Welcome to the Richard Martin Photography February newsletter.

In the midst of the winter freeze here in Canada, Richard prepares photographs for printing for his upcoming show in Toronto - and thoughts drift to Spring in Umbria.

UMBRIA TOUR - A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE (6 participants) more info

May 16 - May 25 2007 (9 nights)
There are still a couple of spots left for the Umbria tour in May.

THE DIGITAL DARKROOM: WORKING WITH IMAGES IN PHOTOSHOP more info
The digital darkroom workshop held recently in Kingston was a great success. A second workshop is scheduled in Feb. to accommodate the waiting list and additional interest resulting from the first workshop.

Kingston Feb 10 –11 2007 (3 spaces remaining)
Toronto Mar 31 –April 01 2007 (2 spaces remaining)

INNERSCAPES PHOTOGRAPHY AND SUBJECTIVE REALITY - EXPLORING YOURSELF THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
more info
Richard teams up with psychotherapist, writer and photographer, Lee Kraemer for this new 2 day workshop in Toronto. Gain greater awareness of the ways in which you perceive and orient yourself in the world. Learn some techniques to help you express yourself with your camera.

Toronto  April 13-14, 2007

VENICE TOUR - A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE (6 participants) more info
Nov 09 - Nov 16 2007
Explore the city of canals in November in order to take advantage of the atmospheric mood and quality of light, which comes with the mist and colder weather of late fall.

OTHER WORKSHOPS AND TOURS
For a full listing and more info, see the Tours and Workshops page on his website.

LOWEPRO CALENDAR Again this year, one of Richard’s photographs has been featured in Lowepro’s 40th Anniversary ‘Year in Images’ 2007 calander.  The image, a single tree in spring, was made in Kingston, Ontario. Richard is also profiled in the new 2007 Lowepro ‘Vision’ catalogue with an colourful abstract image made in a junkyard.

PHOTO LIFE Richard’s article ‘Parallel Effects: The consequences of conformity’ published in the January 2007 issue of Photo Life magazine, received numerous positive emails. The following are excerpts from a selection of emails Richard has received in his mailbox. “I have been a subscriber to Photo Life for many years, in fact since it used to be called Photo Digest, and I have NEVER found an article as interesting as the one you wrote on creativity and conformity in the context of camera clubs.” - Mario Lagacé

“Thank you for articulating so well what many of us have discussed and been frustrated with for quite a while.  Your article should be required reading by all members of all clubs.” —Bill Young

“Just a word to let you know how much I enjoyed your article in the recent Photo Life. Your comments re: competition and the negative aspects of the camera club scene are close to my own feelings. Your realistic yet positive spin on the whole matter was very encouraging. May anarchy prevail!."  — Larry Monczka

“That was an excellent article! You did not make many friends among the judges at camera club competitions, but you said what needed to be said.  And I say that as a photographer who was very heavily influenced by the "rules". That's life .... but it needs to change.”  — Peter Burian
 
“I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your article in Photo Life. Your article could not have come at a better time. I resemble those people you talk about who get 'beat up' by the photo groups they participate in. I'm torn by family and friends telling me my work is great, and unacceptance in the photography community. Between that and the negative comments from the online groups I've participated in, I decided that family and friends were just being polite and that I should treat photography as nothing more than a hobby, even though it is my passion; and is the one activity that puts me into a state of complete and utter contentment. In short I was ready to hang up my camera. Your article has encouraged me to continue my photographic journey and ignore the negative reactions from others in the photographic community. I will continue to explore creativity through the lens. Thank you for putting into words something that I had thought many times but dismissed as too egotistical." —Roberta Murray