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Travel photos 3: Venice
Take Better Photos

Hints and tips
by Philip Grosset

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Camp san Marco
The best view in Venice? Everyone photographs the Campo San Marco, but nearly everyone does it from ground level or from the balcony of St Mark's. It's always worth searching for different viewpoints, such as this one at the cafeteria on the 1st floor of the Carrer Museum. You can get access without paying to enter the museum itself (although it too is well worth a visit).
Gondola transfer
Gondolier at rest
Try to aim for photos that are based on your own personal observations and feelings. (Of course, I might have had a more interesting photo if the woman had fallen in!) The gondolier on the right having a quiet rest is just the sort of thing you might notice but probably won't appear on the official postcards - although these are always worth examining carefully as they can provide useful ideas.
Ceiling
Avoid the use of flash (it is much better to do without it whenever you can) and you may be able to take unobtrusive pictures like this one of the magnificent trompe-l'oiel ceiling at the Ca' Rezzonica, a recreation of a 17th century Venetian palace - but you'll need to find some sort of firm support for your camera. The unusual composition emphasises the unusual appearance of the ceiling.
Masks
Sweet
Try to capture the feeling of the place by picking out revealing close ups, such as the very typical masks, on the left, that are seen everywhere, or even local delicacies such as persegli al fondo con amaretti, on the right, to be found at Le Bistro de Venise which specialises in local historical dishes (they even have their own website at http://www.bistrotdevenise.com/index-ing.htm).


Rain
You don't have to wait for the sun to come out to take photos. This was what Venice was like for a couple of days while I was there in September -so it all adds to the personal record.


Burano
For bright colors, of course, you'll need a sunny day. This was taken on the highly photogenic island of Burano, about 40 minutes away by boat. Although Burano largely lives on its tourist trade, there is still vigorous local life there, so try to feature local inhabitants, like this man in the foreground whose presence adds depth to the picture.
Liner
If possible, always carry your camera with you because you never know what is going to happen next. Here this great cruise liner completely dwarfed the front at Venice. As it passed, you could see flash guns popping off hopefully all over it - but to take proper photos of a place you really need to spend a lot more time and care there!
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