italy Archives - Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

The Best Photography Locations in Venice, Italy

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 01:20:04 +0000

Your guide to the Best Photo Spots in Venice Want to know where to take good photos in Venice? Scroll down to read this guide which lists all the best photography spots in this photogenic canal city. Venice floods the imagination with an atmosphere of creative nautical wonder. It’s a city of incredible architecture built solely on water where cars are replaced with teak boats and gondolas. A labyrinth of colourful canals weaves its way through islands joined by romantic little bridges and open squares play classical music that echoes between Gothic palaces. This Italian gem has my heart and it’s my favourite city in the world to photograph. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during Carnival (see photos from my trip here) or if you’ve got Venice lined up as one of your upcoming destinations then this Location Scout is for you. Below you’ll find a list of the best six locations to capture this romantic Italian city along with a few little extras to test out if you’ve got time. Here’s a map to get started that shows an ideal walking path that will get you to everywhere listed in this guide… Venice Photography Locations #1 St...

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Top 10 Places to Photograph Sunset

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 00:00:49 +0000

Where are the best Places to Photograph Sunset? As the day comes to and end and the sky erupts into a palette of pinks, oranges and reds you want to be in the right spot at the right time to capture the perfect sunset that completes your travel album. While not every sunset is going to be a photographers dream, the golden hour is beautiful regardless and I’ve put together this list of my top ten favourite locations to photograph the setting sun around the world… From Iceland to Australia, this list is a collection of images I’ve personally taken in these locations, I know there are many, many more places that could be included. If you’ve got recommendation for sunset photo locations, please share your spot in the comments below, you’re more than welcome to link to your photos too! #10 Marrakech, Morocco Dusty desert sands and red ochre buildings make Marrakech an easy inclusion for this list. Combining the colours of the city with the sky at sunset blends together the perfect portrayal of magical Morocco. You’ll find most riads (traditional hotels) have private rooftop terraces from where you can photograph sunset over the city or if you’re...

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The most colourful and well laundered village in Europe

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 07:01:30 +0000

Burano is like a rainbow lollipop of Italian goodness. A short ferry (Vaporetti) ride from Venice, Italy, this little gem sits proudly with such a distinctive appearance and joyful vibe that a visit is essential if you’re in the area. Stepping off the Vaporetti, the first thing I noticed wasn’t the colours, the boats or the canals, it was the smell of laundry so strong I couldn’t resist sniffing my way to the source. Following the scent I turned a corner and before me appeared a giant set of white linen sheets flapping in the wind and strung high across the street. As the sheets blew with a gust they revealed the entrance to a canal lined with coloured facades of blue, purple, red, yellow, green…then every shade in between. It was a laundry powder advertisement happening right in front of my eyes. I had come to Burano for the colours but was instantly taken by the laundry. Being a tad obsessed with colour and symmetry as I wandered the streets I noticed that almost every single home was hanging laundry from their window sills in that picture postcard kind of way. The homes appear to colour code their laundry...

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Venice Carnival Photographs – Canals and Celebrations

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 21:31:34 +0000

Venice is one of the best cities you can visit as a photographer. The colours and charm, the canals and mystery, not to mention the gondolas, restaurants and character filled squares. So many elements make up this incredible Italian city and all are just waiting to be photographed. Each year in late January to early February you can take all of those elements and mix in a little magic. People in elaborate costumes and extravagant masks roam the streets often posing on bridges or beside the gondolas so photographers can snap those iconic shots. Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) is an annual festival and it’s a great opportunity to capture the city and it’s traditions. Carnival is currently happening until February 9th so if you happen to be nearby, be sure to take a peek! Most of the photo opportunities happen in and around St Marks Square with scheduled performances, parades and of course the grand evening balls. The events however are no secret to photographers so if you stumble upon a photogenic scene during the festivities, you’ll no doubt be joined be a paparazzi squad. To avoid the crowds try and head out at sunrise to capture the early fog rising in...

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Views of Vernazza – Photographing the Cinque Terre

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 21:38:57 +0000

Looking at this colourful fishing village on the Italian coast today you would never believe that four years ago it was buried four metres deep in mud. Torrential rain in October 2011 caused flash flooding and mudslides that left the town covered with debris and in a state of emergency. Today however Vernazza is back, and sparkling as bright as ever. One of the most traditional fishing villages along the Mediterranean Coast, Vernazza is a must see when visiting the Cinque Terre. Photo opportunities are endless with hikes and walking trails leading to view points that gaze upon the village and sea below. Be sure to schedule an entire day here so you can photograph the sunlight changing the rainbow of colourful facades displayed throughout the village. Once the sun sets the harbour becomes a dimly lit scene of reflections with the port side atmosphere alive as al fresco dining steals the attention from the fishing boats that bob gently in the calm sea. Here is a little collection of images to inspire your next holiday to this incredibly photogenic region of Italy…

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Manarola, Cinque Terre: Photography Location Guide

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:13:18 +0000

Where to take the Best Photos in Manarola, Cinque Terre A rainbow of colourful buildings look out over the Mediterranean Sea as they sit perched high on rocky cliffs. It’s one of the most iconic villages of Italy, photographed by millions of tourists each year. Manarola is a coastal photography overload of opportunity on the Cinque Terre. It’s not hard to see why people flock here! This is one of those unique places in the world that takes your breath away. Finding the location to take the iconic image isn’t too difficult, it’s simply a matter of following the path around the port and looking back. If you’re like me, you like a little surprise so try this…walk around the path without looking back until you’re nearly at the end…then take a peek. It’s definitely a wow postcard moment! If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Manarola, here are some of the best photography locations I found and recommend for your trip… Photo Locations in Manarola #1 The Manarola Port It’s no secret the village of Manarola is best seen from the sea, but why not get in and take photos from the water!? Being in the water adds another...

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Riomaggiore, Italy: The First Stop

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 10:05:56 +0000

Arriving into Riomaggiore by train, my head was stuck to the window hoping for a glance at the glistening sea along the coast of Cinque Terre. The nine minute journey from La Spezia I soon found however is 96% dark tunnel. The four percent of scenic views is shared 3% with the suburbs of La Spezia and 1% when you are smacked in the face by the Mediterranean Sea when you arrive at the platform in Riomaggiore. The build-up of anticipation only adds to the impact of this dramatic coastline which barely needs an introduction. I’ll be the first to admit to squealing a little (there may have been some jumping involved too) with excitement when the train slowed and the sea appeared. Cinque Terre is visited year round by crowds of tourists stepping off boats, yachts and like me, the train. The best part though is there are miles of photo worthy coastline to explore so you can find your own little part of paradise and escape the day trippers. For me, Riomaggiore early in the morning was bliss. At 7am the streets were empty, the smell of seafood and salt gently wafted through the air and the little...

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Your Guide to the Best Photography Locations in Florence, Italy

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 06:28:38 +0000

Florence Photography Locations Your guide to finding the best vantage points and photo spots in Florence… Terracotta roof tops, hidden courtyards and streets alive with historical features. Florence is a city to get lost in with your camera. Roam under the Tuscan sun and soak up the Italian culture in the city where bicycles and motorbikes are more popular than cars. Below is a little guide and map to the best photography locations in Florence for your next visit… Florence Photography Locations #1 Fiume Arno (River Arno) Weaving its way through the centre of Florence, the river is alive with photography opportunities. Rowers carve along the waterway creating sparkles of sunshine on the water surface. If the conditions are nice and still you’ll find loads of reflection possibilities around dusk with colourful facades doubling up in the river. Best for: Reflections and creative angles of the facades of Florence. (Learn how to creatively use reflections here) #2 The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore – The Duomo Climbing to the top of cathedrals in Europe always offer unbeatable views over the cities below. The Duomo of Florence however goes one step further. You are barely restricted at the top and have...

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Weekend Wanderlust: Photographing Siena in Three Hours

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 08:20:21 +0000

Pretty doesn’t begin to describe the Tuscan town of Siena. Perched on top of a hill overlooking rolling green fields with the Tuscan sun glowing down upon it, this Italian wonder is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Once you visit it’s easy to understand why. The medieval architecture, extravagant cathedrals and terraced houses that cascade down the hill are a dream to photograph. The atmosphere conjured up within the Piazza del Campo and along the winding streets almost says a welcoming ‘Ciao’ as you wander around. Colourful laundry hangs from window sills and cobble stoned pavements lead the way to historic corners of country charm. I visited Siena on a whim and jumped off my train to Florence to quickly explore for three hours with my camera. I don’t recommend this at all though…as soon as I saw the skyline of Siena I knew I needed a few days to explore and capture the many magical offerings. Be sure to give yourself at least a weekend to soak it all up! The town is relatively easy to explore if like me you are visiting on a tight schedule just be sure to have some idea of what you want to...

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Top 15 Destinations of 2014

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 06:17:06 +0000

Travel is a funny thing. It’s addictive, exciting, insightful, exhausting, empowering and one of the best things you can experience in a lifetime. Having the opportunity to see another part of the world opens your eyes to cultures different from your own, to a lifestyle you never dreamt of and scenes that take your breath away. Whether it’s down the road or across the world, exploring new destinations is a big part of personal growth and one of the main reasons I created The Wandering Lens. I would love to have even just a little part of encouraging people to go on adventures, take a flight and go somewhere you’ve never been before. In 2014 I photographed in some amazing destinations and for the past few days over on Instagram I’ve been counting down my top 15 locations with a favourite photo from that special spot. Looking back over the thousands if not millions of photographs my little camera has taken this year brings back the excitement of so many amazing moments, some where standing on top of mountains, others were standing on cobblestoned streets and the rest were under the sea. Here are my top 15 destinations for 2014, each...

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Weekend Wanderlust: Verona, Italy

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 08:00:44 +0000

If you find yourself in Italy, don’t skip Verona. Even if it’s just an overnight stop this gem is well worth the visit just to sit with your legs dangling over the walls of Piazzale Castel San Pietro and photograph as the sun sets over the entire city. Pretty little Verona holds it’s own amongst the big nearby names of Venice and Florence when it comes to romance, drama and medieval architecture. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet remains the cities hallmark but just as loved up are the streets filled with fresh flowers blooming out of their tin buckets and the flowing Adige River which cascades through the city under bridges. The city is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Centre with it’s inclusion due to “Verona being an outstanding example of a town that has developed progressively and uninterruptedly over two thousand years, incorporating artistic elements of the highest quality from each succeeding period.” Here are some photographs to inspire your next visit to Verona, Italy!

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Location Scout: Rome, Italy

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 06:58:00 +0000

With an air of history and buildings that house stories of days gone by, Rome has had my heart since the very first day I got lost in its cobble stoned streets. From a photographer’s perspective, the warm afternoon light that shines upon Rome’s cathedral dome’s is akin to gold and when it seeps between facades gently highlighting the cracked walls and window sills overflowing with flower pots it’s utter perfection. This edition of Location Scout showcases my top five photography locations in Rome, how to find them and when is best to shoot there. I stand by the ‘get wonderfully lost’ art of travel however if you can wander your way to these locations around the suggested times, fingers crossed you’ll have some pretty magical lighting for your photographs. St Peter’s Square, Vatican City Now I’m not religious in any way but there is something that draws me toward St Peter’s Basilica every time I visit Rome. Technically it’s in another country, Vatican City, and while during the day there are too many tourists to count let alone attempt a clear photo, by night it’s a different story. Wander here after dusk and witness the glowing Basilica with hardly...

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