Explore Your Creative Spirit In Prague

A photographic experience with Richard Martin and Jan Miřacký

Dates TBA

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

Photo Tour Itinerary

By popular request and following a successful tour in October 2016, Richard will return once again to lead a photographic tour with Jan Miřacký. In addition to the ‘best’ of Prague, this trip also will include the Morvian landscapes in the south. We are going to explore this very particular region of Southern Moravia. Undulating fields, rhythmic lines, lonely chapels, various groves and tree “islands” in the fields. A similar landscape can be found in Tuscany (Italy), which is why this region near the town of Kyjov is called “Moravian Tuscany”.

Charles bridge in historical Prague after sunset

Explore The Vibrant City

Prague (Praha in Czech) was the ancient capital of Charles IV's Bohemian Kingdom, and has played a pivotal role in the development of Central Europe since the Middle Ages. Its epic history has produced a vibrant city of stunning buildings and lovely old squares, and as a result, Prague is one of the world's most beautiful cities today.

Typical red roofs in center of Prague

Experience History

In 1992 the historical centre of Prague, all 866 hectares, was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. Prague has a compact city centre. From Prague Castle on one side of the city centre to Wenceslas Square on the other is just a 25 minute stroll (walking through the Lesser Town, across Charles Bridge and through the Old Town).

Silhouettes of Prague towers and statues on Charles bridge during sunrise

Play With Light & Shadow

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

Images Copyright © by Jan Miřacký.

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 Teachers

Richard-Martin_Profile

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.

jan_miracky

Jan Miřacký

Jan Miřacký is an experienced landscape and travel photographer based in Prague, Czech republic. His passion to explore and photograph has brought him to almost 30 countries all around the world and still counting. When he is not traveling, he shows his home city of Prague to other photographers and teaches them photography on his Johnny’s Prague Photo Tours. He also organizes photography courses and workshops in Prague and is a co-founder of Czech travel agency named Zirhamia.

www.janmiracky.com

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.

Itinerary

Dates TBA

Day 1

Day 1: Saturday, April 21st

Arrive in Prague and transfer from the airport to our hotel. This day is primarily to arrive and settle in from your overnight flight. If time allows in the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing photo walk focused on street photography, and during the blue hour, visit the famous view of the bridges over the river at Letna park. (Sunset today is at 8:05pm). If participants decide to rest instead, we will have the opportunity to repeat this walk during the week. The group will have dinner together and discuss the plans for the days ahead.

Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

Enrolment for tour is limited to 9 participants.

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.

The overall format includes a balance of early morning, day and evening field trips to a variety of scenic locations.

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.

The tour begins on Saturday April 21st and concludes the morning of Monday April 30th.

Prague Photo Tour Pricing

Single Occupancy

$5,600* CAD
  • 9 nights total accommodation including all taxes and fees.
  • 3 nights / 4 day tour to Český Krumlov and Moravia.
  • Breakfast daily and 2 dinners.
  • Photographic Instruction and feedback.
  • 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.
  • 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.

* $4388 USD approximate estimation based on current XE's CAD to USD currency converter.
* Please note all payments to be in Canadian currency only.

Based on Single Occupancy / Twin rates on request.

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All Prague images Copyright © 2017 by Jan Miřacký. Used by permission of Jan Miřacký to illustrate the tour.

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

Gayle Outhwaite
Senior Travel Consultant
Merit Travel
gouthwaite@merittravel.com

Merit Group Tours

186 Princess Street
Kingston, Ontario K7L 1B1
Toll-Free (866) 341-1777 ext. 3372
TICO #1862579

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