Welcome back to Bag Raid, our slightly intrusive series reminiscent of an airport baggage screening—without the tardy security or X-ray technology, of course. This time, we go elbow deep inside skate documentarian Martin M Niyo's Roscoe and Repeater Pouch.
Photos: @martinmniyo // @goretexdurag.
The humdrum routine of testing a spanking-new phone camera is all too familiar. It’s innocuous, doesn’t leave the backyard, and usually over within the hour. Few of us, excluding Martin M Niyo, owe our livelihoods to it. What began with a slew of clip-on lenses quickly blazed its way onto the front page of Slam Skateboarding magazine. Now equipped with Fujifilm, Canon, and Konica glass, Martin M Niyo chronicles Adelaide’s skate scene from every perceivable angle. It’s a playbook worth studying. Naturally, we started with the hardware.
Bag Raid w/ Martin M Niyo
Fujifilm XT3 - Ever since transitioning to Fuji, my love for digital was reignited. The way the design mimics traditional analogue SLRs, coupled with the aperture rings on the lenses, makes me feel like I’m shooting on film with a digital output. The 35mm 1.4 is usually glued to this camera.
Canon EOS 55 - I picked this up in Japan for less than lunch money. As I already had a few EF mount lenses and a Canon flash trigger, I figured it made the most sense.
Konica A4 - Little beast. Sharp lens and fits in any of my pockets with ease. I’ve had two of these, as the last one died in a bag with spilt bubble tea.
Fujifilm 18mm 1.4 or Viltrox 75mm 1.2 - Kept in the Repeater Pouch when I’m out shooting.
Roll of film - Usually Kodak Gold.
Keys, hand lotion, lip balm and chewing gum - Cannot leave the house without these. Hygiene is key and I hate having dry lips and hands.
Martin, briefly tell us who you are?
My name is Martin, some call me M Niyo, others call me by my personal Instagram handle ‘goretexdurag’ hahaha. I’m a photographer and videographer.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Adelaide, South Australia—the best place in Australia, hahaha.
How did you get into photography? What made you pick up a camera?
I fell in love with photography after getting my first ‘decent’ phone back in 2013, a Samsung Galaxy S2. I immediately went out the back and took photos of every flower and leaf I could find. Hahaha. There was something about visually immortalising moments that gave me so much dopamine. I experimented with different clip-on lenses e.g. macro and telephoto, before committing to my first DSLR.
What was your first camera?
My first proper camera was a Canon EOS 600D with the Nifty Fifty, before transitioning to analogue and acquiring a Ricoh TLS Singlex.
How long have you been shooting for?
On and off for about 12 years now. Time flies!
Describe your photography process or style?
Honestly, I wouldn't say I have a process or style. If something interesting catches my eye, I feel compelled to document it.
Biggest lesson photography has taught you so far?
Patience, for sure. Taking my time and understanding what and how I'm going to approach photographing my subject has been a game-changer over the years, and I’ll credit that to analogue photography specifically.
Film or digital? If you could only pick one?
If you asked me this question some years ago, I would've said film. However, lately I've been loving the simplicity, ease and convenience of digital.
What's your go-to camera setup?
Fuji XT-3 with the Fujinon 18mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4 and Viltrox 75mm f/1.2. A match made in heaven. For skate photos, I'll usually adapt a Canon 8-15mm fisheye with a couple of Godox flashes.
What's in your Hung Supply camera bag / on your strap?
On the Rein Rope Camera Strap I have my dear love, the Fuji XT-3, with the 35mm 1.4 attached 90% of the time.
The Roscoe Camera Pouch is designed extremely well, and I manage to keep my Konica A4 point and shoot, keys, chewing gum, hand lotion and lip balm with room to spare.
In the Repeater Camera Pouch—attached to my belt—I'll carry an alternative lens when I'm out shooting with my Fujifilm or Canon EOS 55.
Favourite film stock?
It used to be Portra 400, but I've been a huge fan of Gold 200 for a few years now.
Any dream camera or lens you're still chasing?
A Minolta TC-1. It’s so ridiculously overpriced for what it is—a point and shoot—but I'd love to be able to own one day.
If you could only shoot one camera for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My XT-3 with the 35mm 1.4. Hahaha. I love that camera.
What's the wildest thing you've done to get the shot?
Definitely shooting a photo of my mate Jay skating a serrated-edge beer funnel at the demolition site of the old West End Brewery in South Australia. We had to jump a tall fence that was right in front of an open café with customers sitting outside. I was on edge the entire time, not knowing if someone might’ve called the cops or something. The fine would’ve been hefty. It was worth it, though — we managed to get the cover for Slam Skateboarding Magazine Issue 240.
What's one photo you’re proud of that almost didn’t happen?
Back in 2017, I was out on a photo walk and went onto a school’s basketball court that had synthetic grass. It was my first time being on one with ground like that, so I was pretty fascinated. I liked the combination of colours it had, so I whipped out my phone to take a photograph of one of the white lines, and just before pressing the shutter button, a white pigeon landed perfectly perpendicular onto the white line. It wasn’t a crazy photo at all, but the odds of something like that happening are so slim. It blew my mind.
Favourite place you've ever shot?
Japan! That place is a cheat code.
What’s inspiring you outside of photography right now?
Skateboarding! Being out with the homies and discovering potential photo spots. It gets my mind thinking.
Check out Martin's Instagram pages, @martinmniyo // @goretexdurag, and Youtube channel, @martinmniyo.
Shop Martin's bags, the Roscoe Pouch and Repeater Pouch.
