Stuart Reed Martin
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
Hey, I'm Stuart. They call me Stu. In 2009, I received my first camera at the age of 12, a Vivitar DVR 550. However, there were two significant game changers in my photography journey. The first occurred in 2019 when I acquired my first "real" camera, a Panasonic Lumix G85, and began to really master its use. Since then, I've been photographing everything around me. Then, in 2021, I embarked on an epic road trip across the country to New York City, where I started living. This has greatly facilitated my networking efforts within the photography community.
2. Where did you study photography?
I'm mostly self-taught. I took a few classes, but never really studied photography in the sense that I sat down and read books about the subject. For me, it's mostly been a learn-as-you-go sort of thing.
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
I was on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake and I was driving home and I saw a waterfowl running across the road. My father pulled over, I got out, chased him into some bushes, and then took a picture.
4. What equipment do you use?
At the moment, I still use the Panasonic LUMIX G85, a travel camera backpack, two lenses, a couple of ND filters, a pro-mist filter, and some extra batteries. I’m going to get an additional camera soon. Until recently, I mostly shot videos with the G85. I've got about 7 terabytes of footage that I haven't had time to look through sitting on a couple of hard drives. It was great to have because of its ability to work in 4K while still being affordable for where I was in life at the time.
5. What do you hope to achieve?
In the short term, my goals are just to build up my gear and travel. You know, places like Iceland, Prague, Antarctica, Dubai, Bahamas, Budapest, and Israel. I would like to take a photo trip to Iceland this summer and document a trip through the Camino de Santiago in Spain. These have been my goals for a long time. I would also like to get more of my work published and create my website. But mostly, I just want to have a good experience and tell good stories through the medium.
6. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
Well, one time in college I showed a photography teacher my work and he said, "Wow, you should be in the photography department." But mostly the compliments that make me feel good are the ones that come from a place where I can tell that I impacted the person and gave them a new perspective.
7. Congratulations! As the winner of the New York Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
It's pretty cool. I'm still trying to take it all in.
8. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 New York Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
I took this photo in Long Island City, a borough of New York City. I live near Rego Park, but I go to LIC Bar in Long Island City to get work done, so one day as I was walking around looking for something to shoot in the area, I ended up near the Coca-Cola sign and started taking photos of the Midtown Manhattan skyline.
From there I walked west through Gantry Plaza State Park to LIC Landing by Coffeed. This is where I took the final picture that won the award.
I chose to take this photography course because I believe it shows a different view of the New York City skyline than what people usually see.
9. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Jonti Wild's work is incredible. And of course, photographers like Sebastiao Salgado, Ansel Adams, and Fan Ho.
10. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
Probably just to be confident in what I'm doing.
11. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Staying optimistic. Don't let criticism get to you too much. Be passionate.
12. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
Mostly, I just go with the flow and try not to listen to negativity too much. I also surround myself with supportive people and colleagues.
