Barnet based photographer Martin Smith has returned from a seven month journey across Asia and Australasia to stage an exhibition, World on Film, next week, of a selection of shots documenting his 25 years of world travel.
The exhibition, which will also include pictures from his most recent trip, offers visitors a vibrant glimpse into both the far reaches of the world and destinations closer to home, with photos of London architecture intermingled with bustling Beijing streets and bleak Namibian desert.
Scouring the globe for the perfect shot has not always been Martin’s occupation, however.
Deciding to make the shift from high-flying investment banker to fully-fledged photographer came at a point when, as Martin says, “I decided to do the things I wanted to do.
“I had always been seriously interested in photography. I’d managed to kit myself out with state-of-art equipment, and because of my job I had travelled extensively throughout Europe.
“The final step came two years ago, when I was recovering from a back operation. I had the opportunity to familiarise myself with computer packages like Photoshop, and have worked full time since.”
The variety in Martin’s work, he says, owns a lot to the amount of travelling he does.
He said: “I will soon be leaving for a trip across Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso to capture the tribal life there.
“I enjoy the edginess that kind of photography brings, but I find that, to reach these people, I often have to go through beautiful scenery. I don’t shoot to a specification – I just go out and photograph what I see.”
Admission to World on Film is free, and Martin will be present throughout the exhibition to discuss the photos.
For more information call the artsdepot on 0208 369 5454.
To view a selection of Martin’s work visit http://www.worldonfilm.com
