NEW

Newfoundland Masterclass

Experience the majesty of Newfoundland through your camera’s lens.

Workshop 1: Sunday, September 15th, 2024 – Monday, September 23rd, 2024   SOLD OUT
Workshop 2: Monday, September 23rd, 2024 – Tuesday, October 1st, 2024   SOLD OUT

Freeman-Patterson

"Richard Martin’s intelligent and caring workshop philosophy is based on a great deal of experience, both as participant and instructor. The creativity of his vision, images, and teaching is inspiring."

Freeman Patterson
Photographer

What You'll Do

By popular request and following successful tours and workshops from previous years, Richard will now be leading annual photographic workshops in Gros Morne National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a variety of photographic opportunities, participants will explore the grand vistas and close-up features of this unique place of inspiration, beauty and natural history.

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Capture Abstract Rock Formations

Based in Rocky Harbour, the week will be spent photographing the landscapes, abstract rock formations and waterscapes in the park.

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Experience Stunning Landscapes

Experience an exceptional boat tour in Western Brook Pond fjord, a spectacular glacier-carved land-locked fjord with waterfalls cascading from 2000 feet above. Explore the seemingly barren landscape of the Tablelands, walking upon the earth's mantle. Photograph abstract patterns of tectonic plate collisions and ice age features.

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Explore The Shores

Make time exposures at sunset, recording the movement of water washing over the rocky shorelines. Photograph the spectacular sequence of layered rocks at Green Point along the rugged western coastline and discover why Green Point is a global reference point for geological time.

What Our Participants Say

“My photography journey has benefitted tremendously from Richard's generosity in sharing his creative vision and skill, which combined with his love of humour and fun makes learning a cinch.”

– Alice Yen Yong

“Richard Martin, along with Freeman Patterson liberated my generation of Canadian photographers from the rule-bound shackles of camera club tradition.”

– Larry Monczka

“The reason I travel with Richard as often as possible is because I know I will be inspired, I know I will be pushed to see differently, I know I will be challenged creatively and I know I will laugh… a lot.”

– Sally Harris

“It was great to have the opportunity to travel with Richard and see his exceptional eye for color, shape and texture in action. He has a wonderful gift.”

– Jim Graham

“[Richard] is truly a born teacher, always available to participants, and I always go home not only having had a good time but feeling that I have grown creatively.”

– Mary Macey Butler

“What impresses me is that how [Richard] "sees." There were times on the trips that he saw pictures in the midst of chaos. He is very approachable, has a great sense of humour and just plain good company both while photographing or socializing. He takes photography and teaching to another level that I have not seen from other professionals.”

– Gene Morita

Meet Your Teacher

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Richard Martin

A long-time contributor to Photo Life magazine, Richard pursues photography as a medium of visual expression. He is a deeply committed instructor who guides participants on a voyage of personal rediscovery on his photography tours around the world. His passion and insight help the student in opening up the creative doors and to reflect on the special qualities that dwell within them.

A good instructor should have the ability to move people – connecting them with their emotions. Reinforcing to participants the fact that fine images are made with their hearts and souls not their thousand-dollar lens.

Qualities That Make A Good Instructor

Some of the qualities which contribute to a good instructor include:



  • Instructors should be deeply committed to the process of making images, while possessing honesty and integrity in their own work.


  • They should encourage individual ways of seeing and expressing, and should NEVER impose their own views on students.


  • One who enjoys sharing their knowledge, without ego! – this aspect is very important.

One who is always accessible to participants, being available for assistance, and dividing time fairly between students.


  • One who can guide participants on a voyage of personal rediscovery, opening up doors and helping students reflect on the special qualities that dwell within them.

What You'll Learn

Advance Your Craft

Learn how to put your craft, vision, and imagination to the test by pushing the process of making photographs to the limits.

Expand Your Knowledge

Develop new skills and acquire new technical knowledge during a time of inspiration and personal growth.

Develop Your Visual Style

Indulge yourself in an environment where the focus is on you and your photography, where you can experiment to acquire a greater appreciation of your medium and a greater awareness of yourself and your creative direction.

Play & Experiment

Try new things with the opportunity to explore your craft in ways you may not attempt on your own. Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes and grow from them.

Gain Inspiration

Be inspired in a place where you can engage your imagination, stimulate the senses and rekindle your passion for photography.

Exchange Ideas

Meet with others involved in the medium to share ideas. Time spent as a group can be a journey both visually and emotionally—a time for the soul to get away from the daily routines and refresh the creative energies.

Discover Your Vision

Learn the art of visual design and the philosophy of vision in a hands-on environment, because technique to a large extent can be learned from a book.

The Workshop Format

The aim of this 8 day workshop is to offer an intensive learning experience for a small group of passionate photographers who want to live, learn and photograph in this special place. The overall format includes a balance of early morning, day and evening field trips to a variety of scenic locations.  Richard will accompany participants every day to give suggestions and advice on working with natural light, composition, colour and shadow.

As time allows there will be critiques throughout the week of the work in progress, from a technical, compositional and aesthetic point of view. There will also be free time to allow for personal exploration. Available daylight is approximately 15.5 hours during our visit; therefore siestas will be part of our daily routine as we balance field trips, meals, downloading and rest. During our down time there will be opportunities for evaluation of participant’s work, instructional sessions on visual design, image capture, and digital raw conversion using Lightroom.

Gallery

Want To See More?

Click here to see more photos from Newfoundland, as well as galleries from past trips.

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To Ready Enrich Your Visual Life?

Whether you’re interested in developing your own visual style or expanding your knowledge or craft, attending a workshop or tour may turn out to be one of the best investments you make towards enriching your visual life.

Not Quite Sure Yet?

Why not visit our contact page, we would love to answer any questions you may have!

Registration

Contact

Audrey deVoest
Travel Consultant
Merit Travel
adevoest@merittravel.com

Merit Group Tours

25343 Dundas St W, 4th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M9B 6K5
Toll-Free (866) 341-1777 ext. 6905
TICO #50017680

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