Tony Pagliaro
We live in an incredible world full of natural beauty, timeless moments, and stunning human-made vistas. From Santa Cruz to the world beyond, my passion is sharing visions of all those things we sometimes don’t have time to appreciate.
As a self-taught photographer, my artwork is a mix of patience, planning, creative angles, multiple exposures, and hours in the digital darkroom. Each finished piece represents the vibrant memory of a perfect moment.
Living in Santa Cruz County has provided me with a lifetime of inspiration and has led to numerous professional accomplishments. Over the years, my artwork has been featured in galleries, newspapers, magazines, calendars, and private collections around the world.
Above all else, I am eternally grateful for the loving support of my wife and three sons. It was their encouragement all those years ago that led me to begin seriously pursuing “the beauty of the moment,” as I’ve often said.
Often, our busy lives don’t allow us to experience many of these moments… moments that ground us and connect us to something greater than ourselves. Through my art, I strive to connect you, the viewer, to the natural beauty of the world around us.
Along those lines, I would love to connect with YOU! Where do you find the beauty of the moment? What’s your passion? Where can I see some of your favorite photographs?
I hope to hear from you.
~ Tony Pagliaro
Why are we so passionate about the beauty of nature?
Why does a sunrise trigger such a powerful emotion? And why do we turn to nature when we seek peace, quietness, and time to reflect on where we are in life and where we are going from here?
It’s for this reason I chose to be an artist, to use my unique ability to visualize and create stunning images that, like a tuning fork, can bring harmony between you and nature.
For me, a work of art is primarily the product of a person, not of a machine.
For this reason, a photograph printed straight from a single original capture, either film or digital, can be unsatisfying. Such an image represents the output and limits of the camera rather than the expression of my emotions.
To satisfy my creativity, I first create images in my mind.
Whether it’s a landscape or subject, I take the time to study it, for minutes, hours, or sometimes even days… as long as it takes for me to feel and visualize a new and unique expression of my emotions. For example, I might have to be at a certain location at a particular time of the day with just the right light and weather conditions, or it could mean taking multiple captures and combining them into a single image to overcome the exposure limitations of the camera.
Nonetheless, I try to complete as much of the image with the camera, lens, and technical expertise first, then finish the picture with post processing.
On the level of image adjustments, I first adjust the global color balance and the global contrast of the picture to my taste. I then focus on individual colors and work towards making them the exact tonalities that I desire. Similarly, I adjust the contrast so that it reflects the feeling of open, or glowing light, or dark, mysterious shadows according to my visualized image.
On occasion, I may clone out elements that I deem unaesthetic. These items may be unnatural artifacts or anything that may negatively impact the feel or emotion of the final image.
~ Tony Pagliaro
Scotts Valley Art, Beer and Wine Festival
Date: August 19-20, 2023
Click here for more information
Capitola Art and Wine Festival
Date: September 9-10, 2023
Click here for more information
Capitola Village Sip & Stroll
Date: November 12, 2023
Click here for more information and tickets