In August, I was fortunate enough to go to Freeman Patterson and Andre Gallant's workshop in Saint Martins, New Brunswick.  Unlike the photography tours that I go on, the workshop was much more structured with lectures, photo critiques and even an assignment.  Yes, it was like being in school again but way more fun.

20140817_France_0003 The night before I left, I went to check in Air Canada's website and found out that my 2.20 flight had been cancelled and that I had been put on a later flight.    Fortunately I was able to get on an earlier flight and arrive at Saint Martins' Country Inn around 2 PM.   So I was able to check in and wander about the small village.   The photograph above is Saint Martin's Country Inn  where the group stayed for the week.

20140817_France_0008 My room was on the second floor so I was up and down these stairs many times every day.  The Inn was lovely and the food was fabulous.

20140824_France_0102 A close up view of the Inn.

20140817_France_0003 I decided to walk to the tiny village and check out the harbour.  I was thinking that I might meet some of the photographers attending the seminar but instead I met a few villagers and locals who were all very friendly.  Saint Martins is 40 km east of Saint John and is situated on the Bay of Fundy.  I had driven through New Brunswick at least 20 years ago but I had never been to this area.  Throughout the 19th century, St. Martins was  known for  shipbuilding.  Led by shipbuilders including James Moran, St. Martins became one of the first shipbuilding centres in the Bay of Fundy.  Over 500 ships were built here.  After the 1870's, shipbuilding declined and lumbering, fishing and later tourism  took over.   Now tourism is the major attraction.  The population of the town was around 400 people in 2006.

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20140817_France_0002 You can see the sea caves in the distance.  The town was very quiet on this Sunday afternoon. with just a few people on this rocky beach.  

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The first morning of the seminar, we divided into two groups.  My group stayed at the inn with Freeman.  First assignment was to stay in one spot with the camera and tripod for one hour to see what compositions we could come up with.  The above photo was one of my shots.

20140818_France_0001 Another photo taken from the same spot.  There were endless possibilities which was really what this assignment was all about- the art of seeing.  According to Freeman there are great shots available no matter where you are.  

20140818_France_0011 Later on in the afternoon, a few of us walked across the street  to the beach to check it out.

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