Tell us a little bit about yourself, your education, you first job maybe, and how did you start photography?
I grew up in the streets of Delpan, Tondo and graduated Nursing upon passing the board exams, I went into corporate and worked there till 2014 and went full time into photography. I have always been fascinated with arts, I started phtography in high school but became serious during the advent of Digital around 2005-2006.
#fotografíaspotlight © Edwin Martinez, Filipino Landscape Photographer
What do you love most about what you do?
My photography journey started as a hobby and later on became a career. It is true what they say that if you love what you are doing it doesn’t feel like a job. What I love most about what I do is that you learn to appreciate Nature and being able to capture a piece of it in time.
What or who inspires you? Where do you find inspiration?
There are a lot of inspiration out there but my very first inspirations are the works of Ansel Adams and Galen Rowell, that gave me the basic understanding on landscape photography. I find inspiration everywhere, from a simple play pf shadows to the grand scenes like vast mountain ranges, I try to frame scenes in my mind and make a mental composition. Inspiration should not be specific and bounded. I believe every aspect of life is an inspiration.
#fotografíaspotlight © Edwin Martinez, Filipino Landscape Photographer
What is your favorite camera and lens? Could you tell us a bit about the equipment you use?
I have always love the Canon system, my first ever DIGITAL camera was a Canon. My favorite system before was the 5D series, perfect for my chosen genre. Full frame, sturdy and can withstand the harsh outdoors. I am now hooked with Canon EOS R, the mirrorless system of Canon where weight and newer technology makes it easier for the photographers to concentrate more on the creative aspect of photography. My go to lens is an UWA lens, from the EF 16-35mm F2.8 to the now RF 15-35 F2.8 lens. About 80% of my portfolio is taken with an ultrawide angle lens.
#fotografíaspotlight © Edwin Martinez, Filipino Landscape Photographer
Name an interesting place you’ve ever photographed? Travel destination? Favorite road trip perhaps?
I have been asked so many time on where is my favorite place. I always have the same answer, Iceland. Most places are concentrated on certains scenes, like the Canadian rockies are more into lakes and mountains, Norway is more of the fjords and coastal areas. Iceland is diverse, its landscapes varies from waterfalls to canyon, ice beach or coastal areas to mountains, ice caves to the northern lights. Second would be Patagonia, the harshness and the mountain ranges are best for road trips.
#fotografíaspotlight © Edwin Martinez, Filipino Landscape Photographer
What music do you like to listen when you edit images? And can you name artists?
I listen to various types of music but for editing I like soft and easy, I usually listen to Peter Cetera’s songs to newer artists like Aesgir (Icelandic artist) and Ed Sheeran.
#fotografíaspotlight © Edwin Martinez, Filipino Landscape Photographer
What is your dream photo shoot, dream photo assignment?
One of my major bucket list is to climb and photograph Mount Everest. To document each stages of the climb and photograph the landscape from the summit. I made a promise to myself that I will try it before I reach 55.
Name atleast 2-3 Filipino photographers you look up to?
The late John Chua has always been an inspiration when it comes to photography as a profession. Ibarra Deri is another photographer who I look up to and Wigs Tysman, they are the best in their fields and continue to be an inspiration for new photographers.
Do you ever get burned out? If yes, what helps you get back into the creative process?
Back in 2018, I was out like 8-9 months on photography tours, It was fun but brutal, creatively it took some toll and when I got back I didn’t touch my camera for almost 2 months. I think repetition and monotonous activity kills creativity, if you feel that you are not being artistic or creative anymore then stop and just rest. To jumpstart my enthusiasm I will travel again to a new place and just enjoy the journey without any camera.
#fotografíaspotlight © Edwin Martinez, Filipino Landscape Photographer
Non-photography related, any other hobbies you love to do?
I have been into many hobbies, I love to sketch and draw, I also did some drag racing before but nothing serious. I always go back to sketching, it’s a stress reliever for me, keeps my mind focused on one thing.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Never be afraid to try out new things. If someone will ask me when I was back in college studying Nursing If I could see myself as a photographer, I would probably say no. Life is not a definite process, it is a trial and error, never be afraid to try out things. When I resigned from my corporate career and concentrated in photography, the first two years were difficult which almost made me go back to corporate but I pushed through and now I think I can say that I have been successful with my photography tours and made a niche market.
#fotografíaspotlight © Edwin Martinez, Filipino Landscape Photographer
Any photography project or discipline would you like to do after the enhanced community quarantine?
I wanted to try out wildlife photography including bird photography, I think it’s a perfect addition to landscape photography since you are already in the outdoor. So I would probably dedicate some time for this project.
Any message to fellow creatives during the pandemic?
Quarantine is the best time to learn new things, there are many resources now that can make learning easy. Try a new processing technique, learn a new genre of photography online like landscape photography or product photography. Another one that I always tell my students and tour participants is learn every part of your camera, check out other functions you haven’t used like time lapse functions, different AF modes, etc. This is the best time to learn this.
#fotografíaspotlight All images © Edwin Martinez and used with permission. To see more of his work, you may visit his website and follow his Facebook page.