Artist StatementMoments In Timeby Nick Martin

Step into a different era—one where the raw energy and visceral emotions of Melbourne’s 1980s rock and roll scene come alive. Nick Martin's Moments In Time is a photographic essay that captures the essence of a time when the city’s pubs, clubs, and bands formed the beating heart of its nightlife. This collection, featuring both local and international acts, offers a rare and intimate glimpse into an era of music that defined a generation.

The photographs in this series have never before been published, making their debut all the more significant. These images were captured during a time when Melbourne’s music scene was electric—raw, wild, and unrestrained. It was a place where talent thrived, and where the atmosphere was as exhilarating as the music itself.

Martin’s approach to music photography was unconventional for the time. He used Ilford HP5 400 ISO film, which he pushed to 1600 ISO—an innovative choice, as 1600 ISO film was not commercially available then. The grain and contrast created by this technique imbue the images with an intensity that reflects the essence of the scene he was documenting. By pushing the ISO, Martin also enhanced the light sensitivity, reducing the need for a flash and allowing the photos to capture the unfiltered, raw atmosphere of the venues.

In many ways, Martin considers these photographs to be portraits. He used high contrast to neutralize the background, often opting for deep black shadows to separate the performers from their surroundings. This technique was inspired by the work of American photographer Irving Penn, whose ethnographic portraits of natives and subcultures used portable neutral backdrops to isolate his subjects from their environment. This created a sense of intimacy and focus on the subject, capturing them in a way that highlighted their presence and persona, free from distractions.

These photographs are more than just a visual record of a time and place; they are a celebration of the spirit of Melbourne in the 1980s. They are moments frozen in time, rich with memories, emotion, and stories. Martin hopes they not only spark nostalgia for those who lived through it but also invite conversation about a remarkable time in Melbourne's musical history.

Nick considers it an honor to share these photos with you, and his hope is that they will speak to you as they have spoken to him, bringing as much joy and excitement as when he first captured them.

Nick Martin