AP’s Martin remembered as mentor, friend, talent

ATLANTA – Known as a master of his craft, longtime Associated Press photographer Dave Martin collapsed on the field of the Georgia Dome after taking one of his signature photos: the coach getting doused by his players.

The 59-year-old Martin suffered an apparent heart attack and died early Wednesday morning after working the sidelines at Texas A&M’s 52-48 win over Duke in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl on Tuesday.

Friends and colleagues remembered Martin as a larger-than-life character who was always happy to share advice with fellow photographers.

Martin covered nearly every major news event in the South over the past 30 years – including Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf oil spill – and he traveled to sporting events around the world and to conflicts in Afghanistan, Haiti and Iraq.

His award-winning visual storytelling was splashed across countless newspaper front pages and the covers of Sports Illustrated and other magazines.

He won national journalism awards for images including one of golfer Phil Mickelson celebrating his 2004 win at the Masters.