Martin Schneider

Background

Martin Schneider was born in 1926 in New York City, New York, United States.

Education

Martin majored in psychology and photography at the City University of New York from 1947 to 1951.

Career

Since 1965 Schneider has worked as a consumer advocate and public intervenor. He was a film maker for NBC-TV from 1970 to 1971 and a photojournalist for Life magazine from 1967 to 1969. He also was employed as an ecological consultant for the Environmental Protection Agency in New York City (1970), the U.S. Public Health Service (1965) and U.S. Senate (1965).

Schneider worked as co-cinematographer on the following television documentaries: "Environment Crusade" and "The Poisoned Air," both CBS-TV (1970); "The Advocates" (1970) and "Pall Over Our Cities" (1966), both for WNET- TV. He was the cinematographer, director and writer of "Censorship of Pollution Solutions by Media & Government" (1973) for WNET and "Killers of the Environment" (1971) for NBC-TV.

Of his work, Schneider states: "In the tradition of sociologist Lewis Hine, whose crusading photography led to child labor laws, my ecological, engineering, photography and film work in public health and safety have been a basis for legislation, as well as consequent censorship, intimidation, blacklisting and seizure of my residence with all my possessions and my sabotaged mobile laboratory. However, where so many lives are at risk - where my work could make a difference - I can only be a concerned participant; never a superficial spectator of history."

Achievements

• PUBLICATIONS Books: Eye of Conscience, 1974; New World or No World, 1970. Contributor: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1970. Periodicals: N.Y. Times, Apr 23, 1972, Oct 25, 1970; Village Voice, Feb 19, 1970.

Membership

A member of ASMP.

Interests

• Schneider lists W. Eugene Smith, Dorothea Lange and Lewis Hine among those who have influenced him.

Connections

Father:

Morris Schneider

Morris (1886-1965) was a sculptor.

mentor:

Walter Rosenblum

mentor:

Louis Bernstein