Martin Parr’s Autobiography: A Revealing Insight into a Renowned Photojournalist
Photojournalist Martin Parr, known for his vibrant examinations of British life, is finally launching his long-awaited autobiography, reflecting on his career over nearly seven decades, reports BritPanorama.
The development of “Utterly Lazy and Inattentive: Martin Parr in Words and Pictures” faced significant delays, attributed largely to Parr’s candid acknowledgement that he is not a man of many words. Co-author Wendy Jones previously halted the book project for 15 years, believing that most of Parr’s essence lies within his photography rather than his verbal expression.
Parr’s renowned work captures the British public engaged in leisure activities, creating a misconception that he is outgoing. However, he maintains that pointing a camera at people requires a certain comfort level. “You try and use body language to disguise what you’re doing sometimes, and if there’s a lot of people, then no one really notices,” the 73-year-old stated in a recent interview.
In the heart of London, just steps from the Barbican, Parr, based in Bristol with his wife Susie, discussed the swift and focused nature of their interviews. Despite initial doubts that the book would materialize, Jones revisited the project, prompting him to narrate his story through the lens of his photographs, to which he readily agreed.
The book offers a meticulous chronological compilation of 150 photographs, each paired with commentary from Parr, as captured by Jones. Spanning from his birth on 23 May 1952, it reflects the transformation within photography from analogue to digital, a journey Parr has embraced wholeheartedly. “A wonderful life with photography,” he recounts, noting the changes he has witnessed and adapted to over time.
Parr’s early photographs include intimate black-and-white family snapshots, showcasing his grandfather’s keen eye for composition and detail, standing in stark contrast to today’s prevalent digital images cluttered in the cloud. “Everyone’s got an iPhone or a smartphone now… God knows what happens to all these images,” he reflects on the contemporary photography landscape.
Born in Epsom, Surrey, Parr recalls a time when photographs held significant weight, yet he swiftly adapted to colour photography, moving away from black-and-white due to its perception as trivial within British photography culture. Influences from American photographers like Stephen Shore and William Eggleston cemented his transition in the late 70s, leading him to create his signature style which merged vivid colour and intimate moments.
His notable works, such as the controversial “The Last Resort,” interrogated the socio-economic divides within Britain. Critiques of his work have persisted, particularly regarding the portrayal of the working class, with tensions peaking at Magnum photo agency during his membership candidacy. Despite this, Parr’s confidence in his distinctive worldview and support for emerging photographers via the Martin Parr Foundation demonstrates his commitment to the evolving field of photography.
Parr now grapples with a cancer diagnosis from 2021, which has altered his mobility but not his passion for photography. “It’s made me work harder, this year in particular. I know my days are coming to an end, so I’m out there taking pictures,” he asserts, sharing the challenges and triumphs of continuing his craft. Among his projects, he recently documented events like the Queen’s Garden Party in 2022, an occasion poignantly marked by his award of a CBE, further intertwining his personal milestones with the fabric of British history over the past 70 years.
Utterly Lazy and Inattentive: Martin Parr in Words and Pictures (Penguin, £30) is out now.
