Published.
In Print, Forever.
Banff Mountain Photography Competition: Grand Prize
In 2008, Marty achieved the highest honor in mountain culture by winning the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Photography Competition. His image, titled Rim Lit Climber, Céüse, France, was selected from a prestigious field of more than 1,900 photographs submitted from 20 countries.
The photograph captures the luminous glow of a climber in profile, highlighting the delicate balance between human effort and the natural environment. Presented by National Geographic and New Balance, the competition serves as a global benchmark for adventure imagery. Supported by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative and 1% for the Planet, the award recognizes not only technical mastery but also a deep commitment to the protection of wild spaces.
About the publication:
Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organisation built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organisation leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential.
National Geographic Magazine
In December 2004, National Geographic Magazine featured Marty’s evocative frame of rock climbers suspended beneath a crescent moon. The photograph was selected to illustrate the raw verticality of El Capitan, the legendary 3,000-foot monolith that defines the landscape of Yosemite National Park.
This vast cathedral of sheer granite has long served as the ultimate proving ground for the world’s elite climbers. Its cultural and athletic significance was further cemented in 2018 with the release of the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, which captured Alex Honnold’s historic and breathtaking ascent of the same iconic wall.
About the publication:
National Geographic is the official magazine of the National Geographic Society. It has been published continuously since its first issue in 1888, nine months after the Society itself was founded. It primarily contains articles about science, geography, history, and world culture.
‘Marty’s World’ | Outside Magazine
Outside Magazine published an extensive, multiple double-page feature spread titled ‘Marty’s World,’ showcasing the breadth of his global wanderings. The collection serves as a visual narrative of contrast, moving from the vibrant, sensory chaos of the Kathmandu streets in Nepal to the sculptural limestone arches of MoonHill, China.
The journey concludes in the high-altitude stillness of British Columbia, Canada, where Marty captured the crystalline clarity of the region's alpine mirror lakes. This feature highlights his participatory approach to photography, where the goal is not merely to observe a landscape, but to translate the physical experience of being within it for a global audience..
About the publication:
Outside publishes stories about adventure sports, gear, travel, fitness, health, culture, and the environment. We’re always on the lookout for reporting, essays, service pieces, and cultural criticism focused on the outdoor world. Because outdoor adventure writing has historically highlighted predominantly white male voices and subjects, we are particularly interested in women, BIPOC, LGBT+, and other diverse voices and subjects.
Viewfinder | New Zealand Geographic
In a sweeping "Viewfinder" feature, New Zealand Geographic dedicated three consecutive double-page spreads to Marty’s photography of Mount Ruapehu. The series explores the volatile majesty of this active stratovolcano, a landscape defined by its tectonic energy and high-altitude isolation.
Marty’s lens captures the stark contrasts of the mountain, where the raw adrenaline of alpine adventure meets the ethereal beauty of an ever-shifting volcanic environment. From the jagged silhouettes of the crater rim to the crystalline stillness of its snowfields, these images document the untamed power of one of the North Island’s most iconic and formidable peaks.
About the publication:
New Zealand Geographic is a magazine published by Kowhai Media Ltd of Auckland, New Zealand, in the format popularised by National Geographic. It focuses on the biodiversity, geography and culture of New Zealand, New Zealand's interests abroad, and that of the adjoining region: Antarctica and nearby Pacific Islands.
Hot Shots | Action Asia
While Hong Kong is globally recognized for its soaring skyline, Marty’s work for Action Asia reveals the region's hidden wilderness. A featured double-page spread of Lantau Island captured the ethereal transition from night to day, the result of a pre-dawn trek through the cold and dark hours of the early morning.
The photograph challenges the conventional perception of the mega-city, documenting a landscape of rugged ridges and quiet valleys. It is an exploration of the untamed fringes that exist just beyond the reach of the city lights, reflecting Marty’s dedication to finding rare light in the world's most surprising corners.
About the publication:
Inform. Involve. Inspire. Simply put, these are the three functions of Action Asia. A bimonthly regional magazine, Action Asia is a ‘must read’ for lovers of the outdoors who want to do more with their time off than simply hang out on a crowded beach.Our contributors include many world-class adventure photographers and writers who keep the accent on discovery as they showcase the best that Asia-Pacific has to offer.
The New Zealand Alpine Club Journal
The New Zealand Alpine Club Journal published Marty’s lyrical narrative and photography, documenting an evocative journey into the heart of the Southern Alps. This feature moves beyond the typical expedition report, offering a poetic reflection on the physicality of the high country and the silent rhythm of the mountains.
It serves as a testament to the enduring connection between the climber and the unpredictable beauty of the alpine environment. The full account is reproduced here, inviting a deeper look into the philosophy behind the lens and the spirit of exploration that drives his work.
About the publication:
The annual New Zealand Alpine Journal is NZAC’s premiere publication; a record, source for research and a forum for reflection.
https://alpineclub.org.nz/
VISCERAL GAMES
by Marten Blumen
Approach
The air - grey and misty. The mountain - glued together by dirt. This drives us closer to the edge. We are breathless, speechless and serious. This is Paradise?
The Pinnacles
Anchored, slung and the bottemless space is ours. First pinnacle and we're down or maybe not. The rock anchor has shifted, a buddy below, we grab to stop it. Done. Its time to move on. Down the pit again, all three little piggies on their way. Without guide or book we learn the path ourselves, remembering the 50 year old description - "an enjoyable day trip, not as hard as it looks" - we scoff at this as we fail to find a single solid anchor. We spy a tattered sling on a rock, out of reach and out of our version of sanity.
Escape
The Grand Gully. Our escape but a kicked rock 'speaks' of unseen cliffs. Yet the other ways are crazier - The Traverse of the Gods - wet and angled, strewn with loose debris. The gully below us. Fallen boulders temporarily halted from their slide by slags of mud and dirt - hardly the solid anchors needed for our descent - but we manage and walk down the mountain under stars.
Wilderness Magazine | Cover Feature
Marty’s photography graced the cover of Wilderness Magazine to anchor a vital feature on avalanche awareness. Captured on the high-altitude slopes of Mount Ruapehu, the image serves as a powerful visual testament to the unpredictable nature of the alpine backcountry.
The photograph was selected for its ability to convey both the stark beauty and the inherent risks of New Zealand’s North Island peaks. It stands as a reminder that exploration and safety are inextricably linked, requiring a deep respect for the environment and a keen understanding of the shifting mountain snowpack.
About the publication:
Wilderness has been published by Lifestyle Publishing since October 1991. Each issue, Wilderness chronicles the New Zealand outdoors in all its forms.
Capture Magazine | EXPOSED Challenge
In 2009, Marten was named the winner of the exclusive Capture EXPOSED competition, a prestigious honor designed to identify and elevate the next generation of professional photographers. Capture serves as a vital catalyst for the industry, rewarding visual creativity and technical excellence while helping talented individuals bridge the gap into the world of high-end publishing.
Winning this challenge marked a pivotal moment in Marten’s early career, validating his ability to produce high-impact imagery that resonates with industry leaders. It remains a foundation of his pursuit of artistic mastery and his unwavering dedication to the professional standards required of a storyteller in the field.
About the publication:
Capture is Australia’s leading magazine for established and emerging professional photographers. It showcases the latest photography and editing products, equipment and techniques from Australia’s best-known companies and trend-setters.