Robert H. Martin Photograph Collection

Collection

Identifier: PAAC-0044

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Comprehensive collection of material relating to the photographic career of Robert H. Martin includes original prints, copy prints, 4x5 and other format negatives, comprising a very large quantity of negatives and prints, most not matched, with a wealth of material dated 1940-1973 on such subjects as Santa Fe and surrounding area towns, landscapes, family photos, street scenes, religious processions, churches, events, Los Alamos, USO, and people.

Dates

1946 - 1973

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to researchers on a request basis only, pending approval of request to view original material.

Copy Restrictions

User responsible for all copyright compliance. Permission to publish must be obtained from Photo Archives. Form to request permission available at: https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/collections/photo-archives/order-photos

Biographical Information

As a young boy growing up in Chicago, Robert H. Martin was given a little box camera as a present from his mother for his 12th birthday. It was the start of something big. That camera led to a career, worldwide adventures, and work that he loved with a passion. But when asked, he said that the two finest things his camera ever brought him were New Mexico and—by far the most important—the love of his life, his wife Mela Ortiz y Pino, sister of Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven of the distinguished New Mexico family.

Martin studied photography at the Maholy Nagy Institute of Design and other schools before World War II broke out. Declared 4F he could not serve in the war but did qualify for duty as a photographer following the war and ended up documenting the Los Alamos project even travelling to Eniwetok Atoll in 1949 to record carnage from the war and nuclear tests. While working as a US Army photographer at Los Alamos he met Mela (Manuelita) at the Santa Fe USO club where she worked. After a lengthy courtship they married in 1950. Martin retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1980 after 33 years as an employee. He busied himself photographing Santa Fe people and events especially events related to church activities. In 1990 he was declared a Master of Photography by Professional Photographers of America. His wife Mela died July 7, 1998 and Robert died December 16, 2005.