Cie Martin is a photographer who has traversed America with her camera, from New Orleans, to New York and San Francisco. Over her career she has explored the full scope of photography, from professional studios and fashion shoots, to the hustle and bustle that comes with shooting live music concerts. Having recently been drawn into the world of J-Pop, we took this opportunity to find out a little more about this amazing artist.
How did you first get interested/involved in photography?
I was around nine or ten years old, my Dad had a 35mm Minolta and I loved taking pictures with it. I remember doing “fashion” photo shoots with my girlfriends. We had the whole nine yards going… face full of make up, big hair, the fan blowing, Donna Summer blaring, it was so much fun. I just came across some of those pictures last year and they were hysterical.
Moving to New Orleans must have been a daunting task, what made you choose that city?
I visited New Orleans with a friend and fell in love with that city! Shortly after, I packed my car not knowing a soul there and moved. This was in the early 90′s, but I will still say to this day, New Orleans is the most interesting, intriguing and mysterious city in America. It’s a small town, an old fashioned city if you will, with endless levels of intense culture and richness, it’s sort of like a ‘how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go’ thing. It’s the perfect place to be an artist, so, so many interesting locations, landscapes and some crazy, lovable characters littered throughout.
Whilst being tutored by Rosemary Carroll, did you have an epiphany when you thought that you were truly a photographer and no longer a student? If so, what was that turning point?
Gosh, most of the time, I still think of myself as a student! There’s so much to take into consideration with photography, the learning never ends. Think about how many different kinds of photography there are… portrait, interiors, fashion, landscapes, concert, product. Oh, product is the worst for me, it’s so specific, each little reflection, each little shadow needs to be tended to. I remember working with Mattel many, many years ago, we had a Barbie shoot that took three days, Barbie even came with her own hair stylist! Product requires a ton of patience, something I don’t really have, but it definitely was a learning experience.
More recently, I’m learning so much by just shooting digital. Remember, I’ve shot film most of my life. Digital is a whole new game, it’s exciting, it’s magical, it’s humbling (for me). It’s incredible, although there are times I miss film, the simplicity of it. I guess I’m just sentimental.
So, to answer your question, I’m still a student and I like it that way. I feel like the moment we stop learning inside of our trade, is a potential for boredom to slither in.
Besides New Orleans, you have worked in LA, New York and San Francisco; do each of these cities have a different artist temperament? If so, which one is best suited to you?
I might get myself in trouble here! Yes, each city definitely has a different temperament and keep in mind these are generalizations, because each city has it’s own set of amazing artists.
New Orleans is the Big Easy, it’s all EASY! Artists are relaxed, creativity tends to ooze slowly, how could it not? Luckily, in New Orleans there’s inspiration around every corner. Los Angeles is very flashy and at times, it can seem like it’s more about who you know than the actual art itself. There’s something around acceptance there that can hinder an artist if they’re not careful. And then there’s New York, in New York it’s all about paying your dues, people suffer and bleed for their art, and they like it that way, a very serious crowd. San Francisco is environmental and political. And all that is reflected in their art, which works at times, but too often I see junk and recycled trash glued together in an effort to communicate a deep, esoteric message. That, for me, doesn’t work.
Whilst in New York, you were working at Fabrizio Ferri’s studio, Industria. Did you enjoy the meticulous approach to fashion photography?
I did. Again, I learned so much and just being around some of the greats of our time was an incredible opportunity. I left Industria for a time to work with Gordon Munroe in his studio, he is a long time photographer who studied under Irving Penn many years ago. He was an extremely talented man. Learning how to really manipulate lighting can be life changing, because you’ll never look at a photograph the same again.
What is it about capturing musical events that grabs your attention?
It’s a rush. I’ve got three songs or 12 minutes to get a great shot. (Industry standard is photographers can shoot the first three songs only). So, with the lighting and movement of the performers, sometimes you just don’t really know what you’re going to end up with. Every time, I’m itching to go home because I can’t wait to download them on to my computer so I can relive what actually happened. And then there’s those handful of shots that make you stop, you feel it in your gut… you’re like “that’s the one.”
You were recently at the J-Pop Festival in San Francisco, how different are the Japanese performances when compared to American artists?
Musically, not so different, it seems that the Japanese have similar genres that we do in the states, but with some of the artists, their fashion sense certainly took it to the next level! Overall, all the artists were incredible, Daichi, the Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass (What a name!), LoVendoR, everything I saw was great. The main performer, Kyrary Pamyu Pamyu, is Japan’s Lady Gaga, she says her personal style is creepy cute, I just love her and those damn songs are so catchy! Of course, she’s a more pop-py version of Gaga, but she definitely exudes her in areas of her persona, add some Katy Perry and then turn the fashion to ten! Over the top color, bows, very Kawaii, cute as a button.
It seems that J-Pop and Cosplay are becoming more and more popular worldwide, and photographers seem to gravitate towards Japanese-themed events? What do you think it is that attracts their attention?
Yes, I’m definitely hearing more about J-Pop and Cosplay in the last few years. The J-Pop festival 2013 was it’s fifth year running and has grown to 80,000 attendees, pretty huge for a festival that has yet to infiltrate American homes. And if I’m not mistaken, “Heroes of Cosplay” is a new show on the Syfy channel here in the states as well. So, it’s happening in a big way. I think why I love shooting Japanese themed events are simply because of the intricacies and attention that gets put into each fashion statement, I say statement, because it is one, rather then just an “outfit”. Cosplay and Japanese fashion designers are known to leave no detail untouched, whether it’s someone in costume or a fashion model on the runway, every inch is appropriately dedicated to the costume. Also, the usage of color is so risky, is so random and yet somehow it works. I’m also a sucker for this whole pastel goth thing, it’s just fun and sexy in my opinion. I think the whole movement overall is really allowing Japanese (and American) youth a healthy outlet of self expression. They really get to play full out without rules and that’s always a good thing.
Lastly, if you were given the opportunity to shoot in Japan, is there any dream location you would visit with you camera?
Honestly, I have yet to visit Japan, but it is at the top of my list. There are so many spots I would love to experience, the beautiful countryside, the islands, Mount Fuji, Hiroshima, but if I had to pick one spot, I’d say Tokyo. Maybe it’s because I grew up in New York, but to me metropolitan cities offer an endless wealth of photographic opportunities, day and night. There is so much to capture, architectural history, centuries of culture and most importantly, the uniqueness of the people. When I’m traveling, I’m always looking for the local vibe, what makes that city special. I love to wander and shoot all walks of life, from the affluent to the sordid underbelly of city life. And if it’s captured just right, it can be captivating, intriguing, sometimes disturbing, but always with the possibility of bringing emotion and education to the viewer.
To find out more about Cie and her amazing photography, be sure to check out her website here!