Romantic Venice

Venice is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A unique floating city that has inspired artists for centuries, it continues to enchant all who visit to this day. An improbable city; Venice is a truly remarkable feat of engineering built on marsh, mud and silt. A labyrinth of canals and winding streets, it’s heart is the iconic Grand Canal, overlooked by elegant palazzi.

On this photography workshop, we’ll be photographing some of the most well known viewpoints but also exploring some lesser known gems away from the tourists. Photographic opportunities abound here, from the grandeur of Piazza San Marco and the exquisitely beautiful Rialto Bridge, to hidden atmospheric corners and secluded back streets. Visiting out of season not only means the city is quieter but provides us with a chance of mist and some moody conditions.

It’s not hard to be seduced by this fascinating, historical city with its elegant architecture and beautiful bridges. From bobbing gondolas and colourful reflections in the canals to the beguiling views from the Ponte dell’Accademia towards Santa Maria della Salute, there is no shortage of inspiration here.

To enable us to explore fully, we will be travelling around Venice mostly on foot, starting early each day to get the best of the light and to capture the atmosphere of this fascinating, beautiful city. We’ll also be venturing out in the evenings when the city takes on an aura of mystery that simply must be experienced. After our sunset shoots we will be experiencing the some delicious local Italian cuisine and wine in one of the many Trattorias.

Incorporated into this four day photography workshop will be a trip to the lovely island of Burano. Famous for its hand-made lace and colourful fishermans houses, countless images are waiting to be captured here.

Our base here is Hotel Saturnia; a four-star superior hotel that enjoys a strategic position, nestled in the heart of Venice and just a stone’s throw from Piazza San Marco.  Being partly a 14th Century palace in the unique Venetian style, it offers a unique atmosphere.

We will be also be taking a trip to the lesser known island of Pellestrina, known primarily for its fishing industry. Here, a number of stilted fishing huts in the Venetian lagoon provide for very photogenic subjects. We will be experimenting with long exposures here using ND filters, as well as creating some minimalist images which can often work very well in black and white.

Opportunities for street photography also abound here with the wonderfully atmospheric square and old streets of Venice providing the perfect stage. We’ll be taking you to places which lend themselves particularly to this genre, exploring the use of light and how to tell a story, as well as showing you appropriate camera settings and techniques for successful street photography.