Martin Parr
Martin Parr
Martin Parris a British documentary photographer, photojournalist and photobook collector. He is known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at aspects of modern life, in particular documenting the social classes of England, and more broadly the wealth of the Western world. His major projects have been rural communities, The Last Resort, The Cost of Living, Small Worldand Common Sense...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPhotographer
Date of Birth25 May 1952
photography world complicated
Photography is the simplest thing in the world, but it is incredibly complicated to make it really work.
propaganda glamorous
Most of the pictures we consume are propaganda.
photography reality giving
With photography, I like to create a fiction out of reality. I try and do this by taking society's natural prejudice and giving this a twist.
photography roles world
Part of the role of photography is to exaggerate, and that is an aspect that I have to puncture. I do that by showing the world as I really find it.
hypocrisy trying photograph
I try to photograph my own and society's hypocrisy.
lists shooting next
I am kept awake by the list of possibilities for shooting more photos and deciding what I must prioritise next.
tourism world industry
Tourism is the biggest industry in the world.
who-i-am people funeral
I always take photographs when I attend a funeral. Most people there know who I am and expect me to be there with my camera.
tourists records moments
From the moment the tourist enters the site, everyone has to be photographed in front of every feature of note.... The photographic record of the visit has almost destroyed the very notion of actually looking.
preparation months firsts
When I first started learning how to take photographs, you had to spend the first six months figuring out what an f-stop was. Now you just go and take pictures.
technology thinking phones
Nobody thinks about technical issues anymore because cameras or camera phones take care of that automatically. On the other hand, you still have the option of controlling every technical aspect. It's the most accessible, democratic medium available in the world.
photography photographer remember
Everyone is a photographer now, remember. That's the great thing about photography.
photography roles intimidation
Photography's central role is to be the absolute medium of the day. It is fantastic that there is no longer any technical intimidation.
photography fashion lying
Part of the role of photography is to exaggerate. Most of the photographs in your paper, unless they are hard news, are lies. Fashion pictures show people looking glamorous. Travel pictures show a place looking at its best, nothing to do with the reality... Most of the pictures we consume are propaganda.