“How does one live with absolutely nothing and still find true happiness?” This was a question that nature and travel photographer, Hector Martinez, asked himself frequently during his recent journey to central Asia. For Hector, success is fundamentally about the integrity of each shot. How does one acquire it? What limits will he transcend? What is the story that needs to be told? Finally, what must one do to separate from the mundane? It is his curiosity of the human existence combined with a natural inclination to seek adventure, exceed boundaries and capture the extraordinary that made Hector’s trip to India and Nepal a photographic triumph.
© Hector Martinez
After returning from a dynamic and momentous trip to Cuba, Hector began to dream of India - literally. Suddenly, everything in his life began to steer him in that direction and he knew that India would be the backdrop for his next project. After very little planning, which, for Hector, means to simply buy a plane ticket, then map his course along the way, he began his journey to Delhi. He spent the next few months traveling the Indian countryside, absorbing the culture, gaining an understanding of its people, and truly acclimating to India’s lifestyle. With a profound knowledge and appreciation for all that he surveyed each of Hector’s photographs carries a sentimentality and feeling that tell the story of his journey and theirs.
Hector’s unconventional decision to not plan provided him with remarkable opportunities to “stumble” upon many of his pictures. Hence, patience is crucial to getting the right shot. After spending several days searching, unsuccessfully, for a Muslim temple he finally came upon one of the most beautiful temples in all of India. Although not apparent in the picture, ancient ruins surround this pristine edifice. Hector waited patiently, approximately eight hours, for an opportunity to capture a man taking a holy bath in front of the temple. At the end of the day he accomplished his objective. This persistence and respect for his subjects are what enable Hector to capture them in their most natural state.
© Hector Martinez
Hector’s sojourn hit a high point when he was introduced to the Hindu holy men known as Sadhus. Sadhus are people who have chosen to live their lives separated from the rest of society, without material belongings, familial ties, or societal obligations. According to traditional Hinduism, they represent the fourth and final stage of life and are closer to nirvana than the average Hindu follower. Sadhus are well respected and renowned for their often-extreme self-discipline and supernatural abilities. Hector was fascinated by these people and their way of life, and was fortunate enough to meet several Sadhus. Included amongst this group was one of high rank that he fondly referred to as “Black Sadhu”.
In Nepal, his final destination, as well as the longest leg of his trip, Hector continued his fascination with Sadhus. Soon after his arrival, Hector encountered a particular group of Sadhus that took a liking to him. He immediately established a rapport with them, earning their complete trust and respect, and soon found himself with a temporary home.
Baba Balak, a mid-level Sadhu, became his housemate and friend. Their home was a simple awning that provided shade. A few blankets served as their beds. Although conversation between them was limited, Hector managed to live with Baba Balak for weeks and learn everything he could about the everyday life and culture of a Nepali Sadhu.
After an intense, eye-opening experience with the Sadhus, Hector continued through the Himalayas, searching for the school that he learned existed in the depths of the mountains. So, with nothing more than his backpack and a general sense of the route he needed to take, he ventured through the mountains. His excursion took a lengthy seven days, complete with classic Hector Martinez twists, turns, and treachery including a landslide and multiple serious injuries. Yet, in keeping with his usual avant-garde style, Hector triumphed, reached the school, and, of course, obtained his shot.
Hector’s trip to central Asia proved to be another point of growth for him as a photographer, an artist, and a person. He once again found ways to push the limits of what he could achieve and who he could be as a photographer. His passion for getting that tough shot “against all odds” is what drives him sustains him and distinguishes him from others in his vocation. We must only hope, and anticipate, that his unrelenting appetite, to be one of the best, will continue.
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