Martin Pick Photography

Stock photography by Martin Pick at Alamy

Documenting the Sheffield Cutlery industry has been an ongoing project for the past four years. As the thriving City changes develops and grows the work continues.

Martin Pick

Martin Pick - Although on a much smaller scale the industry is healthy, the survivors are finding niche markets to exploit and are adopting new sales techniques (see the links page). But, above all, the passion and enthusiasm to work metal by hand and secure a living by producing high quality durable products remains. It is a pleasure to be able to work with these crafts people and record their activities.

If you are interested in the history of the industry I would recommend Geffrey Tweedales excellent book ‘The Sheffield Knife Book A History and Collectors’ Guide’ (ISBN 1874718113). You should also visit the Kehlam Island Museum which is situated in the City and provides an excellent insight into the history of the trade, start by visiting: www.simt.co.uk/index.html

If you are a collector of cutlery or flatware then visit one of the Cities specialist shops or buy on line. Few things have better balance and poise than a good Sheffield blade.

Quality prints from any of the images are available for purchase, email me at martin@martin-pick.co.uk including the file references and I will quote you a price and conditions.

About Martin

My work seeks to record the world as I see it; providing, I hope, a visually stimulating record. The challenge is to produce images that stand alone and have the qualities of exhibition works.

Really everything comes from my love of documenting and capturing ‘the image’; stealing the moment and making an object of interest and intrinsic value from it.

South Yorkshire is my home and it is the area in which most of my photographic energy is directed. To me it is an area of fantastic contrast ever changing as national and global events impact on its landscape and people. History, regeneration, renewal, urban and rural environments are all there to be explored.

I don’t see myself as a professional or amateur. I’m a photographer. I was a photographer before I did my first days paid work so ‘photographer’ pre-dates any label of employment status. As a photographer I try to act professionally and try to work to the highest standards possible. I hope that sometimes I succeed.

I work mostly in black and white but if the subject demands it I use colour. I’ve been using digital cameras and printing since 1999 and much as I think of a return to film and wet processing I accept that we have moved on. The history of photography is one of ongoing technical change. It is great to be around when such an important change has occurred.

I hope you like the images presented in this website and that you enjoy browsing through it. New work will be added as projects develop. It would be great to get your feedback via the Contact page and if you have an idea for a project then let me know as I am always interested in suggestions.