Interview With Stuart Reed Martin from United States

Interview With Valentina Benigni from France

February 2, 2024

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Interview With Nicole Maria Oestreich from Germany

February 2, 2024

Stuart Reed Martin | New York Photography Awards

Stuart Reed Martin

Stuart Reed Martin's photography journey began in 2009 with a Vivitar DVR 550, but his work changed significantly when he acquired a Panasonic Lumix G85 in 2019 and started living in New York City in 2021. He is mostly self-taught and focuses on capturing the world around him through his lens.

1Can 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 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.

2Where 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.

3Do 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.

4What 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.

5What 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.

6What 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.

7What inspires your unique storytelling?

People, slice-of-life documentaries, art, movies, and recently a lot of house and trap music.

8What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?

Versatile, precise, easygoing.

9Congratulations! 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.

10Can 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.

11How has winning an award developed your career?

Right now I’m just thinking back on how my journey with photography began and being grateful.

12Name 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.

13What 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.

14What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?

Just do what makes you happy.

15What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Staying optimistic. Don't let criticism get to you too much. Be passionate.

16How 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.

Winning Entry

Empire State Building | 2023

A unique view of the Empire State Building in New York City ...
(Read more at New York Photography Awards)

Stuart Reed Martin

Read more about this article from Valentina Benigni from France, Silver Winner from the 2023 New York Photography Awards!