Travel photographer Michael Martin: That shocked him the most in crisis areas

As a 17-year-old amateur astronomer, he drove a moped from Germany to Morocco to photograph the stars in the desert. Today Michael Martin (58, “The essence of the desert”) is one of the most renowned travel photographers in the world. In his new book “The World in the Seeker: The Adventure of a Photographer”, which will be published on September 22nd, the Munich native looks back on 40 years of adventure and shows some of his most fascinating shots – from deserts and ice regions to rainforests and volcanoes.

The qualified geographer not only wants to take spectacular photos, he also wants to actively point out global grievances such as the dramatic advancing climate change. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Martin reveals where in the world he was most aware of its effects and what shook him most when visiting crisis areas such as Afghanistan. The 58-year-old also explains what particularly fascinates him about dry desert landscapes and why he suddenly found himself in a dangerous situation on September 11, 2001.

What did photography mean to you in 1976, when you discovered your passion at the age of 13, and what does it mean to you today?

Michael Martin: For me it was always a window to the world – as a 13-year-old to other universes, because back then I did a lot in the field of astrophotography and photographed galaxies and planets. I came to travel through astrophotography and took photos first in Africa and later worldwide. The camera has become a lifelong companion, a diary and a cultural bridge. Thanks to her, I had to reach out to people to find out about them. Without the camera, I might not have done that and without it I wouldn’t travel worldwide.

In “The World in the Seeker” you tell your life story and look back on exciting decades. What is your most memorable memory of the past 40 years?

Martin: In a few moments that weren’t necessarily the most exciting, some very extraordinary photos were taken – iconic images that I will possibly include in my work at the end of my life. Here the photo was special, not the situation. But there were also extremely intense situations. In 2003, for example, I met a Taliban victim in Afghanistan whose story touched me so much that I could no longer take photos. Instead, I helped the man and got him shelter and clothes. These experiences, in which no special photos were taken, will stay with me for a lifetime. If you travel 40 years there are hundreds of them. It’s hard to single out a single one.

Or decide on a specific photo theme. Nevertheless, you made the desert yours and crossed all the deserts of the earth. What fascinates you about the seemingly endless, barren landscapes?

Martin: As a 17 year old amateur astronomer, I wanted to watch the stars. I wanted to see the southern starry sky and went to Morocco on a moped after the eleventh grade during the school holidays. At that time my passion for the desert was triggered by the reduction of colors and shapes, the presence of nothing – without vegetation and people. I find it aesthetic, which is why my living room looks the same. (laughs) But then I’m also a geographer, and in the desert you can read a kind of geological history. You can see how mountains and sand dunes were formed and where rivers once were. Everything becomes comprehensible there, while in Europe everything is either built up or overgrown by vegetation. In addition – and that’s what fascinated me most as a young person – traveling in the desert is simply adventurous and cool.

As a photographer, you not only want to provide people with fascinating images, but also point out grievances. For example, you support UN refugee aid …

Martin: Yes, I was always traveling not only as a photographer, but also as a geographer. I studied that. That’s why I always say: I see with the eyes of the photographer and the knowledge of the geographer. During your studies at the university you acquire a certain worldview that enables you to recognize connections. All of our issues today, such as sustainability, extinction, climate change and the North-South conflict, are clearly geographical issues. They have always been part of my job.

Speaking of climate change, in 2005 you spoke at the UN Climate Change Conference in Montreal, Canada. Where did you see the effects of climate change most clearly?

Martin: In the Arctic and there they are visible in two ways. First, the sea ice cover is decreasing massively. I was in Franz-Josef-Land at 80 degrees latitude, where you used to only get there with the icebreaker, even in summer. Today you can sail around there without an ice-capable ship. Second, the glaciers are retreating. Another region where the effects can be clearly seen are the tropical mountains in the Himalayas and the Andes. There, climate change is much more brutally visible than in the Alps. The glaciers melt fatally under the tropical sun, which has existential consequences. While people in Germany complain that they can no longer ski on glaciers, the farmers there simply have the problem that they no longer have water to irrigate their lands.

You have also traveled a lot in crisis areas. What shocked you the most there?

Martin: The dramatic conditions under which people live and have to raise their children. We in Europe are completely unaware of the conditions in cities and rural areas around the world. We whine at the highest level and things like hospital care, freedom of the press, the rule of law and a good infrastructure cannot be valued enough. For some of us, a little humility would look good as a result. (…) We should be aware of what it looks like in other parts of the world and not completely forget the so-called south.

So how do you decide if a country is safe enough to travel there?

Martin: Well, first you look at the website of the Federal Foreign Office. You have to avoid certain countries because there are certain “no-go areas”. This includes countries in the Middle East or Afghanistan, for example. However, certain dangers, such as being attacked, cannot be ruled out even with good planning. Basically, two things are important: intuition or a feeling for what could be dangerous, and constant questions – not only about the Federal Foreign Office, but also in the country itself. Is the route safe? Can I drive that way? Sometimes you just have to take a different route.

In spite of all this, you have certainly experienced dangerous situations.

Martin: Of course there were a few, but I always say: The most dangerous thing is the German Autobahn! (laughs)

The amount of negative news often makes the world an unsafe, unfriendly place and people hostile. How do you keep your spirit of adventure still?

Martin: In my opinion, the world is no more unsafe than it used to be. Of course there are regions that should be avoided whenever possible. But you shouldn’t be put off by the neighbors’ talk. You have to do your research, but there is no reason to stay home. I advise everyone young and old to move out into the world when the corona pandemic is over. Because traveling is a wonderful way to correct prejudices, to classify your own life and to become humble. Traveling educates and it is worth overcoming your own indolence or fears.

In your book you also tell how you experienced the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 20 years ago.

Martin: Yeah. At that time I had just entered Pakistan (from China) and suddenly there was a danger that the borders to India would be closed. So I had to try to get out of there within 24 hours – and it just worked. It felt insecure because there was no information. You can get into such situations. Given that I’ve been traveling for 40 years, this was surprisingly rare.

Even though you prefer to plan and book as little in advance as possible, such as accommodation, rental cars and interpreters.

Martin: Yes, because basically my trips plan by themselves based on the photos. When I go to another country, it is not to relax, but to bring pictures and stories home with me. Of course I know roughly in which direction I want to go and what I am about to head for, but the daily routine is determined by the motifs, the light and the respective situation. I can never tell in the morning where I sleep in the evening. For example, if I have a great encounter with a family with a yurt in Mongolia, then I will stay there. Because I don’t go to hotels anyway, but sleep in a tent or in the car, I’m flexible. I leave out all things that are associated with comfort and vacation. I prefer to do that in Italy.

Do you prefer to vacation there?

Martin: I’m a total Italy fan and spend a lot of time in nature. I am currently taking part in a long-distance hiking project that extends in 65 stages from the Swiss border to the Mediterranean. For me this is relaxation.

And surely you will take photos there too.

Martin: No, not at all. I just take a few souvenir pictures with my cell phone. I make a very strict difference to my travels with a camera. They are not a vacation and I have no buddies with me, at most a second photographer.

Have you ever thought of emigrating on so many private and professional trips – or have you always enjoyed returning to your German homeland?

Martin: The thought never came. I feel very much at home and leaving was never an option for me. I was born here and have my friends, family, the publishing house and my employees here. Instead, I tried to combine both – normal life in Germany and the wild life when traveling.

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