The works of Guy Martin

On Monday Evening  I was  lucky enough to sit in on  a short presentation by photographer, former Falmouth local and Associate Lecturer Guy Martin.

Martin's passion for photography was apparent from the very start of the lecture and when asked about his decision to pursue Photojournalism over any other form of photography Martin's describes it as 'an amazing opportunity to transfer yourself into someone else eyes', he talked about how in Photojournalism you always have to think of what you are contributing to the shot, because you don't want anyone else to produce your pictures, therefore you must remember  to be your own photographer looking for your own shot not reproducing someone else's.

Martin then went  on to talk about his time in Libya (perhaps the hardest job of his career). He talked at length about  his experience in Libya and how in this technology based generation its easy to question your role as a photographer or photojournalist as it was apparent that both the Libyan nationals  and the rebels were perfectly capable of documenting it themselves, the Rebels would even attach self printed images to their cars and rally around until the press captured what they wanted them to see.
Martin's then went on to talk about how crappy it felt to have to document the unromantic side of war, were the soldiers are not the romanticized stereotypes we imagined but self taught adolescents  who's perception of war is commonly based on video games.

Copyright Guy Martin

Above is one of my favourite photos from Martin's portfolio, taken during a small arms race between the soldier and the opposing rebels, this image was taken minutes before a exploding mortar shattered parts of Matin's and his crews lives. However even before Martin's spoke of the story attached to this photo I was blown away by not only the framing of the sitter but also the photos striking composition, using only minimal colour and the rooms natural shadows.