Explore Your Creative Spirit In Venice

Experience the magic of Venice through your camera’s lens.

Workshop 1: Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 – Friday, November 15th, 2024   SOLD OUT
Workshop 2: Saturday, November 16th, 2024 – Monday, November 25th, 2024

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

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Walk The City

Venice is surprisingly compact and most of the sights can be comfortably visited on foot; in fact you can cross the entire city in about an hour. One of the great pleasures of exploring Venice is walking in the absence of traffic.

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Explore The Labyrinth Of Venice

We will explore the labyrinth of alleys, side canals, courtyards, and cloisters for the many photographic opportunities, which exist behind the scenes. Photographing reflections in the canals and abstract patterns from the countless bridges.

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Cruise The Canal

Making time exposures at sunset recording the activity of gondolas moving along the Grand Canal, from atop one of its three main bridges. Or simply getting lost, deep into the residential and working areas of this maze like city to photograph the people at work and play.

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Experience Colourful Burano

There will be two separate day trips to Burano, the most colourful of the lagoon islands, with its waterways lined by brightly painted houses and a trip to the timeless garden like cemetery on the island of San Michele to photograph angels and other splendid Italian sculpture.

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.

Gallery

Want To See More?

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

Venice Photo Tour Pricing

Single Occupancy

$5,745 CAD per person
  • 9 nights accommodation including breakfasts (based on single occupancy).
  • ACTV unlimited transportation (water buses).
  • Guggenheim Museum pass.
  • Photographic instruction and feedback.
  • 2 Zoom sessions prior to departure.
  • Welcome dinner and farewell dinner.
  • Any airfare, departure & airport taxes and fees, passport and visa services & fees.
  • Baggage, equipment, medical and cancellation insurance.
  • Beverages with meals, meals other than mentioned above, tips and gratuities.
  • Tips to drivers, guides and escorts, any tour or transportation services on days stated as free days.
  • Tips to porterage and maid service.
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, taxi, excess baggage etc.
  • Travel insurance and optional tours, etc.
  • Transportation to and from the airport and transportation outside the scope of the organized tour event.
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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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