Budding photographers swarm the streets of Melbourne daily. They arrive from overseas, perhaps confused that the locals don’t match the exported Aussie image of bronzed beach bodies.
They come from interstate, hearing of our hip, graffiti-laden laneway cafes that serve amazing coffee by po-faced hipsters with tattoos and beautiful facial hair.
They come from the outer suburbs, taking photography courses and making use of their spankin’ new DSLR’s from JB HiFi (the one with the bonus Lowepro carry case).
They come to shoot our city.
The photographers click their way through the laneways, careful not to bump into each other or get in each other’s frames. Click, pause, check viewfinder, reframe, click again. They are looking to capture that essence of Melbourneness that at times seems so elusive.
Matt Irwin is one of the few photographers that has consistently caught Melbourne on camera with accuracy and skill. He not only captures Melbourne’s essence, but distils it, and offers it up in concentrated form.
His new release Melbourne – A Love Affair is a visual parfum du Melbourne, documenting the stunning uniqueness of our streets over the past 25 years. His images strike a chord that resonates in those who identify with the words of Barry Humphries: “I am not an Australian, I am a Melbournian.”
As a Melbourne-based commercial and art photographer, Matt has sold hundreds of thousands of cards, calendars, prints and limited editions to major and boutique retailers around Australia. His work has been widely exhibited, allowing him to build a reputation as arguably the city’s best street-scape photographer.
Melbourne – A Love Affair is a 172 page hardbound art-coffee-table book that isn’t just a #Melbourne search on Instagram. It is a reminder of the power of technique and framing, of considered subject and timing. It is the work of a seasoned veteran turning oh-so-familiar ground into timeless reminders, finding iconic resonance where others fumble over cliche.
This is the Melbourne we want to remember.
Matt Irwin’s Melbourne – A Love Affair is available now, or check out his work at Studio 72 in the Nicholas Building on Swanston Street.
All images courtesy of Matt Irwin.