Martin Smith is the founder of World on Film and its principal photographer.
Martin has spent more than thirty years building up a collection of captivating images from around the world. Since publishing his first series of prints early in the new millennium his work has been attracting more and more attention, and he was recognised in this year’s prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year awards.
Since graduating from the University of Bradford, for many years Martin combined a highly successful business career with his passion for photography. His early work focused on the UK and Europe as he travelled with his trusty rangefinder camera. Later, inspired by some of Australia’s finest landscape photographers, he developed an interest in world panoramas. Combined with a keenness to embrace the digital revolution, Martin now uses state of the art digital equipment, techniques and processes, with a touch of perfectionism, to powerful effect.
In 2001 Martin published his first series of prints, selling via galleries and online, and produced his first book. In the same year he also set up his company, World on Film, which now distributes his original photographic artwork to homes and businesses from a converted farm building in North London.
Three years ago he started on an ambitious project to photograph the parts of the world that interest him most. Since then he has travelled to many well known locations as well several others off the beaten track. This project continues today and features four major themes:
Great Road Trips
Martin’s journeys across the United States have taken him to more of America than most US nationals ever reach. In the Australian outback, his travels along the Stuart Highway and across the Nullarbor Plain have made this one of his favourite destinations. Throughout these journeys he has photographed the wrecks and relics, which are a feature of life on the road, and the people and places that make these adventures so memorable.
Everyday People
Many of his travels have taken him to unusual destinations. Through his portraits he skilfully depicts people going about their daily lives. Subjects have included African tribes people, life in India, people of Cuba and villagers from Papua New Guinea.
Urban landscapes
As well as iconic buildings from some of the world’s great cities he has also portrayed gritty urban scenes from less well known locations. He has captured diverse subjects in vastly differing inner cities – from London, New York, Rio and Hong Kong to Tehran, Dehli, Lome, and Ouagadougou. Whatever the subject from murals and graffiti, to spectacular or run down buildings, each is a compelling sight presented in its own unique way.
The Natural World
The eerie icescapes of the high arctic, the vast desert spaces of Namibia and the canyon lands of North America are amongst the dramatic locations Martin has covered. A portfolio of shots from the arctic wilderness was shortlisted by Travel Photographer of the Year and his spectacular image of an erupting volcano in Oceania was a prize winner.
By his own admission his work features some of the world’s most and least famous locations and shows people and places exactly as they are. Although largely self taught, Martin’s work has created an impact with the media as well as artists, galleries and other art buyers, where he already has a strong base of satisfied clients. He currently has a busy exhibition schedule. His work is available as prints in limited edition or as individual images which can be licensed for print or web use. He also undertakes commissions.
The sheer geographic breadth of Martin’s coverage combined with his attention to detail and quality make his work what it is. And to this photographer each picture tells a story and represents a precious memory.
View Martin's work by clicking here to visit our online gallery. |
