International Center of Photography
Workshop Evaluations

In support of ICP's mission—their dedication to the understanding and appreciation of photography, we believe our Lake Como workshop should reflect both artistic and academic learning goals.

We assess participant progress and evaluate success by focusing on determinable aspects of the workshop (enthusiasm, engaged participation, challenge acceptance, artistic 'Final Presentation' achievements) and questioning the quality of the experience (how did participants react to personalized curriculum, did we observe technical skill progress, how did the photographers respond to critique, did the quality of individual artwork improve daily).

ICP has an aged tradition of seeking anonymous feedback from students. Anonymous comments offer unfiltered truth and show the best evidence of what they learned and how the experience affected them. Their comments also guide us as we attempt to improve this creative workshop, a powerful communication tool for reflecting on our lives.

We've accumulated two decades of valuable feedback and we're proud that many thoughtful suggestions have been incorporated into our unique experience on Lake Como. Here is just a small sampling of photographer evaluations: (The photographs on this page were taken by workshop participants and illustrate the workshop in action.)

What did you like best about this workshop?

• "Everything!"
• "The location is incredible."
• "I can't emphasize enough how much I got out of this workshop."
• "The workshop instruction staff is top notch."
• "The viewpoints and knowledge of all three (faculty members) complemented each other beautifully, and enriched our learning."
• "I enjoyed the serious and companionable photographers."
• "We really did get to explore a beautiful, visually inspiring place far from home."
• "Holly created a supportive and inspiring atmosphere."
• "I loved the split of time between field trips and classroom work."
• "The diversity of staff and students."
• "The setting, enthusiasm of participants, the expertise of the staff."
• "Varenna! And the Villa Cipressi!"
• "The faculty."
• "I loved the day trips."
• "Three things: I learned a lot; I got professional feedback on my work; and the setting was dreamlike in its beauty. The whole experience of this workshop was exciting and pleasurable beyond my expectations—which were considerable to begin with."
• "I loved the exposure to a variety of places in the Como area—each had its own personality. Even the variety of weather was great. Holly did a wonderful job of ‘keeping it together’ and helping us solve problems and exercise our photo talents."
• "I loved every minute of this workshop. As a first-time photography student and DSLR user, every bit of information was invaluable. I would do it again in a heartbeat."
• "I also learned a great deal from some of my fellow students."
• "Receiving a group critique was unnerving and yet so incredibly helpful. Where else can you get such focused, non-biased input? Amazing."
• "The varied places that Holly took us to were all fascinating and fun to photograph."
• "I was extremely happy with the diverse instructors. I've never experienced that anywhere. I loved the individual assignments."
• "I am glad there was room in this workshop for people of such diverse backgrounds. I loved getting professional feedback and I enjoyed the wide range of ages in the group."
• "Holly's leadership was a delight. This is a must do life experience and I'm so glad I did it. I loved it all."
• "Please tell Stuart that I appreciate his good humor, technical help and offering tour guide support in uncharted territory (at least for me) throughout the workshop. You and Stuart were the golden core of the workshop. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your group. I really treasure my experience at Lago di Como in so many ways (on so many different levels)."
• "I can't believe that just one short week ago we were all enjoying the fabulous ambiance of the Villa Cipressi in gorgeous Varenna on amazingly beautiful Lake Como! It was a wonderful experience which I will never forget."

What did you like best about the faculty?

• "Very impressive. Holly, Stuart and Marc know a great deal about their subjects and communicated their knowledge very well."
• "All three of you are exceptional photographers and delightful to work with."
• "Holly is a very patient teacher. She doesn't quit until she knows you're on the right track."
• "Stuart’s technical abilities are incredible. He makes a great model, too."
• "I learned so much from Marc's portrait demonstration. He taught me how to direct people and feel comfortable doing so."
• "Wow! What a group. All three are seriously talented!"
• "Holly, Stuart and Marc had a unique synergy. Each brought something different and equally valuable to the experience."
• "Holly’s interest in how to relate, through photography, to other aspects of life and science, and how to build stories and visual adventures for others to experience had a positive impact."
• "Marc was very patient and generous with his time. He gave up lunch one day to help me edit and problem solve. I'm so grateful."
• "Their combined strengths were impressive and complementary. Those included having two assistants—one with great technical facility and teaching skill; the other bringing perspectives from extensive professional experience."
• "This faculty is truly dedicated. Their passion is obvious and infectious."
• "I tried to download the newest version of Photoshop before I arrived but failed. I thought I would be lost. Stuart took me aside during a break and managed to download it (from Italy) without a problem. He helped me organize my folder structure and it was clear sailing from that point on. I will never forget his patience and generosity."
• "I switched from a Dell to a MacBook Pro just before joining the workshop. I was concerned about the learning curves. Thank goodness for Stuart. He got me through it and now I love my Mac."

How well was this workshop organized?

• "Extremely well."
• "Like they've been doing it for years with great success."
• "Very well organized!"
• "Well organized and ever changing—as should be—according to the weather and needs of the participants.”
• "We never had to wait for the instructors. Every time I came to class early to use the internet, the instructors were already there."
• "The instructor provided excellent advance information, written workflows, stimulating excursions, and a very enjoyable dinner finale. I have art direction experience and I could see someone put a lot of thought and attention to detail into this effort."
• "Each class session and every assignment contributed to student progress. If it rained, there was always a Plan B. But most people loved shooting in the rain anyway. The wet colors were so intense."
• "I loved the mix of class time and excursions. I really feel I accomplished so much in just ten days. I want to come back. I can't believe how energetic I feel."
• "Good balance of lectures, hands-on equipment training, and time for shooting."
• "I appreciated the itinerary schedule printouts, the workflow PDFs, and the visual introductions to various techniques.”
• "Even though the photographic and computer literacy levels among the students varied, Holly and her team kept everyone together. I was impressed."

Please evaluate the Villa Cipressi and Varenna as a site for this workshop. How well did the Villa Cipressi staff perform?

• "A perfect venue!"
• "Varenna and its residents: what a great opportunity for a photographer."
• "I doubt you could ask for a more ideal place to have a photography workshop."
• "There's charm at every turn."
• "The Villa was perfect."
• "This place is great!"
• "Splendid choice. How can you top this?"
• "The staff at the Villa was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and helpful."
• "Excellent staff! Excellent location for this type of course."
• " Superb; the Villa Cipressi as a site and its staff were great."
• "Florence is nice but you need a car to explore Tuscany. Not here. The ferries will take you anywhere. Plus, here you have that glorious lake and mountainscape, and all those fabulous villas and gardens. Absolutely loved it!"
• "The location, facilities, staff—all supported a super fine workshop."
• "A beautiful setting with a wide range of different photographic opportunities, pleasant accommodations, a friendly and helpful staff and a town that’s fun and easy to navigate."
• "To have this location, these gorgeous, historic gardens all ‘mine’ for this workshop was heavenly."
• "I'm going to miss those Villa breakfasts."
• "The Villa Cipressi is one of the most beautiful and enchanting places I’ve ever been in my life, and I have done a lot of traveling."

What do you suggest could improve future workshops of this kind?

• "I have no suggestions--it was perfect."
• "Overall, I loved this workshop. Wouldn't change a thing."
• "Photographers should be advised to come early or stay late, to give themselves more leisure to explore this glorious area."
• "Offer it every year."
• "Stress the benefits of bringing a tripod."
• "Instructors should offer ‘office hours’ to give students more chances to get needed advice. I realize they wouldn't get any sleep."
• "For technical sessions: break up students into small groups based on their experience and expertise."
• "Possibly a division of greater and lesser technical sophistication. But I’m so pleased with the workshop, I’m not even sure about that."
• "Having class time when sun is brightest at midday to allow more free time when light is right."
• "The instructor could e-mail her illustrated digital photo workflows to students before the workshop so they could print them up and bring hard copies."
• "Offer suggestions for good hiking shoes. I didn't know the visit to the mountaintop castle would require a small amout of hiking. I assumed the car could take you directly to the entrance."
• "More time to prepare final presentations. Give us advance notice about using music."
• "I prefer harsher critique, even if I have to meet privately to get it."
• "I realize you can't spread yourselves too thin but I would love more 1-on-1 time with instructors in the field, helping me shoot."
• "Some expectations of participants are unrealistic. Photoshop 1 should be required for all."
• "I would like more group shoots to observe how others approach their craft."
• "Include nuts and bolts of computer preparedness. Software installation should have been accomplished before class begins."
• "Give detailed advice about electrical requirements. I've never been to Italy."
• "I felt rushed to edit my photographs for critique but that taught me to make quick decisions and narrow my focus. I tend to procrastinate on the edit because I don't know how to determine which image is best. In the end, the pressure to edit quickly was a good lesson. I realize now how helpful it was and wouldn't change this approach."

Images:
1 © Anne Foley
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 © Marc Daniels
10 © Margery Craig
12 © Holly Smith Pedlosky
16, 17 © Peg Blum
18 © Marigold Randall
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