centritis

Randy P. Martin, 26

1. Other than having an incredible first name, what about your lifestyle makes it’s way into your photos? you are probably one of the most consistent photographers contributing right now, how is this possible?

My photos are my lifestyle. It’s normal for me to meticulously document my life in different ways for whatever reason and I like to do fun stuff with my friends… a camera is usually at my side so it sort of just works out I guess. That whole consistency thing, hah I don’t know at all because the work you’ve seen is shot with probably 15 different cameras that I got in a big grab bag from a guy on craigslist. I can’t help it. My brain is kind of stuck right now.

2. Your photographs are almost the epitome of a narrative so how much do you photograph? How long would it take you to finish a roll of film, usually? 

I don’t really know actually. I only started shooting film again for the first time in a long while this past year and it’s just been so up and down depending on the time of year and whether or not I’m traveling or actually settled down for a minute. I recently got around to organizing all of my negatives from april 2009 until now, and I’m counting 92 rolls. Scan scan scan is at the top of my to do list.

3. Regardless of your consistency, is there an effort you are striving for, something you want to achieve or change about your style? 

Well, I definitely have come down with a pretty severe case of centritis over the past year or so and as blasphemous as it may be to divulge in this interview, I think i need to start easing away from how center heavy most of my images are. I’ve made an actual effort recently, against every instinct. It’s weird. 

4. If your favorite photo was a song/album/famous person, who or what would it be and why? 

I don’t really know what this means. A specific favorite photograph that I’ve shot? My favorite photo I’ve ever seen? A hypothetical photo that the song/album/person would turn into? That new Girls album is pretty summery bike riding beer drinking at sunset with all of your friends fun timey. I could stand to look at that for a while.

5. What is light?

Light is what makes or breaks my photos. I like it. Lots of it. And little tiny slivers of it. And all of it at once. Just so long as I’m smart enough to keep my camera back shut until actually rewinding, Or maybe not sometimes.

6. Most of your photographs are of your friends while adventuring or just hanging out, what would your photography be like without them? 

 A friendless adventureless existence? I don’t even want to think of it. My guess is they wouldn’t exist at all.

7. Your photos really bring the viewer into the moment and allow them to experience it along with the subject, all thanks to your perspective. Is this something that came natural or something you grew into?

Point and shoot point and shoot point and shoot.

8. It seems you’ve traveled across the US extensively, or at least more than the average person, out of the places you’ve visited/lived what’s your favorite?

In the U.S.? There are too many amazing places to name one favorite but this past summer I did visit a little self sustainable forest community in southern georgia that I kind of fell in love with. A clothing optional lake with a half submerged hammock in the center, a building called the glass house, and all of the accommodations tree houses! I leave for India on a one way ticket in 6 days. I think I may be able to pin down a favorite for you pretty soon.

Randy’s flickr.