New Year, new start for camera buffs


One of the country's top photographers is set to launch a new season of photo workshops here in the north west.

Martin Birchall, an award winning press photographer with more than 30 years front line experience, runs a highly successful photo workshop experience at Liverpool Cathedral and Knowsley Safari Park.

The workshops are aimed at people of all age ranges and abilities  - from photo professionals to snap happy amateurs - and are designed to help enthusiasts get the most out of their cameras and equipment.

Martin, who won the prestigious British Photographer of the Year award in 1997/8 along with the regional title award, said: "This year will be the third year I have been running the courses, which have proved very popular. This new series will be an ideal opportunity for established clients to try out their new equipment  while for  newcomers it will give them a taste of learning new photographic techniques in a relaxed and informal atmosphere."

Among Martin's many accolades, he  represented the UK at the Fuji Film European Press Awards in Istanbul, the highest honour achieved by any UK press photographer. He was also Nikon Regional Photographer of the Year 1996; Merseyside and Cheshire Photojournalist of the Year 2003;  has had six nominations for the British Picture Editors’ Association’s industry ‘Oscars’ and commended in the North West Guild of Editors photographer of the Year awards in 2008.

Martin is also a well-established lecturer in photography media studies, giving guest lectures at Bolton Institute, the University of Central Lancashire, Edge Hill University and Runshaw College, Euxton, Chorley.

In his career Martin has worked for the Press Association and was a staff photographer for many years at the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo. His pictures have appeared in regional, national, and international publications.

If you want to find out more about Martin's workshops this year, log on to www.martinbirchallphotography.com
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