Martin Usborne studied philosophy and psychology and then began a career as a 3D animator before eventually turning to photography. HIs key interest is in man’s relationship to other animals. Although his imagery is sometimes dark – capturing the way in which we silence, control or distance ourselves from other animals – his pictures almost always strive for a subtle humour. He has produced several books including two which feature dogs: The Silence of Dogs in Cars and Where Hunting Dogs Rest.
As well as being a successful commercial and editorial photographer Martin runs the independent photo book publisher Hoxton Mini Press, with his wife, Ann. They began at the end of 2013 after Martin self-published his own photo book, I’ve Lived in East London for 86 1/2 Years, setting out to bring accessible, beautifully produced but affordable photo books about east London to a wide, non-specialist audience. Since then they have expanded that remit to other areas and topics and have turned Hoxton Mini Press into a thriving and distinctive inprint with almost fifty books to its name.
In episode 093, Martin discusses, among other things:
- An email he got from a photographer who shall remain nameless
- His feelings about Hoxton Mini Press on the eve of its 5th birthday
- The economics of book publishing
- The Hoxton Mini Press brand and what seems to sell
- I’ve Lived in East London for 86 1/2 Years
- The Silence of Dogs in Cars
- Where Hunting Dogs Rest
- Ideas for personal projects
- Where are photo books going and the future for Hoxton Mini Press
Referenced:
Jenny Lewis
Nick Turpin
Zed Nelson
Annie Leibowitz
Stephen Shore
Martin Parr
Dewi Lewis
Andy Sewell
Chris Dorley-Brown
Spencer Murphy
Dougie Wallace
Martin: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Hoxton Mini Press: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
“There’s an avoidance there. I love photography and being a photographer but there is a certain amount of fear in doing your own thing. And it’s sometimes easier to produce other people’s work. And to go out and to do your own project and it not be good is quite scary...”
EPISODE SPONSORED BY: THE MARTIN PARR FOUNDATION AND THE CHARCOAL BOOK CLUB