Pros for Lowepro
Peter Martin
Peter
Martin developed his first pictures at age 13. He became a professional at the age of 16 when a photo was published
on the front page by a Toronto daily newspaper. At 17 he began free-lancing in Toronto and became the official photographer
for the Miss Teen Canada and Miss Canada pageants. He continued his career as a staff photographer for 3 newspapers
throughout Canada, spending 3 years at the Oakville Journal Record, 7 years at the Edmonton Sun, and 16 years at
the Montreal Gazette.
Over the last 30 years Martin has traveled extensively on assignment throughout Europe, the Orient and the South Pacific. He has won significant critical recognition for his work including a National Newspaper Award for his photograph of Terry Fox, and Recognition of Achievement Awards from both The Ontario News Photographers Association and the Alberta News Photographers Association. In 2008 his photograph of Terry Fox was chosen by Canada's National History Society as one of "10 IMAGES THAT CHANGED CANADA".
The photo, at number 4, was chosen by a select group of Canada's premier photographers, photo-editors and photography instructors who were asked to select 10 photos from Canada's past that, they felt, had the greatest influence and impact on the country.
Since 2002 his personal work has been displayed in several solo and numerous group exhibits in Canada and the US. Peter’s work has been published in numerous travel and news magazines and has contributed to a variety of books.
In 2004 he resigned from the Montreal Gazette to pursue personal projects, dividing his time between Toronto, Montreal, Annapolis and Europe.
He is currently working on a book of VENICE and the highly anticipated "36Frames" project.
More info: www.petermartinphotographer.com
Photo Gallery
All images © Peter Martin. May not be reproduced without permission.
Q&A:
What would be your media of choice (digital or film)?
All of my personal projects are shot on film. Everything else is digital.
What would you consider your first big break in the business?
Wangling my way in to the Miss Teen and Miss Canada Pageants when I was 16. I became their official photographer when
I was 17.
What was your most challenging assignment?
In theory they should all be challenging. But recently, trying to avoid a thousand visual clichÈs working on my Venice
project, and trying to corral 36 Canadian photographers and photo-editors as part of my ì36 Framesî project.
What is your funniest photo experience?
Trying to shoot my own wedding.
What was your 'assignment from hell'?
Fighting the mosquitos and trying to shoot Prince Andrew and Fergie prepping for a canoe trip on the shores of some
god-forsaken lake 600 miles north of Yellowknife. The mosquitoís won that day.
What is the most exotic location you've shot in?
Fashion in Tahiti, Formula One in Italy.
What was your biggest photo mistake?
Trying to shoot my own wedding.
Your idea of the most perfect assignment"?
To produce a book once a year: 3 months of pre- production/research; 2 months of shooting; 4 months of editing and
production; 1 month promotion; 2 months off.
What three photographers do you most admire:
Andre Kertesz, Cinematographer Conrad Hall; Helmut Newton
Your top three photo tips:
Never edit your own work; Never edit your own work; Never edit your own work. Did I mention Never edit your
own work?
If you could change your profession what would it be?
Film Director; Music Conductor
Your advise to aspiring photographers:
Study the work of as many photographers, film directors and artists as possible. Magazines; Books; Movies: Itís the
first step in deciding where your likes, dislikes, tastes, talents and passions lie.
All images © Peter Martin. May not be reproduced without permission.