We have been touched and gratified by the many thank-you notes and comments
we have received from both our participants and those whom we fondly
call our "spousal units," including these from Savannah & Her Lowcountry:
"Great to watch the Blog and hear of your exploits. I do miss our time together. I feel like I really grew as a photographer those few days. Abilities and confidence. Now I must find a way to do one of the longer trips, but bring my wife along. Hope all is well. Look forward to many more meetings with you."
And a little while later...
"What a great time! The friendship time, the camera time, the “family”time . . . All was great.
"The direction and instruction by Arnie and Margo was tremendous. At times it was a little nudge to get you to possibly re-direct your camera or mental vision. Other times, it was a little more of a push (that Margo!). No matter which way, you were always treated with respect and professionalism. Statementsssuch as, ‘Remember what drew you to the scene and make sure that is your only subject,’ as Margo would look through your view finder or Arnie and his mantra, ‘Simplify and isolate.’ Our favorte was Margo and her ‘ahem." Not sure how to spell it, can’t even make the sound, but I am sure everybody who takes a Barefoot Contessa workshop has heard it from the corners of the shoot. Someone is doing something ‘wrong’. I know our group had great fun with that one.
"Again, the whole workshop was just fun! Friendships, Photo ops, 'Family' time. Yes, 'family' time. In just a short period of time, our group had become a close 'family.' Laughing together, laughing at each other, supporting each other, enjoying meals together, sharing past history and stories. It was just like being together with family, a family of photography nuts, but a family. I plan on doing more workshops with these great photographers and people.
"Thanks, Margo and Arnie."
And more recently...
"I think I have become a one-person ad man for you in our area and with my online friends at Betterphoto. Haven't won any prizes/awards, but of the photos that I have loaded up on Betterphoto (since the workshop) 11 out of 16 have been give an "Editor's Pick". (http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=150961&mp=V2) Had a good Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show and Sale. Placed three photos in the Bath County Art Show (they gave us flyers while at workshop).
"Again, getting tons of compliments about how my work has gone to the next level. Thanks for the confidence in my abilities. You and Arnie's tutelage and confidence in me open my vision. I have always been confident in my abilities as a dentist. That was sometimes lacking as a photographer, especially in the context of being a 'professional photographer.' No, I don't do it as vocation, but as Arnie commented, 'You are a professional photographer'. Many thanks to my mentors and friends, Arnie and Margo. Looking forward to doing another workshop with you soon. Yes, I still hear that little 'ahem' in my head when I do something 'wrong' or don't take time to take that small step to the left or tilt my camera in an odd way to get a photo. Lois looks at me rather oddly, when I quietly make a comment about Margo gently scolding me! LOL. Have a great rest of the summer."
John Singleton, Virginia, USA
"Again my appreciation for all your help, as well as good humor in putting up with such a high-energy group. Nothing but kudos from everyone I talked to about the week."
David Kay, Virginia, USA
"I learned a lot at the Barefoot Contessa photo workshop in Savannah and found both Margo's and Arnie's critiques to be spot on. They are enthusiastic, passionate, and generous with their time. One-on-one guidance in the field, as well as during image editing sessions, really enabled me to focus on my weak spots and remind me of some basics that I sometimes get sloppy and forget (!).
" I hope to join them again on another photo adventure in the not-too-distant-future."
Cheryl Richer, New York, USA
"Arnie and Margo,
"Hello from beautiful Puget Sound! I just wanted to thank you for a great week in Savannah. I appreciated both of your teaching styles, sense of humor, patience, and the effort you made to spend time daily with each of us.
"I have been to several other workshops, and can say I came away with more practical tips and techniques with BCPA. There are a number of suggestions you made that pop into my head (with the appropriate voice) while I am shooting, especially how to properly cradle my long lens. Also, thank you for the SC road map atlas and tips for around Charleston. Beautiful area that we hope to return to someday.
"I look forward to joining you guys at a future location for more photographic harassment from two great instructors!"
...and later ...
"Margo, I also wanted to thank you for demonstrating how to walk back with my hands to get myself back into a standing position after being down on my knees while shooting — definitely one of the better photography tips I have ever been given!!! My knees thank you, also!"
Jim & Sharon Moore, Washington, USA
"Thanks again for making our workshop so wonderful. The group was very interesting, and I hope that a few of us can join you again in the future.
"In terms of results, I believe that I created some of the best pictures ever — something I have never said after any other workshop. Of course, the setting was perfect, and I like your approach to photography in general. You know that I mean this, as you will have me on three more outings.
"Also, I like the booklet that you have prepared. You and Arnie did a great job and deserve a good rest. I will look to see what you have to say on your blog."
George Dalsheimer, The Caymans
"Margo and Arnie,
"I just want you to know several things. First of all, the accommodations you selected were superb. I can't believe the price we paid for what we received ... More importantly, the workshop was great.
"I know I don't show it when each of you are giving me suggestions and pointers in the field, but I do try to absorb what you each are imparting. My absorption rate may be low, but some of what you have given me is sticking. You both have a unique vision. I'll never come close to that but at least I've seen the mountain top --and I'm having fun looking at it!"
Jack Tierney, Maryland, USA
[Writing to one of our alumni who recommended us...]
"You were right. Margo and Arnie are great to work with, and it was a fun workshop. The days were long but full, and I started to get results that I can see in my photos as well as when I am setting up to make a photo. They both worked with me, as well as the others, and I know I have started looking at photos and situations differently.
"It was a great learning experience, and I enjoyed working with them and chatting with them. I still take an occasional vacation album photo, but I am striving to make even those better. Yes, I still hear over my shoulder either Margo or Arnie commenting about my composition when I am setting up, i.e. "Is that bright light supposed to be in the photo?" or "You might try a different angle," or "Look for the potential hazards," or "Simplify!"
"Thanks again!"
Dave Sutherland, California, USA
"I enjoyed and appreciated the workshop. You made a greater effort than in any others I have attended to really give meaningful instruction and assistance...
"Keep me on your mailing list as I hope to be with you again one day. After years of taking pictures, I am at last beginning to be more atuned to the light!!!"
A Y Brown, North Carolina, USA
"The Savannah workshop will stick with me for a long time. First off, I've never seen two photo-workshop instructors pay as much attention to the specific needs of each participant as you all do. In retrospect, each of us came into the Savannah workshop with different levels of shooting experience and different objectives. Yet somehow you figured out a way to add significant value to each photographer's thinking and toolbox ... quite an amazing process to witness firsthand!
"Secondly, the locations we shot at in Savannah yielded far more image opportunities than I anticipated after looking at Savannah images available on the web. I learned several new items while out shooting, e.g. experimenting with HDR and low-light conditions; and I ended up discovering some oddities about my camera that I simply did not know AND won't forget.
"At the end of the workshop, it was eye-opening for me to see other participants' images ... they captured a wide array of terrific image opportunities that I just flat-out missed! Overall, a fun learning-by-doing experience. Easy to recommend to my photo-buds!!! Will do again."
Goodloe Suttler, North Carolina, USA
"The best thing about the Savannah workshop was that it made my camera much more directly an extension of my eye. Arnie and Margo gave me fantastic one-on-one instruction, especially on how to find the best shot. With them by my shoulder, I thought about what I wanted, isolated and simplified. Those lessons will stay with me, because they are superb instructors!
"And that is sincerely meant. Will be watching for the next workshop opportunity that works for me."
Nathan Dean, Florida, USA
"We loved the workshop! Margo and Arnie are the pros who have done it all but possess the uncanny ability to engage and communicate with photographers of any skill level. I never knew 12-hour days could be this much fun!"
and in another e-mail...
"Please let us know when you guys
are doing one in Asheville. You guys are great!"
John Brooks, North Carolina, USA
"I wanted to send a note thanking you for the wonderful photography experience in Savannah. I learned so much that I feel I now have a whole new outlook on photography -- many new horizons to work towards.
"I would especially like to thank you for the hospitality you showed my wife, Keith. She had a really good time and now has a much better appreaciation of my hobby (which will help a lot when I want to add new gear). We look forward to joining you again in the future."
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"I enjoyed and appreciated the workshop. You made a greater effort than in any others I have attended to really give meaningful instruction and assistance...
"Keep me on your mailing list as I hope to be with you again one day. After years of taking pictures, I am at last beginning to be more atuned to the light!!!"
