From its idyllic canals to its majestic piazzas, Venice offers some spectacular sights with its mesmerizing layers of history, culture, and breathtaking architecture. Naturally I found myself especially drawn to the way light interacted with the city and its historic architecture.
Below I showcase some image highlights and my thoughts while approaching composition and light while exploring Venice.
Saint Mark's Square
I wanted to frame Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile and decided to compose behind the arches as silhouetted subjects passed by. I always want the image to feel engaging and layering often helps with that.
Waiting for the setting sun to fully saturated the scene helps the architecture to stand out. The polished marble floors reflected the colors nicely too.
Details on Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana Facade
The Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, one of Venice's most important historical libraries, boasts a facade rich with intricate details. I wanted to photograph the library's exterior at sunset as the lighting really would accentuate every inch of the building’s rich Renaissance carvings and sculpted figures.
Venice at first light
Wandering the streets at first light are some of the most special moments for photography in Venice and a sure way to experience the best sights in Venice before they become crowded.
I always like to look for pops of color. Angled light at this time helps with contrast thus making colors pop more when they are illuminated.
Campanile di San Marco is seen in the distance.
Basilica Santa Maria della Salute
A hazy atmosphere always adds a level of mystique to any image even at high noon.
Here the iconic 1600’s church is seen from one of Venice’s most popular bridges overlooking the city and the grand canal.
Gondolier in evening light
Searching for the combination of high quality light and an interesting scene is always a challenge but worth the effort when you find it.
Here I found a scene where sunlight pierces through the narrow alleyway, illuminating the calm waters of the canal. The timeless tradition of gondoliers continues amidst the city's waterways.
Morning reflections
Sunlit architecture at first light casts watercolor-like reflections in the canals.
Saint Mark’s Basilica
These mosaics represent eight hundred years of artistic styles as many of these gold-ground mosaics were retouched or remade as artistic tastes changed and damaged mosaics had to be replaced.
Here the golden mosaics inside Saint Mark’s Basilica catch light and spread it throughout, illuminating even the darkest interiors.
Streets at noon
When the light is not as favorable I like to find scenes that work even at high noon.
Here I found the awnings that adorn the windows to the items displayed for sale on the streets below make the scene more intriguing as pops of color catch the eye. Flowers cascade from the walls adding a cheerful splash to the historic buildings and provide contrast to the aged stone and brick facades.
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore at dawn
Composing the scene through the lamp post adds a strong sense of place and shows off the heritage of the location.
Here the church's classic architecture is dimly lit by the early morning light.
Leaning Bell Tower of the Church of Saint George of the Greeks
Looking for unexpected and interesting traits feature greatly in my work and don’t have to be limited to architecture. I’m constantly looking for these unexpected traits in light as well.
Here this distinctive tower, with its slight tilt, rises above the serene canal waters and is lit by the morning light.
Bridge of Sighs
This popular view of the Bridge of Sighs is best visited at dawn to avoid the crowds. I thought I’d approach this scene with a telephoto to compress the scene to highlight both bridges and the church across the lagoon.
As dawn breaks over Venice, the soft morning light illuminates the Bridge of Sighs. This iconic, enclosed bridge connects the Doge's Palace to the Prigioni Nuove, once a prison. Legend has it that prisoners would sigh as they crossed, glimpsing their last view of the beautiful city through its stone-barred windows.
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