Quotable Quotes from Alumni - Venice in the Fall

Here are a few comments from our alumni. For more, click here.

As time permits, we will be adding more quotes.

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How can you miss having an incredible experience on one of Margo and Arnie’s workshops? I was there Nov 2019 and we experienced Acqua Alta, the high tide and storm that brought major flooding to the City and outlying islands. Did it ruin our workshop? NO WAY. There were some inconveniences, and I was disappointed so many gelato shops lost their refrigeration, but the photo opportunities were tremendous. Because they know the area well, they were able to adjust locations and create an atmosphere that encouraged our creativity. We avoided the highest waters for safety reasons and since our boots were not high enough, but we were out exploring and photographing every morning and evening and some afternoons.

This was my third workshop with these two fun and visionary photographers. The pace is intense. You get up early, go out for the great early light. Back for breakfast and editing and then a critique. Back out for evening shooting usually followed by dinner as a group. It is not uncommon to do a bit more shooting in the dark after dinner. They don’t sugar coat comments in the critiques; they are tough yet constructive. The amount you take away from them is phenomenal and will influence your photography for the good for forever. You learn too from critiquing the work of other participants and their critiques of your work. And I always find it fascinating how people can be out photographing in the same place, same time and come back with such different interpretations. And that is the core of a Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures workshop…each person finds his/her own way to interpret what is see and how it is shared.

At least once during the workshop, they give an assignment. In Venice, before our second trip out to Burano, we were told to create an image using reflected light and capturing the brilliant colors of the town. The catch was that it could not include water. (We all did plenty of reflections as tides came in and out, but not for this one.) I loved the assignment. I found the narrow alleys bounced light from one side to the other highlighting simple things like pipes and shutter handles. Back home I find myself looking for reflective light in all kinds of situations.

I had hoped for the fogs that are often present in Venice in Fall as I love fog photography. We didn’t get the fogs, but we got some incredible light, the experience of seeing and often photographing Venieziani and Buranesi as they went about dealing with flood damage in their incredible resolve.

And everyone does a lot of laughing and talking. Margo and Arnie, or “Marnie” as repeat participants often refer to them, are infectious. And yes, Margo is sometimes barefoot and more often simply in flip flops.

    ~Betty P., California

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Venice was an awesome adventure; we had such a great time with Margo and Arnie. Even though we faced some difficult challenges [acqua alta], they kept us safe at all times. They worked with us to create some stunning images and try to reinforce concepts that we could follow whenever we are out photographing. They make a great team, and you always come away with some fantastic images.

Thanks again to you and Arnie.

    ~Carmelina C., New Jersey