Photos courtesy of John Pagliuca 

Ever wonder how'd they do that?  John Pagliuca says "It's a matter of taking lots of pictures, then learning to tweak the desired photo using your favorite photo editor."  I recently had a conversation with John about what a novice I was, and I asked him a couple of basic questions on cameras, specifically F-stop and aperture.  His answer was the easiest to understand, in plain english and with an apparent excitement for his art.

 

Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures takes their students into the field for a hands-on learning experience.  Recently they have been holding workshops on the Outer Banks of NC and in Raleigh, NC.  You can visit the web site at www.BCphotoadventures.com.

 

 

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The day starts early on a Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventure and can end late.  Participants are typically out before dawn to photograph in beautiful early-morning light, then spend the middle of the day working on images, making prints, and joining in a group critique. They're out again making pictures in late afternoon and evening light. It's really a total immersion in photography.

The workshops are small, with a maximum participant/teacher ratio of 6:1, so everyone gets a lot of personal attention. Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures differs from many other photography workshops in that the participants are also taught the basics of digital printing and learn how to make prints that match what they see on their monitors.  They print their images during the workshop on an Epson Professional color digital printer.

Barefoot Contessa's motto is, "Create great photos; make great prints."

The name Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures was coined by Margo for tours she led to Alaska, the Southwest, and New England in the 1980s and 1990s.  In 2007, Margo, Arnie, and John joined forces under the Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures name, and began teaching photo workshops in great natural locations such as Arches and Moab in the Southwest for stunning desert scenes; New England for beautiful fall colors; France for an intimate look at vineyards and country life in Burgundy; western Virginia for rushing spring cascades and rare wildflowers; Maine for its lighthouses and craggy coastline; and North Carolina's Outer Banks for their lighthouses, wild dunes and wide ocean vistas.

The three principals are working pros, with decades of experience in both photographing and teaching.  Each brings a different perspective and knowledge to the workshops.

Arnie has been a top photojournalist and corporate photographer for many years; he started his career in Chicago working for LIFE and Time, before turning to commercial work and joining Black Star photo agency.

Margo is a long-time travel, nature, stock, and fine-art photographer.  She and Arnie joined their businesses and work together on commercial and editorial work.  She's also the Contessa behind Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures.  When people call or email Barefoot Contessa, she's the one who answers.

John started in commercial and advertising photography, and worked as a film and video producer/director for 20 years before going back to still photography. He has a strong background in digital printing and color-managed digital workflow, as well as being a fine art photographer and printer.

All are General Members of ASMP, the American Society of Media Photographers. Margo is the current President of the ASMP's North Carolina Chapter, and John is its Vice-President.  John Pagliuca lives in Raleigh, NC, Margo Pinkerton and her husband Arnie Zann live in Hillsborough, NC.

Click the links below for more information on John, Margo, and Arnie.

John Pagliuca:  www.JohnPagliucaProductions.com

Arnie Zann and Margo Pinkerton:  www.ZannPinkertonPhotography.com

Article content courtesy of John Pagliuca