“I remember an interview with Mark Romanek where he said something like: an image either has teeth or it doesn’t. You just *know* when a picture has teeth. Some pictures just feel right, and are worth sharing. The rest I keep hidden away in a box.”
answers London photographer Toby Harvard when I ask him about how he chooses the good pictures once he develops the film roll. His images transmit this certain notion of life. Ungraspable and mysterious.
Today I read a great interview with model Laetita Casta, where amongst other things she said “I live off beauty.” How important is beauty for your work?
I don’t know… I’m more interested in atmosphere and mood than beauty.
In many of your images the subjects appear from the back. Is that on purpose for any specific reason?
I have recurring night terrors involving a mysterious man I only ever see from the back. I think it’s suspenseful.
“I just point and shoot and hope a decent picture comes out.” is how you work. Once you develop your films, how do you chose for yourself what´s a good picture at the end of the day?
I remember an interview with Mark Romanek where he said something like: an image either has teeth or it doesn’t. You just *know* when a picture has teeth. Some pictures just feel right, and are worth sharing. The rest I keep hidden away in a box.
You also love writing; are you currently writing on another movie or another piece of work?
*The Greasy Strangler *is released in America this autumn. I’m writing a couple of new things now that are equally – or maybe even more – juvenile, strange and disgusting.
The hardest part about being an artist?
Working alone can be incredibly boring sometimes.
The most satisfiying thing about being an artist?
Working alone..!
Your favourite places to hang out in London right now?
I’m a member of a private club called Tyrone’s, so I’m there mainly.
Your main unanswered question in life?
Long before my son was born, he visited me in a dream and gave me a long lecture about parenthood. The strange thing is: he looked *exactly* as he looks now. I often wonder about that. Did he visit me in spirit to prepare me for being a parent? The whole thing was incredibly magical and mysterious.
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