Venetian Morning Photo

Photographer’s Note

I have recently returned from a short business trip to Italy, and was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time in Venice. Although I have been there previously, this time I went "armed" with a better camera (Canon 30D) and better photographic knowledge (thanks to what I've learnt from many TE members during the last 12 months).
Obviously Venice needs no introduction, but what I will say is that you can easily be over-whelmed by the emmense beauty of the place, that you forget all you know about photography....hopefully my images will reflect something that I've have managed to apply.
The first thing I remembered was that if you wake up early and get out there, you stand a better chance of capturing an image with better mood, better light and much better colours.
I had not taken the tripod....it was a business trip after all.... so I had to use the nearest rail,wall or bridge as my support whenever the lighting was low.
I looked at some of my images from my last visit to Venice, and I can say that I believe I have done a little better this time round.....see what you think.
With this image I did lighten the foreground gondolas using the Highlights/Shadows option in Photoshop to provide more detail in that area.
By the way, I gave a lot of time to trying to ensure that I had the horizon straight....not easy with the old,leaning lamp post and the angled paving in the foreground....think I got it as close to being correct as I could.
PS. I will post a number of other shots over the next number of days (or weeks!)

wishlist, lrw1966, jhm, apucci, Colombiana, s_lush, LeeLoo, luisafonso has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

eev99 (1198) 2008-10-14 7:46

Hi Grant,

Well thank god for better equipment and a great eye.. That is a wonderful scene you share with us here. the soft pastel colors work very well to create a peaceful mood.

Well done
Yves

rodgerg (24909) 2008-10-14 8:08

Hello Grant,

A typical but still great view from Venice. The design and the colors of these boats are really beautiful and unique, only in Venice. The churh of San Giorgio maggiore in the background is also great.
have a good evening,
Roger

dumbo (4368) 2008-10-14 8:37

Hello Grant,
This photo is like a postcard. I like the boats, that lamp and the beautiful buildings on the background.
Well done!

Regards,
Eino

wishlist (4133) 2008-10-14 13:49

Hello Grant,
a classic view well composed and presented. The soft lighting allowed you to create a wonderful atmosphere which enphasize even more the beauty of this eternal city and its symbols..very well done!
Thanks for sharing it and regards,

Igor

lrw1966 (1632) 2008-10-15 8:41

Grant Hi;

Stunning early morning composition, very wonderful Pov, mood and notes

Congratulations, very nice,
Larry
USA-tfs

Dpbours (220) 2008-10-15 11:35

Hi Grant,

Very nice toning here. A nice trip I guess! I've never been to Venice. Even not to Italy at all.
Haha, I went for 3 days to Barcelona for my work and also on my trip no tripod with me. So I recognize the feeling of not having a tripod with me :-).

Greetings,
Dennis

jhm (83276) 2008-10-16 2:33

Hello Grant,

Soft and pleasant picture, the blue boats care for a nice foreground.
Church towers in background make this picture very well.
Also the lantern to the left is the real eye catcher .
Composition and presentation are pleasant for look it.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.here.

janneman (1236) 2008-10-16 4:42

Lovely shot of Venice!
The boats pointing towards the island with the tower was a good idea.
The lapmpost is just in the right position.
TFS!

ifanik (20542) 2008-10-16 12:05

Hi Grant
Very nice photo with beautiful colors
Congratulation
I like the framming too
Best regards
Nick

Colombiana (2546) 2008-10-16 14:01

Hi Grant,
This morning view is very beautiful and
it has a quite a nice soothing effect as well.
I like the composition and the vertical format
you chose to capture a wide view to include
the lamp, the typical venetian gondolas.
Nicely done Grant!

Regards,
Maryori :)

Greg1949 (8519) 2008-10-17 4:35

Grant, this is an interesting shot. It is good without a doubt but the angles key stoning in at the top seem a bit more than usual to me for an 18mm lens. I am not a PS guru so I would not know if there are fixes for the effect or not. That said the focus is crisp and dead on and the colors are fantastic and the composition is classic. Your gallery is very interesting and has that cultural mix your intro speaks to. This shot is a fine capture.

Greg

Clementi (45101) 2008-10-18 3:15

Ciao Grant,
nice shot,Venice, having all your beauty seen is a very beautiful town, taken in this time with a beautiful light and without the multitude of tourists.
nice job
Giorgio

marcan44 (3195) 2008-10-19 5:49

Ciao Grant,
ne ho viste tante e devo dire da italiano che è difficile fare una foto brutta di Venezia.
Venezia è come una donna molto fotogenica, riesce sempre bene ma tu ci hai aggiunto gran classe con un cielo rosa magnifico.
Bravissimo
Un caro saluto
Mario

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-10-25 4:00

Excellent and impressive capture full of great light, colores and tonality.
i like the whole compo too.

With greetings,
Agnieszka

rbcy1974 (20746) 2008-10-26 12:51

HellO Grant
A classic photo, but very well captured
Beautiful light and great composition, I like the enlongated format.
Cheers
Daniel

polpo56 (8104) 2008-10-28 14:13

Hi Grant,
this is really a good job.
I like atmosphere and light of sunrise.
It is not simple to see Venice without people in the ways.
Ciao
Ludo

jrj (34779) 2008-11-17 4:25

A fine mood of this morning hour Grant and very good with the inclusion of the famous profhiles of the city in the back. Moody, well composed work.

Angshu (34089) 2008-11-21 2:09

Hello Grant
Maybe a classic view, but it's a beauty! The pastel light in the horizon is excellent. Like how the gondolas parked seems to point towards Santa Maria. Good inclusion of the lamp post on the left as well. Maybe a slight tilt towards the right? But a fine shot!
Regards
Angshu

LeeLoo (5236) 2008-12-11 11:20

Dear Grant Parnell!
Wonderful picture.
Nice lightness.
Very nice colors.
Serenissima!
Original shot.
TFS!

Ninello52 (3461) 2008-12-30 7:20

Ciao Grant,
C'è tanta Venezia in questa foto...il mare le gondole l'architettura e...tanta serenità. Molto bella la luce del mattino. Ottima la composizione!
Saluti, Nino.

luisafonso (858) 2009-01-26 3:53

Morning is really the right time to portrait Venice. While the tourists are still in their warm beds. :) I like the softness of your colors. They remind me a painting with pastel colors. The composition is good with the chandelier in the right place.

barrufeto_77 (25935) 2009-02-15 14:39

Hi Grant.

Excellent atmosphere! The soft colours of the background are great!

Rgs, Oscar