He was Martin Parr

Martin Parr was a decades long constant in photography who was known for his super saturated, contrasty images, both literally and metaphorically. Awarded a CBE in 2021, which for non-UK listeners is rather a big deal, and the subject of a beautiful documentary in 2024, I wanted to remember Martin who for me is up there with other British cultural icons like Vivienne Westwood, David Bowie and Alexander McQueen. When we think of British cultural exports it’s safe to say Martin’s work will be remembered along with Paul Smith, Monty Python, Doctor Who, The Beatles and the Mini Cooper.

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A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.