Owen Harvey embeds himself into subcultures around the world, depicting group identities and idiosyncratic notions of masculinity and style. Whether shooting nightlife, sport or performers, he authentically captures both candid moments and striking portraiture, casting light on oft-misrepresented identities and narratives.
Q > What motivated you to start documenting subcultures, and how has your work evolved since you began?
A > My work has evolved in a number of ways since I first started taking pictures, from a technical perspective and from a better understanding of the history of photography. My motivation to document subcultures came from my background in music. For a number of years I played in a band and was always interested in all the different groups of individual scenes. Alongside this, I grew up with a dad who would tell me stories about the different subcultures when he was younger and that always interested me. Later on in my teen years, I saw the images in the booklet for Quadrophenia by The Who. Those images really resonated with me and made me want to pick up a camera. Those images spoke of such universal feelings, escapism, the monotony of the every day, the want for more than your life offers.
Q > Empowering identities and expressive individualism — from your perspective, what do these subcultures have in common?
A > I think those within the subcultures usually have a lot of common aspirations. The obvious ones are to celebrate their heritage and to celebrate the music and style that is related to their subculture. Perhaps the less obvious, are the strive for a sense of belonging and how their identity is wrapped up in the subculture they belong to.
Q > Tell us about journeys which have triggered memorable emotions.
A > As I get older, I try not to look at the projects as separate journeys. My photography is one evolving journey that is so intrinsically linked with my life. Without sounding too pretentious, everything that I have been through in my own life feeds into my photography and vice versa. Someone said to me that the best types of photographic work are like holding up a mirror in front of the photographer; I have always kept that thought process close to me when I make pictures.
I’ve of course had some very memorable moments throughout my time taking pictures so far, whether that be riding New York Times on three wheels in a lowrider, or spending three days in an apartment with skinheads over the course of a punk festival. Really, though, it’s the memorable emotions in my own life that are more important and reflect in the work I make.
Q > Tell us a disturbing or inspiring story you refuse to forget.
A > I am inspired by everyone I photograph in one way or another, that’s why I feel drawn to take their photo — whether that be their dedication to something or it could be purely their outlook on life and their energy. I try to keep as much of a positive outlook on others as I can. One of the most inspiring moments was the first time I walked into a northern soul all nighter; the energy was incredible and there was a huge sense of unity there.
Q > What’s the most satisfying part of the creative process?
A > Probably seeing a project start to come together. I always start with an idea of what I’m interested in and then always try to go with an open mind of where it could end up. You’ll have moments of frustration throughout a project usually, when you don’t know if it’s going to work. Hopefully you come out of the other side though and you start to see a number of pictures working together cohesively. That moment is very satisfying, as it’s when all the hard work and preparation etc. starts to pay off.
Q > Tell us about your most unconventional project (even if it did not materialise).
A > I worked on a project about my friend who had a mental health breakdown and the relationship with the moon and mental health. It was a much more conceptual project than I was used to working on previously. Although I felt I made a couple of nice images, overall I don’t think the series worked very well. I think that series will be one that stays under my bed.
Q > What role does music play in your life?
A > A huge part. I’m listening to music even as I answer the questions to this interview. Music was my introduction to creativity and gave me a voice as a teenager. Essentially music is my first love and it’ll always be my favourite art form to engage with. Nothing has given me the same feeling in my life as playing music on stage, or even watching a live band. There’s an energy that music brings that I think is unmatched.
Q > Which topics do you find yourself debating or contemplating at the moment?
A > Covid-19 has shaken everything up, so my feelings on things are continuously changing pretty rapidly. I’ve thought more about the importance of family in this period though, the idea of freedom and I’ve thought about the future more and what that may look like. I’m always thinking about the digital age and how quickly that’s moving and that scares me a lot.
