David Martinez
STILLS + MOTION
“Ultimately, what I love about photography and motion circles back to simplicity. It’s about taking out what isn’t needed to reveal the essential.”
My love of storytelling started when I was 16 while photographing the San Francisco punk scene. What drew me to photography then is what I still love about it now - the endless ways you can use images to tell a story. And what began as a solitary journey has evolved into a highly collaborative process - an integral part of my photography that I really love. I’m always humbled by how many people and places contribute to one single frame.
That youthful curiosity is now coupled with experience, which I call on when it comes to solving creative problems, creating an environment which allows for serendipity, or knowing the perfect time of day or location to frame the stories I want to tell. Ultimately, it’s not luck that makes a spontaneous picture happen - but careful consideration of environment, light, talent, and production.
In my life as in my photography, I’ve learned to value simplicity. It’s all about each detail being considered - with care + with intention. I draw from that simplicity not only when I choose a surfboard or curate the objects in my home, but when I approach lighting + composition in a photograph as well. From a pared down approach comes purpose. When I use lights, it’s never done excessively - I light with a gentle touch. When I use natural light, I do so with the intention of respecting the integrity of the light itself.
Ultimately, what I love about photography and motion circles back to simplicity. For me, photography and filmmaking are really about a type of minimalism- how to convey complex ideas in a distilled image or short video piece. It’s about taking out what isn’t needed to reveal the essential.
At Work
David's Projects
PROJECTS
Capturing San Francisco's Essence: An Interview with David Martinez on His UCSF Campaign
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The Perfect Project: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at David Martinez' Rewarding Pharmaceutical Photoshoot
We can't always share pharma work, so instead we are sharing the BTS story of David Martinez' "Perfect Project"
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David Martinez Refreshes his Director's Reel, Placing Emphasis on Levity, Simplicity and a Good Beat
David Martinez is a collector of stories, with every new encounter an opportunity to tell a unique story and remove what isn’t needed in order to reveal the essential. In his new Director’s Reel, David captures fresh faces, new adventures and moments of zen.
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David Martinez Keeps Things Simple and Films Solo for Peace Vans
Photographer and Director David Martinez values simplicity in life and in his work. He is always looking for ways to eliminate unnecessary distractions that can take away from the beauty in front of us. So when we sat down to talk to him about his recent work with Peace Vans, we weren’t surprised to hear that this project evolved from a chance encounter in a coffee shop in Baja.
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David Martinez Creates a Fitting Study of Contrasts
Before the pandemic arrived, David Martinez produced a dramatic collection with a dancer in the empty streets of Soho, having no inkling that these images would soon reflect reality.
Read moreDavid's News
PROJECTS,NEWS
David Martinez Refreshes his Director's Reel, Placing Emphasis on Levity, Simplicity and a Good Beat
David Martinez is a collector of stories, with every new encounter an opportunity to tell a unique story and remove what isn’t needed in order to reveal the essential. In his new Director’s Reel, David captures fresh faces, new adventures and moments of zen.
Read morePROJECTS,NEWS
David Martinez's New Website Is a Vision Through Balance
A collector of stories: first light, open roads, and salty hair, David Martinez launches his new website to a roaring round of applause. We spoke to David about his background and his photographic vision.
Read moreNEWS
David Martinez, One of the Original Library Shooters
David Martinez has always shot with libraries in mind. He wants the hero shots but needs to direct a scene where the hero and other support imagery will come. Here is PDNs coverage.
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