Grandmaster of Photography: Martin Parr

Born on May 23, 1952 in Epsom, United Kingdom, Parr studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic. Switching from black-and-white to color photography in 1984, the artist joined the famed cooperative Magnum Photos a decade later.

The vote on his inclusion as a full member in 1994 was divisive because of his radical and unconventional way of photographing. His observation of human behaviors serves as a mirror to reflect society’s values. Exploring themes of consumerism, globalization, and social stratification, Parr’s humorous yet visually seductive take on life is exemplified in his seminal photobook „The Last Resort“ in 1986. Since his membership he released more than 40 solo photobooks.

In 2014 Martin Parr was even voted in as president of Magnum Photos International, a post he held for 3 years until 2017.

“Unless it hurts, unless there's some vulnerability there, I don't think you're going to get good photographs,” he said of his subject matter. Without a doubt he belongs today, to one of the most influential photographers of all time!

Miyagazi - the artificial beach inside the ocean dome, 1996, Martin Parr