Venice
(Venezia) really needs no introduction. The Serenissima has been a
fabled destination for centuries. Just the name Venice is enough to
conjure up a host of images, even for those who have not yet set foot in
Italy: gondoliers in striped jerseys, the Rialto and the Bridge of
Sighs, masked balls, golden barges, courtesans in gondolas and crumbling
palaces facing streets made of water. The western world's most famous
figures visited Venice, marveled at the gold mosaics of St Mark's,
admired art in churches, explored the city's maze of canals (or, in
Byron's case, swam in them), and then proceeded to preach Venice's
wonders to those unable to make the journey.
Venice
is a glorious cliché, more romantic, more beautiful and more surprising
than you could expect. No matter how many photographs or films you may
have seen, it is still a jaw-dropping experience seeing Venice's canals
and palaces for the first time. That first cruise down the Grand Canal -
punctuated by exclamations and photography - is one of life's
unforgettable experiences.
For
centuries Venice was a republic of immense power; controlling trade
routes in the Adriatic, and waging successful wars with rival states.
Ruled by a doge, who had his powers controlled by a cabinet, Venice was a
proud and rich republic, known as la Serenissima, the most serene.
Every year the Doge would take part in a symbolic ceremony, the Marriage
of the Sea, to celebrate Venice's mastery over the ocean. Like most
great powers, however, Venice's glory was followed by a decline. La
Serenissima lost her chattels in wars, and the city's trade routes
declined in importance. By the eighteenth century, Venetians was already
seeking profits from the tourist trade, leasing fine palazzi to foreign
travellers.
This
adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic
locations carefully planned for the best light, but to aid you in
mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our
aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not
only go home with images to be proud of, but use your new found skills
to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from
the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities,
you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary
image by using your own creativity.
In
addition, you will become knowledgeable on how to survey the landscape,
utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to
the region and the cultural considerations and challenges of
photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include
individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas and great fun. What
better location to express your creativity than the fairytale setting at
the Carnevale of Venice.