Michael Marten
 

As people admire some great photographs from yesterday's great races at Belmont, we should also remember another great photographer that died way too young on Memorial Day.


http://www.drf.com/news/michael-j-ma...rapher-dead-54

you know you were good when...
 

in the story it talks about his Thunder Gulch photo. when a pic is that good that you visualize it instantly, thats what makes guys like this special. RIP

The first time I met Michael in the paddock (1987) I was told he was not easy to deal with. What I found was an engaging, funny guy and a good teacher. As film cameras have given way to digital, I still use some of his tricks, especially on bright, sunny days like Monday.

Condolences to his family and friends. RIP

Mike was a friend for many years. He had some sort of a beef with a racetrack about backside access one year so we "hired" him as a hot walker. Cant believe he is gone so soon.

Very sad, and only 54 years old.

He was a big talent and great fun to be around. His ATR visits telling stories with Haskin always made for great radio. He took tremendous pride in his craft and captured racing -- and so many subjects of his lens -- with great vision and flair. Am glad to have known him and treasure the picture below that he provided me at Churchill the first year I officially covered Derby as a member of the media.

Steve Haskin on ATR to remember Mike at 10:30 today.

I was an Easy Goer fan and a friend gave me a shot of Mike's of EG getting a bath after a work. Lovely shot. I later bought a pic of Go For Wand that he took.
RIP Mike, you were far too young...