It’s fun to review the year with all its travels and interesting people. We have welcomed back alumni, some of whom will be attending their seventh workshop with us, and met new participants who are now alumni themselves.
During scouting time, we get to shoot for ourselves. It’s our time. While we have the pressure of making sure our locations are fine, we take the time to feed our own creative juices, some of which may end up in the Instructor Galleries, some not.
Arnie and I have made a selection of one image each from our workshops, both this year’s and next.
People & Culture of Belize – I liked the way this leaf abstract echoed the swirl of the skirt in the photograph Arnie picked of the young Maya dancer.
Savannah & Her Lowcountry – We selected completely different subject matter, even though they were made only a few hundred yards away from one another. Arnie loved the broad, river scene at sunrise, while I went for a detail of a statue.
Charleston, a Southern Belle – 2012 will see the first regular workshop here. We did a private one for three of our alumni several years ago, and people have been requesting another ever since. There are two places we love to shoot outside of Charleston. One is amongst some so-called “boneyards,” skeletal remains of trees long surrounded by water because of changing currents and coastlines, where I did mine. Another is at a small, historic site with a few gravestones dotting the surroundings, where Arnie did his photo.
Springtime on the Outer Banks – is in our own back yard. We never tire of photographing here. Mother Nature keeps changing things, and the light is always different. We both came up with abstracts. Arnie’s is of the ebb and flow of the water in moody coastal scene, while I picked some sand patterns I found in one of my favorite dunes.
Cascades & Wildflowers of Virginia – There is a location we always visit where the Dogwoods are magnificent. I really liked the simple, Asian feel of blossom-laden branch against the gray sky. Arnie chose a photograph of one of the many back roads we frequent, the trees showing their spring blush.
Maine’s Acadia National Park – This is an area I have known since childhood sailing on my dad’s classic, wooden yawl. It will always be in my soul, and I am glad that Arnie has also taken to this area. We both are fascinated and mesmerized by the way the water dances around the rocks and ledges. Arnie’s favorite was a vertical done in the late afternoon as the sun disappeared permanently behind a bank of clouds. I was drawn to the patterns the incoming tide made around a group of rocks a stone’s throw from the shore and only a few yards away from where Arnie got his shot.
So while some of these images may be somewhat “typical” of their location, others are not. And I doubt that you see anything like these scenes in the area postcard racks. When you go out photographing, don’t feel compelled to do the normal, touristy shot. Do something different. Make it yours.
For more information on our workshops, go to Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures.
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Once again, Margo, you and Arnie are an inspiration. I don’t often comment, though I try to check in frequently. Unfortunately, I’ve only been able to participate in one BCPA workshop, however, between that one and your generous stream of images and advice, I continue to grow…and that enables me to share your vision and generosity. As you may know, I’ve begun leading a few workshops of my own and your influence is always present and recognized. I’ll be back at a TBC workshop as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I wanted to end 2011 and kick-off the new year expressing the gratitude so many alumni feel, not only for the skill and vision you and Arnie share, but for your unbounded and contagious enthusiasm for the art of photography.
Happy New Year!
Tom,
What a lovely sentiment to receive on the cusp of the new year!
Arnie and I are always humbled by comments such as yours. It validates what we do, and makes us so glad to hear that others have drawn from the enthusiasm and passion we share for photography.
We do hope to see you back soon.
Thank YOU for taking the time to write.
Take care, as always,
TBC
“When you go out photographing, don’t feel compelled to do the normal, touristy shot. Do something different. Make it yours.”
Best advice I’ve heard concerning travel photography.
Look for the unique image and make it yours. Well said.
I hope you have a great, wonderful, & prosperous New Year.
Pablo,
Thank you! It really applies to all facets of photography. Before we retired from commercial work, top corporations hired us because we kept on delivering the different, eye-catching image. We made it ours while addressing their message. And it applies to people photography, too, as you will see in Part 2.
And thank you for the new year wishes. The same to you, and take care,
TBC