Sports Photography - BOB MARTIN

By: Syed Rayyan QadriDate: March 24, 2010

Subject: Digital Photography

About…

• I chose the topic, Sports Photography because it is the most interesting topic, since it has a variety of themes attached to it ; Different Sports

• I chose to elaborate on BOB MARTIN because he attracts people by his pictures. Not many people know him and there is hardly any information about him on the Internet.

RESEARCH

5 Research points that I focused on:

- Date and Place of Birth

- Significant contributions to the Art World

- What is the photographer trying to communicate through images?

- What did people say about his photograph work?

- Awards and Recognition

-Saturday, November 14, 1953 in David City , Nebraska, USA

- Even though he was born in USA, he lives in London, England (UK), and he is currently the only 'Sports Illustrated' photographer who works outside of the USA.

Date / Birth of BOB MARTIN

Significant contributions to the Art World

• Bob is a sports photographer who specializes in taking pictures of action scenes, graphic, and advertisement - corporate - clients' personal collections pictures.

• Bob is in this field for 20 years

• He took pictures of every single major sports event such as the last 10 Summer and Winter Olympics, Elephant Polo, Horse Racing on Ice, etc

• Traveled many places

Significant contributions to the Art World

(continued…..)His work has been published in many publications:- Sports Illustrated- Time Magazine- Newsweek- Life Magazine- Stern- Paris Match- Bunte- L'Equipe- The Sunday Times- The New York Times

and many many more.

What people have said about Bob Martin's photography?

• Thousands of people have gotten attracted to the pictures that Bob has taken in his lifetime. They have presented him with awards, rewards, and love.

• There are numerous blogs about this photographer that display his images so that the public can see and comment on it.

• Of course, the comments are very humble and praise each element of his picture.

What is the Bob trying to communicate through his pictures?• There are several of his pictures that inspire young teenagers or other adults to take photographs as good as him.

• His pictures are like a ‘movie’ that shows the action of that particular scene.

• He took pictures of the Paralympics in 2004, that give inspiration to everyone who are disabled or are missing a body part.

Awards and Recognitions of Bob Martin

- Bob's pictures have been recognized by many people, and therefore he has received over 53 national and international awards.

- Been a 3-time winner of the 'British Sports Photographer of the Year.

- In 2005, he won over 23 awards which included the 'Sports Picture of the Year' in the "World Press Photo Awards".

Samples of Bob Martin’s Work (Pictures)!

1) Horse Racing

• Elements of Composition: Lights / Shadows, Curved lines, Balance, Perspective (usually the image won’t be taken from that position)

• Effect: All of these elements put together give us the complete action in the picture, even though it is still.

2) Paralympics (Man swimming with no legs)

• Elements of Composition: Lines (Shapes), Balance (Asymmetrical) – Balance between water and platform, Color contrast

• Effect: This picture actually builds-up a motivational thought in the viewer that even though a person has no legs, he is still taking part in the Olympics. (para = paralyzed)

3) Man running through Fire!

• Elements of Composition: Depth of Field (blurry background), Color contrast, Lights and Shadows, and Lines in the background.

• Effect: This picture shows us the limit of sports that we have in this world. Such danger and thrill even in the picture. This is actually a sport; sometimes called ‘Death Game’ where people have to go through obstacles such as; fire, muddy waters, etc.

-With these pictures I showed that sports can be a variety of different acts and when you capture it into a picture it is different every single time. For example: In a soccer game, every goal is going to look different, played different, and seen different. That it why I chose Sports Photography, and the best person that displays this effectively, BOB MARTIN!

PICTURES:http://www.international-job-search.com/international-job-search-usa_market_report.htm

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_American_Theatre_Wing_Grants_Luncheon_20061207

http://behaviour2.110mb.com/countries/england/uk.htm

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/media_companies/five_magazine_publishers_plan_to_launch_ad_campaign_next_month_151171.asp

WEBSITES:http://blog.bobmartinphotography.net/2008/06/27/

http://www.bobmartin.com