Explore Your Creative Spirit In Oaxaca
Experience the vibrancy of Oaxaca through your camera’s lens.
Workshop 1: Monday, February 3rd, 2025 – Wednesday, February 12th, 2025
Workshop 2: Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 – Friday, February 21st, 2025
"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
Capture The Rich Colours
Capture the rich colours and textures of the historic city centre, and the faces of young and old against evocative surroundings. Approximately seventeen indigenous tribes remain in the Valley and many of these people appear in the city in their traditional dress.
Experience Tradition
The Historical Center of Oaxaca was declared a Cultural Patrimony of Mankind by UNESCO, and extends six to eight blocks in each direction from the Zócalo. The Zócalo (traffic free city center) laid out in 1529, is surrounded by colourful cafes and heavily used by the locals. The Macedonio Alcalá plus other streets around the Zocaló are pedestrian walks, ideal for people watching. In addition, the Mercado Juárez (one block square) close to the Zócalo, overflows with traditional artifacts and food.
Explore The Town
The sprawling open air Abastos Market (listed on the cover of “One Thousand Places to See Before You Die”) is spread out for blocks on the edge of town, offering everything from trinkets to large animals, including handmade and manufactured goods in colours that native son Rufino Tamayo borrowed for his paintings.
See The Heart Of The City
Churches are a must for anyone wishing to understand the heart of the city and its people. Making photographs are permitted in the 27 Spanish Colonial churches situated in the historic center. In addition, there is a large and very old cemetery in the city, and numerous interesting cemeteries in the surrounding pueblos.
Behold The Architecture
Explore several of the museum courtyards in search of architectural form. Some excellent examples include Casa de la Ciudad, Museo Philatelica, Museo de Artes Graphicas, and Centro de Fotografía Alvarez Bravo.
Step Into The Rhythm Of Oaxaca
Step into the rhythm of the city with daily outings. Spend early mornings and late afternoons sauntering the streets of Oaxaca, with its well-preserved colonial architecture and vivid life. Our regular daily outings will be interspersed with three separate field trips to the surrounding countryside. Details contained in daily itinerary.
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
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
Itinerary
Workshop 1: Monday, February 3rd, 2025 – Wednesday, February 12th, 2025
Workshop 2: Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 – Friday, February 21st, 2025
Our tour itinerary has been designed specifically for serious photographers, to ensure that more concentrated time is spent in the most photogenic areas. In addition to individual attention in the field, time will be spent reviewing participants work while learning digital workflow and visual design. Instruction is kept flexible to accommodate a changing itinerary and varying skill levels of the participants, and to allow for spontaneous photographic opportunities.
There will be an opportunity for informal review of work throughout the trip, from a technical, compositional and aesthetic point of view. There will also be free time to allow for personal exploration.
Gallery
Want To See More?
Click here to see more photos from Oaxaca, as well as galleries from past trips.
Oaxaca Photo Tour Pricing
Single Occupancy
- 9 nights accommodation*
- 2 Dinners (beginning and end).
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Dedicated English speaking guide.
- All Entrance Fees as indicated.
- Photographic Instruction and feedback, including Orientation Zoom meeting.
- Any airfare, departure & airport taxes and fees, passport and visa services & fees.
- Baggage, equipment, medical and cancellation insurance.
- Airport Transfers to and from hotel.
- Beverages with meals, meals other than mentioned above, tips and gratuities.
- Tips to drivers, guides and escorts, any tour or transportation services.
- Tips to porterage and maid service.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, taxi, excess baggage etc.
- Travel insurance and optional tours, etc.
*In a Junior Suite (includes Monday, February 3rd, 2025 – Wednesday, February 12th, 2025; and Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 – Friday, February 21st, 2025).
Ready To 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
