Toby Harvard - An Interview

I get artist envy alot. You know, when you see something great but you secretly kinda hate it just a little because you wish you created it. Yeah, well I get that with TOBY HARVARD's photos. And if you've not seen his work, just you wait, I know you'll get it too.

When I asked TOBY to talk to me about his photography, he modestly shrugged off his insane skills. Alas, I was stoked to even get a reply from him let alone for him to say yes. So here is what TOBY has to say about his work with 35mm photography. I also asked him to share some of his favourite shots that he has achieved on film, so you will see these at the bottom of the article.

To follow TOBY on instagram click here: @toby.harvard. You can also visit his flickr page here: Toby Harvard. And if you still can't get enough, here is a link to his Tumbr page: Toby Harvard.

Toby Harvard, the Londoner.

When did you discover film photography?

A few years ago, when I bought my first film camera -- an Olympus OM2n. I was drawn to the unpredictability of film: the light-leaks, double-exposures and dusty specks you can't get in digital photos.

Your IG feed displays photos with a real cinematic feel. How would you describe your photos and your style of photography?

I point and shoot and hope a decent picture comes out. I have almost no technical knowledge, so it's mainly guesswork.

What inspires you to take a photo? What makes you click that shutter? Are you a wild and free shooter or do you hesitate and wait for the perfect shot?

It's the spur-of-the-moment unplanned shots that usually turn out to be the most interesting.

Also, shooting on film means you don't know what works until much later.

What’s your weapon of choice? What do you shoot on? Camera and film?

Cameras: pentax k1000, canon ae1 and Olympus XA.

Film: various, but often Kodak Ektar100 and Portra400.

I can see that you shoot at night a lot, how do you make the colours so bright?

I don't know..!

What film would you say is the best for your photography?

Portra400 seems to be great for murky night shots.

I can see that you also have a film in the Sundance festival! What came first for you, photography or film writing and how do you see them working together? Is your style mirrored in all your art or are they separate entities?

I've storyboarded a lot of commercials and music videos, so photography was always a way to learn about composition and lenses etc. so really that came first. Then writing followed from that.

The movie is called The Greasy Strangler. Elijah Wood produced it. It's dirty and strange and totally indulgent. There was a lot of shocked laughter and gasping at the premiere.

Have you ever come across a photo and thought “I wish I took that!”? If so, what was it and who was it by?

I like Dolores Marat. Many of her photos have that effect on me.

What are your thoughts on the divide between digital and film photography?

Film looks more murky and mysterious and textured. I also love the specks of dust that accumulate when scanning a print. it all adds to the atmosphere. digital feels too clean. I like it dirty..!