ideas. Moving was a way of challenging myself, being completely out of my comfort zone and grow as a designer (and a person). I didn’t expect to be living here for so long however I have fell in love with Aussie life and Surry Hills. Recently I started a new role as design director for brand consultancy called Interbrand. So I guess I am hanging around for a few more years yet.

When and why did you first pick up a camera?
As a part of my degree in the UK studying graphic design and advertising. I messed around with the “old skool” cameras that needed film and spent time in the dark room. Getting creative with chemicals of course!! Since leaving Uni I didn’t pick up a digital camera until I moved to Australia when my dad brought me a Cannon 400D SLR. I actually didn’t know what to do with it to be honest and often left it at home.
After 6 months living in Sydney I really wanted to see local artists and new music. Unfortunately I didn’t have to many friends to join me at the time. So I decided to take my camera for company to the little venues around Sydney.

What is it that drew you to the world of music photography?
Moving from the UK I was really keen to see what Australia had to offer. In the year before I made the move I had been to pretty much every festival in the UK. Glastonbury being obviously the pinocle however I did make an effort to see some up and coming acts. Being deprived of not being able to see live music. On my own, from the first gig I went to with my SLR for company. I made my way to the Annandale Hotel. Taking photos of Moustache Train, Hyske and another band I care not to remember. I took some half decent pics that night I still cherish today.

The next day I walked past the Spectrum on my home from work one day and noticed a band was loading in. I spoke to the manager and blagged getting on the door. That night I took photos of The Protectors, Modern Joy and The Shake Up. Photos I have online still today.

After a couple of weeks I was sending emails and making phone calls to venues. Meeting more and more random contacts and acquaintances I found my “mecca.” I became the resident photographer at the Oxford Art Factory in exchange for beer. Perfect right? It was to shape me because I photographed Zombie Ghost train on my first night and the venue loved the pics! I was asked to come back again and again. I was making friends in a new country with my camera and I was feeding my desire for something new in art, photography, friendship and music.

What is the best gig you have ever shot?
Growing up in the 90’s I got into the classic “Brit Pop” era. All of them bands in that era are still banging tunes on my iPod today. Photographing my heros; The Prodigy, Richard Ashcroft, Jarvis Cocker, Ian Brown, Stereophonics, Kasabian, Editors, Faithless, Coldplay to name a few. An absolute dream to be so close and capture them! They are the kind of artists who have sold out stadiums and massive venues back home!

I really love Australian music. I think there is a lot of talent here and some real gems! I would say Children Collide, Cabins, Sherlock’s Daughter, Cloud Control, Lost Valentinos, Van She and Temper Trap… I could go on and on really.

My favourite Australian band I have shot would have to be Temper Trap play at Oxford Art Factory, way before they got big. They sent tingles down my spine when the played Sweet Disposition amongst other songs. Not only them but capturing Children Collide’s early gigs was memorable too. Both bands I heard for the first time live without knowing what to expect.

Its hard to really pick out which gig is the best I have ever shot. Each one brings something new and memorable. Capturing the Foo Fighters secret gig at Manning Bar, knowing you are facing Dave Growl who used to play in Nirvana rocking the fuck out infront of you. I can not describe the feeling…mind blowing. I love music and I love capturing the spirit of it all.

Finally going to a festival and being in a pit with tens of thousands of people behind you is exhilarating. I am between the artist and the fans with enough space to swing a cat if I had one spare in my bag. Amazing.

What is the worst gig you have ever shot?
There has been a few. One that comes to mind is bitter sweet. I was photographing Mike Skinner from the Streets. One of my Uni day heroes at the Forum in Sydney. During an important and rare sequence when the artist was directly singing into MY camera and interacting with just me. The very very very expensive lens on my camera fell of its body!!! I accidentally pressed the release button whilst zooming. Unscrewed the lens right off the the body and it fell to the floor smashing onto the pit floor. I never forget Mike Skinner saying, “Fuck me geezer, heavy”. Then carrying on with the song.

Anther incident I was photographing Foo Fighters secret gig at the manning bar this year. My camera completely jammed whilst taking snaps. Photographers that night were only allowed 2 songs no flash in the pit. Luckily I had discovered the problem. Somehow I pressed something that made the camera shoot on a 15 second timer. LOL! Nightmare!!!! I never did guessed that would happen!!! I resolved the problem and managed to capture just one song which turned out to be some of the best photos I have ever taken.

What would be you number one tip for aspiring photographers?
Not one tip. Just a few sorry. This is probably what I tell myself every time I go to a gig. It’s about Mikey Hart and Mikey ‘Art. (That’s me if you didn’t guess). Here it goes…
• Don’t be a geek. It ruins the experience of being in the moment.
• Go with your instinct and have fun. I was never a “trained photographer.”
• See stuff differently! A camera is a tool so its up to you to find something awesome to look at, through it.
• Be inventive. Often you need to “blag” your way into a situation. No time to stand around waiting for it to find you. You will miss the opportunity.
• Don’t tell me a Nikon is better than a Canon. I really don’t care much.
• A camera is about documenting your world and capturing an idea from it.
• Be nice to other photographers and don’t act too cool for school around me.
• Listen to your intuition.