leah robertson photography

lookout

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:12:29 +0000

Shot at a number of popular scenic lookouts on the islands of Hawaii and Oahu, Hawaii, this series looks at the neat, often repetitive ways in which visitors arrange themselves while admiring and photographing views from designated lookout points.

The series also explores the playful and sometimes absurd behaviour of tourists as they interact with extreme outdoor conditions such as strong winds.

soporific / music video

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:38:58 +0000

Alongside a talented team (art directed by Romanie Harper and Zoe Rouse for Tooth and Nail, additional camera by Danny Wild and Greg Holden), Leah recently shot and edited a music video for Brisbane/Melbourne band The Boat People’s new single Soporific.

Check it out below:
to view in HD, select 720p from the YouTube playback options (bottom right)

SLAM rally

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:05:49 +0000

On the 23rd of February 2010, 10,000+ Melbourne music fans flocked the city to protest the Victorian Government’s strict liquor licensing laws, and their damaging effect on Melbourne’s live music scene. Recreating the famous AC/DC ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ video clip (filmed for Countdown in 1976), bagpipe players from the original clip joined members of the RocKwiz orchestra on the back of a flatbed truck, playing the song repeatedly as they traveled down Swanston St, then up Bourke, in one big party of a protest. The march culminated on the steps of Parliament with speeches and performances from some of Melbourne’s high-profile musicians.

The protest (and the publicity leading up to it) has resulted in the State Government reconsidering its position on the laws that were so negatively affecting Melbourne’s smaller music venues.

mass cult suicide

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:42:31 +0000

Melbourne band Mass Cult Suicide during a January 2010 recording session.

tote protest

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:19:35 +0000

A series of portraits shot on January 17th outside the Tote Hotel, during a protest against the Victorian Government’s costly new liquor licensing laws - and their effect on Melbourne’s live music venues and surrounding culture. Faced with heavy licensing fee increases and reduced opening hours, the iconic Tote was forced to call last drinks the following day after an extended battle to stay afloat.

See here for an in-depth article on the Tote’s closure.

sweet jelly roll retrospective

admin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:29:54 +0000

To help celebrate the opening of new creative space Captains of Industry, Leah has teamed with Supple Fox to present a retrospective of work shot over the course of the iconic Sweet Jelly Roll club nights.

Sweet Jelly Roll was a monthly Melbourne event that combined glamourous live performances and juke joint jumpin’ musical acts to delight a dedicated (and impeccably dressed) crowd. No longer running as a monthly event, it is sorely missed and has inspired various events of a similar nature.

The collection of photographs will be shown alongside a screening of Sweet Jelly Roll films and raw Super 8 footage shot by filmmaker Leila Koren.

Opening and venue details:

Opens: Wednesday December 9th, 7pm - 9pm
At: Captains of Industry, 2 Somerset place (off Little Bourke) 3000

Show runs until: December 23rd

Captains of Industry opening hours:

Mon - Thurs - 9am - 5pm
Fri - 9am - 8pm
Sat - 10 - 5pm
Sun - closed

Flyer design by the lovely Micha Kumpf

walls

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:44:03 +0000

In the 1950s, to satisfy tourist expectations, this eastern stretch (among others) of Waikiki beach was artificially widened - and its natural reef environment damaged - by around 80,000 cubic metres of sand shipped in from surrounding coastlines. Kapahulu Groin, a covered storm water drain, was built as part of this Waikiki Beach Improvement Project. Breakwaters jut from it into the ocean to protect the surrounding artificial beaches.

Today, propped atop receding beaches, the Groin doubles as a crowded jetty and as the centrepiece to popular Waikiki bodyboarding spot Walls – where showmanship reigns and the kid riding closest to the wall is rewarded with the loudest tourist gasps. The structure forms a perfect platform for viewing this quintessential Waikiki entertainment, with the added perks of endless people-watching and killer sunsets.

before the fall

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:18:06 +0000

A series shot on the corner of Albion St and Sydney Rd, Brunswick, in June 2009 - a few months prior to the clinic in the background dramatically collapsing in November

sydney, victoria

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:10:22 +0000

A continuance of the Sydney Rd, Brunswick series posted online here. Shot on the corner of Sydney Rd and Victoria St.

obscura exhibition

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:23:52 +0000

Leah will be exhibiting selected works from her Sweet Jelly Roll series - alongside some equally moody concert portraits of Nick Cave - at Obscura Gallery from the 9th of August until the 1st of September.

The group show, titled ‘Light at the end of the camera’, also features artists Ilona Nelson, Ben Ali Ong and Joshua Hakman.

Come and say hello at the opening:

Sunday 9th August 2009
4 - 6 pm
Obscura Gallery
Suite 11, 285 Carlisle St, St Kilda East

See the Obscura website for additional details.