The Man

Martin studied Visual Communication at Medway College of Art and Design from 1976-79, moving to London in 1980. After working as a Photographic Assistant to Commercial Photographer Gary Bryan for 3 years, he set up his own studio in Chelsea in 1983, that specialised in high-quality still life photography, in the areas of Advertising, Design and Editorial. Martin also shot stills on TV and Cinema commercials, primarily with directors Howard Guard and Ridley Scott (Alien/Blade Runner/Gladiator). Some of Martin’s clients included, British Airways, BMW, Volkswagen and Selfridges.

While working in the commercial world Martin’s style evolved, resulting in tightly cropped, close-up work, mostly utilising Tungsten lighting, to enhance texture and detail.

Two decades later Martin departed from commercial photography, concentrating on his own vision.

In his personal life Martin feels as though he’s had a moment of clarity while undertaking Schema Therapy.

Throughout his life and in particular his Mental Health / Therapeutic life he’s been on a journey to find answers to the fundamental questions of ‘Who is he?’ What is his True Self or Identity?

That journey has taken him via suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitals, detox, rehab, (he’s 21 years clean and sober), treatment centres, and countless therapy groups and one to one sessions in seeking the one true ‘Self’ but as he now knows there is no ‘Definitive Self’ he’s made up of many parts.

Which brings him to Buddhism and his studies. There have been recent discussions around the idea of ’Self’ and the fact from a Buddhist perspective there is ‘No Self!'

He says, he finally thinks he understands this now.

Of course, many may already know this, but he doesn’t think that at any time in his life, he has been so conscious of this fact. 

He feels this is an important breakthrough for him.

As his journey into Buddhism and Photography continues and his understanding broadens, He’s also finding himself aligned to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi.

Wabi refers to the beauty found in simplicity and imperfection.

Sabi conveys the quiet dignity that emerges with the passage of time. Cracks, fading and signs of wear have long been valued in Japan, seen not as flaws but of profound expressions of impermanence.

Wabi-Sabi is not mere decoration but an aesthetic sensibility that embraces the natural flow of time.

This perspective resonates with his experiences and is reflected in his imagery, offering a visual extension of his spiritual exploration. Through embracing these qualities, his work becomes a testament to both the impermanence and understated beauty found in life and art.

Martin thinks the poem, The Ideal by James Fenton, says something about his own life journey.

This is where I came from.
I passed this way.
This should not be shameful
Or hard to say.
A self is a self.
It is not a screen.
A person should respect
What he has been.
This is my past
Which I shall not discard.
This is the ideal.
This is hard.

This website is dedicated to the staff and clinicians of the Waterview Centre 2006-8