Galleries
Quotable Quotes from Alumni - Private Workshops
Here are a few comments from our alumni. For more, click here.As time permits, we will be adding more quotes.
Margo, Arnie, Thanks again for a wonderful 5 days. It was a truly unique and educational experience. Needless to say the instruction and attention I received was way beyond what I had expected when I signed up for the workshop. Besides the camaraderie and having a lot of fun, I came away with a wealth of knowledge on shooting and processing images. Fusssssy is my new mantra.
... and later ...
The many facets of Virginia enthralled me each day of my workshop with Margo and Arnie. The countryside is filled with streams, waterfalls, bridges, white churches and rolling farmland. The springtime weather varied between sun and bright clouds to rain and dark clouds, inspiring me compose and shoot, again and again. Margo and Arnie's knowledge of the best places to photograph and their encouragement and challenges inspired me to create several of my all-time favorite images. An image I took during this workshop was recently selected in a juried competition and was sold at the exhibition. They compel you to think, work and create an image, not just to take a pretty picture. They push you to become a better photographer, while laughing and having a good time. I have participated in several regular workshops since then with them and look forward joining them again.
~ Steve G., New York
I have had the opportunity to attend numerous photography workshops, and I can say without a doubt that the Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures have proven to be the most effective for me in actually improving my photographic skills.
The double team of Margo and Arnie provides the one-two punch that delivers results. Their interplay and different perspectives has helped me improve my pre-visualization, composition, and impact. Whether it is field work, post processing in Lightroom, or image critique, I found their input and perspectives to be valuable in improving my photographic skills.
~ Cam G., California
Glad you guys made it back home. After a trip to Quebec, it's good to finally be home. I had a blast in CB [Crested Butte]. Great shots!
You guys are the best!
~ Bruce S., Georgia.
Wow! Bob and I had a great time this week, and we both learned a great deal. I think that it was probably the best workshop that I have ever participated in. Of course, having a private session contributed to our experience, but that was probably not the most important factor.
Both of you approached photography and teaching with knowledge, enthusiasm, and encouragement. For the first time in my life, I actually worked slowly and deliberatively in looking at a scene and composing a picture. Then came the hard part. Adjusting the image until it was just right. Looking at the edges of the image, the lines, the point of interest, the focus — all important factors, and all take time. This was the most important lesson that I learned, and hopefully I will retain the routine in the future.
You handled us "old farts" extremely well and laughed with us and not at us. We had a good time! We enjoyed your company.
My hope is that Robin and I will be able to find a time when we can either join one of your regular workshops or work with you privately, possibly with another couple. Robin and I will discuss our options when I get back to Cayman.
I will follow your web site to see what you are up to and to learn from your experiences.
So, I will end with my beginning. Wow!
~ George D., Cayman Islands
Well, simply a wonderful time working with you and Arnie. I learned lots about visualization, ideas on what to look for, shapes and, of course, those wonderful stars. I also enjoyed learning about some of the ins/outs of Lightroom. So all around great job by both of you.
I did get up early yesterday and went to the pier. The tide was ‘up’ or ‘in’ — not sure of the right terminology — but the concrete work was not very visable so did not get the images I wanted. I did end up shooting the pier with the stars in the background and those images turned out pretty good, and with Lightroom, I can bring certain things ‘out’ to capture the image as I saw it.
So many thanks for a wonderful learning experience, and I’m very pleased to have met and worked with both of you. I think Karen now wishes she had gone after I told her about the trip, etc. Maybe next time or a future workshop. I still have Oregon on my list so we may see each other again.
Thanks and I’ll be taking a closer look at your Resources on your website.
~Mike W., Indiana
Many years ago, my close friend, Bob, and I took a private workshop with Margo and Arnie on the North Carolina coast. Thus began what became a wonderful learning experience as well as a life- long friendship. Bob and I had been photographers for many many years, but after working with Margo and Arnie, we realized that there was much to learn. After that experience, we attended a number of workshops because we found them valuable on a number of levels. Visualizing, moving around, realizing that our vision was different from everyone elses’ in the group, critiquing, re-editing, discussing — these activities helped us to become better photographers and better able to appreciate the work of others. Taking a picture requires skill and can be somewhat mechanical. Making a really memorable photograph requires patience, vision, and an artistic sensibility.
There are add ons of equal importance. Breakfasts and happy hours. Hugs and unusual noises (only from Margo). Jokes best forgotten. Sounds too good to be true.
~George D., Florida
One of the best decisions I've ever made as of recent as to book a private workshop with Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures. I was completely impressed with your professionalism, kindness, patience, experience and enthusiasm! Your photographic talents and creations go beyond my expectations which blew me away (sand and all).
I may be quiet at times, but I was absorbing everything we did like a sea sponge. Thank you for giving me the courage to control my camera, instead of my camera controlling me. My favorite tips were cropping, tipping, composing, and lighting in addition to shooting in the various modes and light painting. It's all so amazing! I wish we had a few more days together. Truly. Then there's imaging and managing my photos with Lightroom. I like t, love it, and gotta have it. Actually I've decided to bite the bullet and get the CS4 bundle.
... I was tired on Sunday. Could you tell? Too much fun at dinner and one-too-many glasses of vino. I could have spent all day imaging with you, but we had to head home.
Thanks again for opening my eyes!
~ Pat G., Virginia
I had the great privilege of spending the better part of a week in October with Margo and Arnie during a 2008 private photo workshop in New England. With great eagerness I drove the five hours from New York City, anticipating the sheer pleasure of time off to devote to photography, imaging, and nature.
On my agenda were days of challenge, fun, exploration, and adventure. This was an opportunity to make a complete mess of everything I thought I knew with regards to composition, and then to begin an intense, dynamic reconstruction process ... a chance to update my technical skills (my last instruction was 20 years ago, and yes, I just converted to digital!) ... as well as expand my tool-set to capture my current aesthetic. Of course, we did all of these things and more — scrambling out onto scoured rocks to capture the sky above the river, sitting at the base of a waterfall for as long as it took to capture the swirl of an eddy or the glow of the rocks, discussing the use of one strong subject to anchor a broader landscape. Tasks were meted out, some completed more successfully than others, but all sources of new insight for future photographs. Indeed, I can now feel their presence (one perched on each shoulder) when I start to compose an image, and can hear them gently suggesting alternate angles, framing, and composition ('Had you considered?').
What I could not have anticipated was the warmth, humor, and generosity of spirit that accompanied their guidance. I was immediately adopted into the BCPA family by Margo and Arnie, who exude not only a love for photography and art, but also a personal delight in the growth and achievements of their students. This was an experience beyond any that I could have imagined, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough for anyone wishing to challenge themselves and explore the potential of their photographic vision.
~ Lauren G., New York
I thought I was getting pretty good at shooting landscapes when I met Margo [before Arnie joined in on the workshops]. While respecting my talent, she pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me improve on several fronts:
- First, she taught me to isolate compositions more rigorously and stay focused on what attracted me to the scene in the first place;
- Second, she re-educated me about depth of field, and encouraged me to use it more consciously to eliminate distractions; and
- Third, she pushed me to develop a faster shooting style in order to seize opportunities that won't wait for a lens change, a tripod, or too much thinking.
Unlike other workshops I've attended, Margo provided added value in customized assignments, leads, suggestions for further study, and even a mini-course in commercializing and marketing my work. She expects you to work hard and pushes you to improve (I've never had a tougher, albeit gentle, critic of my work), but what great teacher doesn't? Getting to know Margo, as well as her partner-husband, Arnie Zann, was a treat. I feel like I've tapped into a great resource, and made friends as well.
~ Tom D., Oregon
The Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventure Tour of Alaska was far superior to any tour — guided or self-directed — that I have ever experienced. The planning, logistics, and timing were all impeccable and the weather-influenced alternatives were as viable as the original itinerary! We saw vistas and areas off the beaten track that were so picturesque and unique that the stock photos I got are worth more than the cost of the trip.
The meals were scrumptious; the accommodations were warm and welcoming, and The Barefoot Contessa's informational dialogue was fascinating. We learned things we never thought we'd learn in a lifetime. Margo took us to areas where we saw wildlife in its most natural habitat and shared one-on-one experiences we only dreamed of.
If you appreciate nature in all its glory, enjoy adventure and new experiences, Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures are something you need to put at the top of your "Must-Do" list. I can think of no greater adventure for photographers, nature lovers, or people who want to see what only a handful of humans experience.
~ Lee B., Illinois
