Capture by A photoblog

A trip through 1980s Auckland

“A fat gut in a studded belt / My God I think he thinks he’s something else / When he’s just another zombie / Probably made out of needles and plastic” 

—The Doublehappys, Needles and Plastic

From (one of) The Clean: “Most of the Dunedin people despise what’s going on in Auckland because the Auckland bands come down acting like rock stars. They talk a load of rubbish and their music is a load of old rubbish. The most commonly held perception that emerged of Auckland was of a city with a ska band around every corner. In Dunedin they didn't want to know about ska or the New Romantics. The isolation of that city has produced a very insular and suspicious group of people with an over-riding attachment to '60s music …”

—from “Do They Have McDonalds Down There?”, a feature article by Michael Higgins, published in Rip It Up, April 1982.

Celebrity DJ: “So, your new songs … you going to put the Funky Drummer in there?”

A bemused Robert Scott: “No. I think you should … play to your strengths.”

—excerpt from an interview with Robert Scott of the Bats on 95bFM, sometime in the early 1990s.

What made Flying Nun move north? Dunedin had the Kaleidoscope World and a Sad Eyed Lady, and Christchurch had the Gordons. What of Auckland in the 1980s? Was Auckland an Antipodean post-punk powerhouse, or just a load of fat guts in studded belts hanging out at Quays? I reckon it was the former, and here is my photographic evidence – a personal journey across the Auckland of those years, viewed through my vintage tortoiseshell frame rose-tinted spectacles.

These negatives sat for 25 years in a box, along with a whole lot of others which it never really occurred to me to share, until now.  The two in the opening post (repeated here, but full size) were mainly to highlight the novelty of a Half Frame camera.  Which, incidentally, is sitting at home with a recently bought roll of 1600 asa film in it.  I have plans.  Don't we all?

But it turns out photos can take on a life of their own when you release them into the wild.  Trite as this may sound, the way everyone has got straight into contributing images, which have lead to other images, and discussions, and re-composition, makes this even more abundantly clear. And us abundantly happy. Did I mention that?

The scene depicted below is pure nostalgia for me. Orientation week early in my days as a student. Not of a mind to join in the games, or climb on a roof, I wandered around capturing the onlookers. Sitting this side of 40, with three young ones on the way to joining this, or similar institution of higher leaning (parental assumptions notwithstanding) it's easy to look at the reckless behaviour and say 'that would never be allowed today', or in my case 'YOU GET DOWN FROM THERE!'

And yet, who am I to judge, as those sitting on the edge of the highest points of the roof lean forward to get a better look. I married one of them.

We loves our photos.  Flickr hosts 6 billion images, and then of course there's Facebook, which earlier this year hit 90 billion images, with 200 million added each day.  That's a lot.  So, when Russell suggested a photoblog for Public Address, I thought 'are you kidding?'

Turns out he wasn't.  So Jonathan Ganley, Robyn Gallagher and I will endeavour to bring around 10 new captures per post, contributed from a variety of sources, including keen amateur photographers, a few pros, and any that meet our loose, I mean stringent, aesthetic standards.

We'll focus mainly on New Zealand music, artists and aspects of street culture, with the occasionally furry animal, travel shot and landscape photo thrown in for good measure.  We will also be encouraging submissions from South of Wiri and North of Orewa, so it won't become an Auck-fest.  Honest.

Introducing the band.

Here's a brief intro from each of us and a selection of captures from the different cameras we like to use.

Jonathan Ganley

I hardly ever use a flash. My method for taking photos at gigs is to get as close as possible to the stage, use a solid and dependable camera (Nikon F3), a fast lens, fast film and whatever light is available. I process the black and white films myself and scan the negatives to A4 size on an Epson photo scanner. 

When photographing gigs, microphone stands are the enemy. The mike invariably gets in the way of the performer's face.

Those "Vinyl Records Are Coming Back" stories that keep appearing everywhere? Look out for "Film Is Making A Comeback" stories. They won't be far away.

Robyn Gallagher

I've been taking photos since I was 10, complete with the mandatory teen-girl phase of moody black and white graveyard scenes.

I'm a great believer in the unofficial Capture motto: the best camera is the one you have with you. I've always favoured compact cameras and I have at least one camera with me at all times - currently there are three in my bag.

I mainly use a Canon PowerShot S95. It's a compact digital, nice and small, but with the ability to control things if so desired. I mainly take photos of things that I like when I'm out and about, and I'm rubbish at photographing people. Inanimate objects are my friends.

Jackson Perry

My history with photography has been largely one of presentation.  At 13 this meant working with a picture framer, who also ran a professional photography studio and darkroom.  Later during university, and shortly after, I found work at Camera House and then the National Art Gallery in Wellington.

My first camera was a borrowed Canonet, and then a Canon Demi C, half frame, which I still possess and have used recently (can't say 'own' because I borrowed that also - 30 years ago).

My favourite camera at hand is now the Canon G10.  It has more features than I have yet used, and is pretty reliable, and good to take into concerts.   Quite like taking snaps on my phone too.  Especially my flash as new one...

Comments welcome.

Like other blogs, you can comment below.  The difference with this one is we will be encouraging you to upload images too.  If possible in theme, but since that never lasts long, whatever takes your fancy.  Within reason of course.  And as long as you are 'entitled' to use the images.