A Master's Work: Bob Martin

Us young photographers can only marvel at what true masters of their craft were capable of in the days before digital … they used what was called ‘film’. You took pictures, which were latent on film and existed primarily in your mind. After a while, when the film was ‘developed’, they revealed themselves to the world ... there was no ‘screen’ to check if you were right on the light, the composition or the focus.

Bob Martin, photo by Denisé Samuel

One of those masters is Bob Martin of South Africa, the extraordinary photographer of Theatre & Motion Picture Personalities. Bob was a portrait photographer in the truest sense (in comparison I am just a person with a camera who shoots people). He lived his work, as is documented in the anecdotes that accompany his photos ... click the name of the person portrayed and scroll down on the flickr page you get taken to, you'll be rewarded with a read of highly personal encounters between photographer and subject; if you're short of time and can't really be bothered, I urge you to read at least the stories of the Jose Greco and Eartha Kitt shoots. Any student of photography is in good company with Bob Martin (... and if you've stopped studying and learning, dear reader, you are not worthy of my blog.)

The photo session with José Greco (excerpt) ... after a matinée performance, we got to work. It was a magical experience and one which Robert Lang ... described better than I can in his article for Personality magazine in 1965:

‘Spain’s internationally famous dancer, José Greco, is one of Bob’s favourite people and favourite subjects. He took portraits of Greco, after a matinee performance at the Civic Theatre in Johannesburg, which they both thought would be a dismal failure. After seeing the finished pictures, however, Greco was more than enthusiastic, and called a special performance for Bob’s camera. And he made them dance! No photographer in Madrid or New York had ever completely captured the spirit of their fiery, uninhibited dancing, he said. For three hours Bob photographed the Gypsies in performance – and Greco was enthralled at the results. “You’re marvellous” he announced. “This is what I’ve wanted for years.”

Bob Martin, the dancer-actor-singer at 21, photo by Anne Fischer

This article was written to promote Bob's first ‘Exhibition’ after 10 years:

In the foreword to his book, actor Sandra Prinsloo says:

"... Bobby still has that wicked sense of humour and still loves cracking jokes – both wonderful assets for a photographer who had to deal with the often tense and brittle atmosphere of a final dress rehearsal (not to mention the insecurities and fragile egos of actors, singers and dancers!). Bobby knew how to cajole the often exhausted cast into co-operating with him and this resulted in great pictures often taken under very difficult circumstances ..."

the movie stills photographer in 1964

Bob and I converse since he became a reader of my blog; says he ...

(not really supporting my efforts at humility):

"Dearest Carsten, how can I even begin to describe how amazing your site is! Just fantastic! Suffice it to also say how much I wish I had ‘taken the plunge’ and moved to Sydney when I was young enough and able enough.

dreaming

Now, (at 86) I can but dream. I thank you so much for your ‘friendship’ and envy your quiet wisdom (and solicitude!) ..."

Bob Martin

Theatre & Motion Picture

Publicity Photography

South Africa

www.bob-martin.com

My little article has made some waves in South Africa’s theatre community ...

here’s some of the feedback it generated:

Lyn Smerczak darling dad. just when I thought I could never be prouder, I got prouder still. Wish you guys could meet. I love that you aren’t raging against that damn light but simply, serenely and gracefully ignoring it completely. Superb. (First born daughter!)

Vincent Hantam It's about time. Big Glasgow hug! (Dancer)

Lindy Grindlay That's lovely Bobbie! And all true! The skill of taking light, a roll of coated acetate and sheets of coated paper, some chemicals and a huge helping of vision to create magic such as yours is a great art indeed. Well deserved! (Theatre costume designer)

Leticia Muller Wonderful Bob ! Congratulations !!! (Dancer)

Tanya Petrick Gerber Pragtig! You are a true artist xxx (Dancer)

Christo Snyman Congratulations Bob. I came to PACT after your time but heard much about you. Just browsed some of the gorgeous black and whites now. All stunning. The one of Jana Cilliers is breathtaking (Actor)

Nigel Hannah Fantastic Bob. A wonderful article. Keep well. X Nige (Dancer)

Jan Venter Lovely Article .."Bobbejaan"...mis jou! (Dancer)

Stella Pike Fabulous Bob! You must be so proud and deservedly so! (Dancer)

Johan Engelbrecht Well deserved! (Producer-Actor)

Shirley Johnston Bravo Bob! (Actress)

Liza Lewis Congrat Bob Martin this is something and wonderful article xxx (Actress)

Michael Hankinson Congratulations - lovely pics Bob - we are now back in the UK. - in King's Lynn (‘Maestro’ - Conductor)

Kerrylee Maier Wonderful accolade, so nice to read and see pics (Actress)

Dianne Harris Symonds Beautiful article and so true you're a legend Bob xxx (Dancer)

Denise Stephani So proud of my master photographer friend Bob Martin. He also took some famous photos during the Apartheid struggle (Dancer)

Maxine Denys I too, have very proud and fond memories of all your work - you deserve all the accolades being afforded you. Fond regards, always, Maxine xx (Dancer)