Sobre mi
Author details:
Bob Martin lives in semi-retirement in Villiersdorp in the Western Cape.
He started his photographic career in Kenya during the Mau Mau emergency, working as a crime-scene photographer while a reservist with the Kenya Police.
On his return to SA he became a Sunday Times photographer.
He then broadened his experience by working as a publicity-stills cameraman on a number of international film sets, on one of them assisting the legendary ‘Karsh of Ottawa’ on the film Zulu with Michael Caine.
He was for many years SATOUR’S chief photographer, winning many international awards for South Africa with his travel posters, from the Travel Federations of The United States, Canada, Europe and Australasia.
But his artistic insight from behind the lens was only fully realised when he began to work as the only permanent theatre photographer for the Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (PACT). “I felt that I had found my destiny,” says Martin. “I had many exciting, sometimes tragic moments during my life as a photographer – such as the Sharpeville massacre in 1960. It was, however, in the theatre, surrounded by the allure and absolute genius of dance, drama and music – that I found my true calling.”
Though an artist at heart, Martin is a skilled ‘photographic artisan and technician’ and his versatility allows him to bring a unique perspective to even the most mundane shots.
Martin spends his time on his computer, writing his memoirs, fussing over and spoiling his cat, sailing, photographing the world around him, reading, and entertaining his many and varied friends from all walks of life.
Bob Martin lives in semi-retirement in Villiersdorp in the Western Cape.
He started his photographic career in Kenya during the Mau Mau emergency, working as a crime-scene photographer while a reservist with the Kenya Police.
On his return to SA he became a Sunday Times photographer.
He then broadened his experience by working as a publicity-stills cameraman on a number of international film sets, on one of them assisting the legendary ‘Karsh of Ottawa’ on the film Zulu with Michael Caine.
He was for many years SATOUR’S chief photographer, winning many international awards for South Africa with his travel posters, from the Travel Federations of The United States, Canada, Europe and Australasia.
But his artistic insight from behind the lens was only fully realised when he began to work as the only permanent theatre photographer for the Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (PACT). “I felt that I had found my destiny,” says Martin. “I had many exciting, sometimes tragic moments during my life as a photographer – such as the Sharpeville massacre in 1960. It was, however, in the theatre, surrounded by the allure and absolute genius of dance, drama and music – that I found my true calling.”
Though an artist at heart, Martin is a skilled ‘photographic artisan and technician’ and his versatility allows him to bring a unique perspective to even the most mundane shots.
Martin spends his time on his computer, writing his memoirs, fussing over and spoiling his cat, sailing, photographing the world around him, reading, and entertaining his many and varied friends from all walks of life.
Bobby Martin 20/03/2009 13:00
This is a sensational idea! we all belong to that crazy family of 'image makers' And now that I've finally gone digital I'm having a ball, especially with my Stumpf 'Wings' platinum software, combining beautiful images with beautiful music!