Life on the Grand Canal, a photo from Venice, Veneto

Photographer's Note

The photo shows a slice of life on the Grand Canal of Venice. There was a light drizzle, and we were just taking a vaporetto ride when we came across a cluster of gondolas — their occupants, a group of tourists huddled under umbrellas. This is a typical slice of daily life scene of the visitor's Venice, in distinction to a photo I posted featuring the Venetian's Venice.

Venice, the storied city situated in a lagoon off the northeast corner of Italy, is comprised of 117 small islands, 150 canals and 409 bridges. Indeed, the gondolas are its cars, the vaporetti its buses, the canals its roads, and the sweeping S-shaped Grand Canal its major thoroughfare. It would be an understatement to say that it is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities of the world. The immensely creative individuals who called the city home at one time or another include painters, Titian, Bellini, Tintoretto; composer, Vivaldi; astronomer-mathematician, Galileo; lover and general low-life, Cassanova… and for a short time in the early 16th century, the universal genius, Leonardo.

There had been no new bridges built in the last 70 years when in 1996 the contemporary Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, was awarded the commission to build the 409th bridge — a 94-meter (310 ft) long, single-arch bridge — the first bridge in 70 years, and only the fourth bridge spanning the Grand Canal. With an expected price of 5 million Euros, the bridge was to have been completed by 2005. Because of endless vicissitudes, however, the cost of the bridge and its completion date turned out to be a pipe dream — the cost soared to four times the expected, and the bridge was opened in 2008, sans an opening ceremony. Its many admirers described it as “… a carpet of light,” while an army of detractors called it “a whale… a monument to bad administration, and a waste of Venice’s money.” I happen to belong to the former group. For me, the Calatrava Bridge is breath taking in its graceful lines, its glass façades allowing reflection and refraction, depending on how the light hits it. I believe personally that rather than emulate the architectural styles of earlier periods, the Renaissance and Baroque, it is better to build in a contemporary design, and make it harmonious with the setting. I posted a photo of the Calatrava Bridge almost three years ago after touring Venice with my good friend Paolo Luigi Germano.

Highmountains, mcmtanyel, ikeharel, snunney, papagolf21, jhm, photoray, kordinator, Tigerlily, Didi, worldcitizen, pierrefonds, cornejo, jean113, claudeD, ourania, shreya2000 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Highmountains (2674) 2015-08-08 13:59

I have again looked back on my comments I had made in 2012 when you posted the Venetian's Venice.
And of course, the contrast in mood and appearance between the two is amazing.
Lovely photograph of a Gondola in the Grand Canal. Nice to have captured the tourists huddled under their Umbrellas.
Thanks for sharing, Bulent

lousat (111849) 2015-08-08 15:18

Hi Bulent,a classic view from Venice,but it's very rare to see one under the rain.The atmopshere is a bit sad,nt lucky with the weather but a nice opportunity to take an original pic,excellent quality despite the dark light.Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

mcmtanyel (44369) 2015-08-08 17:32

Hello Bülent Bey,
It looks as though your trips to Venice were under cloudy skies. Both this and the photo of Calatrava Bridge are on overcast days. Especially this, it is downright raining. I can understand the spirit of these tourists, they came all the way to Venice, who knows when they'll be there again? So they'll enjoy it whether the weather cooperates or not. If I were a Venetian, I'd stay home and watch the rain drops on my windows.
Regards,
MT

berek (50508) 2015-08-08 22:01

Merhaba Bülent bey,
İtalyanın tadı bir naşka. özellikle Venedik çok etkileyici. çok dengeli bir kompozisyon.
kendinize çok iyi bakın .
Sevgi ve saygılar.
Burak

ikeharel (92834) 2015-08-09 0:33

Even in rainy days, this town offer some of its unique canal scenerris, Bulent.
You managed beautifully inspite the rain, clear sight of the Gondolas tourists, and the architecture of the waterfront.
Have a nice Sunday,
Ike

Tue (59882) 2015-08-09 1:12

Hello Bulent,
Lovely impression of a rainy Venice. It's quite funny to see all the tourist under their umbrellas. The Venetian façades form a beautiful background.
Lars

snunney (124161) 2015-08-09 1:42

Hello Bulent,
Even on a rainy day Venice knows how to present itself well. You have captured the rainy atmosphere very well indeed. I like the crop and the oblique point of view. Well rendered colours and detail.

papagolf21 (132626) 2015-08-09 2:16

Bonjour, cher ami Bulent,
Eh oui, il pleut même à Venise, ce qui donne à cette photographie un effet très particulier (sortant des sentiers battus).
Image très appréciée.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jhm (179434) 2015-08-09 3:39

Dear Bulent,

Reply to my portrait picture: I have learned, the one eye to place in te centre of the picture and the other side to the edge of the picture.
We see truly the water drops fall in the river not the best day for a trip on the rivers from Venice.
Very well composition and lovely presentation.
An excellent depth and perspective picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John.

BWJ (3094) 2015-08-09 18:55

Hello Bulent,
What a shame to be in Venice in the rain. Even so, it is beautiful rain or shine. You captured well the mood of a rainy day with excellent color, light and details. Thank you for the interesting note.
Kind regards,
Betty

ChrisJ (140809) 2015-08-09 23:50

Hello Bülent Bey,

Good sharpness with a soft diffused light thanks to the overcast weather. Excellent framing and composition. Even in the rain Venice still looks beautiful. The people in the gondolas provide a focal point and animate the scene. Tfs.

Karolina999 (0) 2015-08-10 1:30

Dear Batalay,
fina gondolas, fine people, superb background and scenery, good picture.
Thanx for sharing.
Cheeers!!!

Nicou (173860) 2015-08-10 7:15

Hlelo

Venise sous la pluie quelle compo et image quelle vue et captage superbe compo avec les belles maisons en fond superbe ensemble.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

Silvio1953 (176678) 2015-08-10 7:53

Ciao Bulent, classic and lovey composition with gondolas in fascinating Venice, good perspecive, excellent perspective and splendid colors, veru well done my friend, ciao Silvio

rychem (58645) 2015-08-10 21:40

Rainy photos are rare ot TE, you have managed it very well, technically perfect photo and a very nice "street" scene :)
regards Ryszard

photoray (13981) 2015-08-11 14:27

Howdy Bulent,

Fine 'over-cast' Grand Canal traffic jam image, with the detailed architecture lining the waterfront.

And the quadruple bridge cost sounds familar to my California Transportation experiences.

Thanks for sharing,
Cheers,
Ray

kordinator (15497) 2015-08-12 0:27

Dear Bulent
A splendid palace beautifully captured.
Very clear image.
Great pov and dof with sharp details.
Excellent photo job.
Kind regards
Saša

Tigerlily (3379) 2015-08-12 8:53

Hi Bulent,
A very interesting image that I have never encountered before. I love this place, always wanted to visit it at my teenage years after I saw it on TV.
I bought post cards, took photos (film and digital) ... most of them were all blue sky, sunny days. Some of the cards were in fog, but no one was in the rain. They look a bit miserable in the rain...I feel sorry for them, ruined the romantic feeling in my heart..:-D I try to think out a romantic picture in the rain in Venice.. a beautiful lady on your bridge with red umbrella, what do you think of this picture, Professor? :-D
Have a good day!
Regards,
Jasmine

Didi (61503) 2015-08-12 9:15

Hi my friend
Very nice scene
Good point of view on the building
I don't know if the weather was raining or the sun was strong
The trip in a gondola is very expensive
Best regards

worldcitizen (11304) 2015-08-12 13:49

Hello Bulent,
So it's not always sunny in Venice. ;-) There is water all around, but the tourists must still protect themselves from the rain. The umbrellas popping up into the air are amusing. Here we have some traditional sights of Venice but with a bit of a twist. I've seen photos of people standing in the flooded piazza, but I don't think I've seen umbrellas in a gondola before.

pierrefonds (84445) 2015-08-12 16:15

Hi Bulent,

The presence of the people is adding life to the scene. The distance between the gondolas and the buildings is giving depth to the composition. The point of view is showing the details of the buildings. Have a nice dya.

Pierre

chrisnet (23062) 2015-08-14 3:58

Hello Bulent,
The venician façades are really superb, it's a rainy day ad I like the people with the umbrellas on the gondola, well done.
Regards
Christian

mesutilgim (106596) 2015-08-14 14:02

Selam dear Bülent,
Venice, a real treasure chest for photographers. This one is most probably the only one here at TE Showing a rainy Venice !
Perfect pov and layout.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

PS.Bu arada geç de olsa geçirdiğin ameliyat için geçmiş olsun dileklerim !

cornejo (56624) 2015-08-15 11:01

Bulent Hello, very nice picture of this interesting scene of daily life in the Grand Canal, very well captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, light, color and quality. A great job well done, congratulations my friend. Thank you for sharing this interesting work.

Good evening and happy Sunday.
All the best from southern Spain.
Angel.

jean113 (11045) 2015-08-15 12:40

Hello Bulent,an interesting note once again to accompany an interesting picture; your title sums it up nicely.
These poor people trying to shelter from the rain, they look as if they are not enjoying the experience.
Good depth of field, the distinctive Venetian buildings make the perfect backdrop.
Regards Jean.

Matyas (0) 2015-08-17 4:09

Ciao Bulent! Fine gondolas. Smooth people. Wonderful architecture in the background. Good POV and composition. Very good capture. Nice frame. Original picture. Well done!

macjake (84957) 2015-08-20 11:06

Hi Bulent
looks like you had some rain in Venice as well, thats sucks, we encountered rain as well when we were here for 4 days - but just the one day of rain.

I wonder how much they paid for that gondola ride, did they get a discount because of the poor weather? I hope so.

classic on all levels, rain or no rain, gloomy sky or bright sunshine...doesn't matter, love them all.
cheers
craig

claudeD (44184) 2015-08-20 11:41

Hello Bulent,

wonderful daily life picture from amazing Venice which I like very much. Very good composition showing much details and in despite of the poor weather conditions you have done here a very good fotojob. TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

eldancer1 (36343) 2015-08-21 10:15

I like your Venice canal better than the fake one we have in Las Vegas. Great capture especially getting the raindrops hitting the water. Good pov and nice details. Well done, tfs.

Gigidusud (21669) 2015-08-24 2:31

Hello dear Bulent,
A fun tourist scene on the Grand Canal, the weather is not always the appointment. I took almost the same photo in Bruges.
Sincerely,
Gigi

ourania (51103) 2015-09-06 8:44

Hello Bulent,
I like very much how well balanced and natural this scene looks in your composition, how you have frozen it against the iconic, fairytale-like backdrop. The randomness and the colours on the gondolas make stunning contrast with the scenery, its elegant architecture and mild, moody tones. I think that the man in the striped shirt plays an essential role in this composition, standing boldly between the two worlds. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

mkamionka (47017) 2015-09-10 4:35

Hi Bulent,
very funny scene here -the umbrellas add some funny aspect and of course as well some color to this grayish day. The weather was not optimal but the splendid architecture makes up for it. Lovely street (or rather canal) scene.
I had a pleasure to visit this extraordinary town but such a long time ago already...
M

shreya2000 (2809) 2016-03-27 4:04

Hi Atalay,

I find this Venice picture quite interesting and beautiful in your gallery. Really a amazing place to see and visit. Some nice buildings can be seen in the background.

Regards,
joginder