Escaping the crowds and finding images in Venice, Italy

[@edwardferry8247]

I have the Hasselblad X2D 100C and stayed for a couple of weeks. I ended up using my Polaroid SX70, sketchbook, pencils and small paints instead. Canaletto’s The Stonemason's Yard seems to have done for me digitally. It was good to see your images your colour and line work is very painterly, thank you.

[@cashstills]

the colors were gorgeous in that image of the diagonal passageway above the alley you were in 😮‍💨🤌🏽

[@rgarlinyc]

You are absolutely right about getting away from the crowds in tourist places like Venice. And doing so both by waking early and intentionally waking off the main ways. Your pictures here are absolutely gorgeous. As usual.

[@DarioRasi]

Hey Todd! Really enjoyed this video. I´m from Venice, Italy, and it's very interesting to see my city seen through the eyes of different artists. What pushed me to send this comment is the fact that your images are (thank God!) something new and original from what I´ve seen so far. The picture of the big tree on the side of the building for example... I passed by that bridge a million times and never noticed it! Your way of seeing Venice definitely opened my eyes to new details. Thank you for posting it and keep going with your fantastic work. Cheers. Dario.

[@joiab11]

Thank you for this engaging video! I loved the mix of vlogging and teaching.

[@happymystic9800]

Great photographic eye you displayed here 👍 … makes me looking even more forward to going there next January. 😊

[@EsotericNY]

Venice is a photographer's paradise for sure... I was there 2 years ago, oblivious we touched down the day the Venice Film festival started ...water taxis sold out and quite a crowd descended. Logged 24,000 steps on day one (with an R5 + RF 28-70mm f/2 in tow) which was an unexpected workout ...but worth it. Stayed at the Hotel Danieli specifically because it has a rooftop restaurant where some wonderful shots of Venice architecture, the canal, and rooftop 'landscapes' can be captured. Fond memories.

[@JOHNW2228]

Enjoy Venice, my favourite city❤

[@HeadlessChickenTO]

When i use to gonon cruises, i always made it a point to get up early in the morning to grab sunrise photos. There is just something about sunrises and sunsets while at sea thats just magical. And the only people around me are early morning joggers. I've done this a hamdful of times at home now (hard to do when i work 6-7 days a week, full time), and i love it. That golden hour light hitting the tall glass office buildings, the hustle and bustle of urban creatures...love it.

[@kapurar]

Wonderful video. Thank you!

[@stevejarvis186]

Fantastic Todd, look forward to the next part

[@65WZ]

10:45 When I was photographing parts of the old city of Qateef in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, I came across many similar pathways/bridges between houses. One of the stories I heard was: neighbors sometimes get married, and their parents link the two houses. This way, the ladies can casually move from one house to the other with ease. Of course being a conservative community, it was very convenient not having to use the main doors to move between houses. It is very common with some families, that newly weds live with their parents, until they are financially capable (different culture 😊).

[@fritzgeiger8603]

As always you have such a keen eye for the details and composition that makes a diff from a really nice shot to something spectacular. All the while vacationing with your wife and kids. Sometimes I find that is the hardest part of the trip. I have more photos of my family and friends from behind because I want to shoot a scene and they are done with the artist and walk on to our destination. Exploring solo is the best.

[@peterbuitelaar8543]

Venice is still a photographers paradise, I went, again, in March 2024 which is less annoying, not to hot and less tourist. Unfortunately still some ongoing construction on the San Marco Square but not too many people especially during the week. I didn't find it too expensive compared to Amsterdam (the city I live) and eat in the restaurants were Italian families are eating.

[@tomp.7908]

great video and great photos.

[@billbaker4970]

I know just what you mean Todd I did the same thing in Savannah a while back. Love your videos keep them coming.

[@PaulNewberyPhotography]

Fantastic video, although I slightly biased Venice is my favourite city. It is very easy to avoid the worst of the crowds. We always avoid st marks square, Rialto and Academia bridges between 9 am and 6pm. We always end up in the quieter areas like the ghetto or Dorsoduro

[@jbthementor4905]

I love your content. Keep it coming .

[@michaeljohannsen4872]

Good Morning and welcome (again) to Europe. If you’re coming to Vienna please say hello ❤

[@TSGEnt]

You just gave me a look at Venice. Thank you! I've been to Italy a couple of times. Rome, Frascati, Grottoferata, Rocca di Pappa, up to Florence. Didn't make it to Venice. Lovely photos btw. The closing shot was very nice for sure.

[@danienelphoto]

Venice must be an architectural photographer's nightmare! Getting those verticals vertical 😅. I saw the same thing in Amsterdam. Great video. And how true: I shoot all this great video content for images that aren't good, and nothing for my favourites.

[@konstantinborus5458]

I had a similar experience in Barcelona. And it was a siesta time in vicinity of La Rambla. Completely empty streets with occasional people here and there. I had a great time. Thank you for sharing your experience in Venice.

[@josephasghar]

It’s astonishing how little you have to travel off the beaten track in Venice in order to find beautiful and authentic places.

[@Joshua_McDonough_Photography]

I was just there a month ago....24hrs....woke up the next morning and shot at sunrise. Amazing! The sky was horrible though...lol. But it was peaceful and empty!! I was so surprised...

[@bencompson]

Modern Venice is a very misunderstood city. I'm just a tourist and I've only been twice, so I certainly can make any claims to understand it. But I have learned a few important things about Venice that make it worth the trip. First, the object of the trip shouldn't be to see the Doge's Palace or St. Marks or ride in a gondola. Sure, do those things if you have time. But the object of the trip should be to _be_ in Venice. There is nowhere like it in the world. As you say, walk, get off the beaten path, _experience_ the city not just its sites. Second, go in the off season. We went in late November. Walked into St. Mark's Cathedral with no line. Maybe 20 people in there. Got the roof pass and we were up there alone. The Christmas lights were up. Some days were beautiful. Other days were cold and rainy. Everyday was still magical. Fog, rain and early winter light make for great photos. I would not hesitate to go in January or February. Third, stay a while. It is a small place but we stayed a week and did not get bored at all. I would not hesitate to stay a week again. It is a photographer's paradise. Lots of people find Venice to be crowded, garish, smelly and to have bad food. Those are usually the folks that get off a cruise ship for a few hours and only see St. Marks and the Rialto. They have missed the true beauty and charm of the place.

[@ghostofgw7781]

Everytime i'm in Venice as a painter I live in Cannaregio district where Venetian lives.

[@800iso]

Thank you Todd for the great video. I will be going to Venice myself in October with the GFX100SII. Did you feel constrained in your photography with the GF32-64mm? Or is enough as a single lens for this trip ? Best Regards, Patrice

[@davidmantripp]

Please, please, PLEASE keep it to yourself!!! Oh. Too late.

[@snowhite1qazse4]

I visited your blogpost and check the photos. Pictures are overly sharpen or texturized it hurts my eyes. Don't over sharpen the images it looks so digital and unnatural

[@kemerthomson]

Hmmm. Looking closely, I don’t see any signs of sharpening artifacts, or contrast grain. Perhaps the screen you are viewing the images on is too low a resolution, or too bright? Or, maybe you just don’t like his processing style, in which case there are plenty of other photographers to enjoy.

[@snowhite1qazse4]

@@kemerthomson im using VIEWSONIC Colorpro 32. Pretty sure not my monitor. Maybe I dont like the editing. It hurts my eye on 4k monitor which shows superb details and sharpness

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Well, you got me to take look before I complain about the complainer without giving a link to their photography. And I find no complaints, except I wasn’t in those locations myself. Will be waiting for the link to your website.

[@petermcginty3636]

Todd's work is great but, if it is not to your liking, there are many places on the internet where you will find more pleasing content.

[@richardzelinka9411]

Frankly, I find lots of stuff, including TV shows, viewed in 4K to be oversaturated looking and too "sharp". I know people love 4K but sitting a couple of feet from a big 4K screen doesn't make for a "natural" view of anything IMO.

[@kevinscotton]

Hey Todd 🤓 I just found your channel today, this is really awesome. If you’re interested in hearing some respectful constructive criticism that might help your channel appeal to more viewers, please let me know! I have 2 talking points that would make interesting conversation. If not, you’ve still gained a new viewer in me 🫡