Images of Venice

Beautiful photography of Venice and highly informative posts, let you discover and experience this city in a unique way.

Ian Coulling FRPS, Images of Venice

About. “Images of Venice – Beautiful Photography and Posts”

Beautiful photography of Venice and highly informative posts, let you discover and experience this city in a unique way. See and experience all the elements, colour, texture and detail that characterise this historic city and get a better understanding and appreciation of its history and rich cultural heritage.

Presently, 52 themed galleries boasting more than 900 exhibition-quality images and 250 detailed, illustrated posts serve as a distinctive, non-commercial resource for enthusiasts of Venice and exquisite photography. The site’s dual focus on contemporary presentation and an advertisement-free experience, distinguishes it from the multitude of tourist-oriented or image-centric websites found online. Another aspect is the vast diversity and scope of information accessible.

The primary aim is to share my enthusiasm and knowledge about this extraordinary city, allowing you to swiftly become a “Venice expert.” To enrich the content, my posts are supplemented with relevant internal links, beneficial external links, and more recently; the unique inclusion of selected YouTube videos and original poetry. These components enable a more extensive exploration of the topics discussed in each post.

How to benefit. Images of Venice – Beautiful Photography and Posts”

Planning your trip. Thorough research is essential for a fruitful visit, particularly when time is constrained. The more informed you are about Venice prior to your trip, the more enriching your experience and the more productive your photography will also be. Compile lists of sights you wish to see and the location and type of photograph, you would like to capture. Utilize the available information while traveling or during downtime at your accommodation, particularly if your stay in the city is brief. My detailed and illustrated posts are designed to be comprehensive, providing all the necessary information and serving as an excellent foundation for further exploration and research

Photography. Venice is renowned as one of the world’s most photographed cities, offering boundless opportunities for photography. However, the images commonly found online often feature repetitive subject matter and viewpoints, and frequently appear artificially enhanced. Venice has far more to offer! The diverse array of gallery themes and photography-based posts showcased here; will provide you with both ideas and inspiration to enhance your photography and foster a broader, more personal style.

Successful photography involves elevating your awareness and consciousness. I see my role as “making visible“. One of the aims of this site is to assist you in ‘seeing‘ rather than just ‘looking‘ encouraging a more discerning approach; after all, ‘less‘ can often mean ‘more‘ – more for the imagination. It’s about capturing images that others might overlook. The contrast between your ‘preconceptions‘ of Venice and the ‘perceptions‘ that greet you upon arrival; is what truly ignites the imagination.

Venice is a city characterized by “stone, water, colour, and texture,” all shaped by time, weather, and, pollution (fortunately minimal today). Nestled within its own lagoon, it is also a canvas of constantly shifting direct and reflected light on water, bestowing upon Venice its enchanting allure, cherished by artists, writers, and poets alike.

Contrary to common perceptions about “detail,” I often opt to photograph during the off-season, amidst the wet and damp. When stone meets water, its colours and textures awaken. Indeed, winter visits boast numerous advantages: more affordable travel and lodging, attractions less crowded with minimal queuing, enchanting sea mists shrouding the city, and of course, “acqua alta.” While the latter may be a nuisance to some, it provides unique experiences and remarkable photographic opportunities, as evidenced by my gallery images. In Venice, adapting your photography to both the unpredictable weather and the daily influx of people is essential. Victorian artists and writers, returning after Napoleon’s fall, frequently spoke of Venice’s “duality” – the “superficial” and the “hidden.” For some, the “real” Venice lies “far from the maddening crowds.” My image galleries demonstrate what can be achieved in any weather and lighting conditions, whether in popular tourist spots or the backstreets. I invite you to explore my “Photographing Venice” posts on the blog page.

Why Venice? “Images of Venice – Beautiful Photography and Posts”

I adore Venice for its unparalleled uniqueness; there’s simply nothing else like it in the world. It’s a labyrinth of canals and pathways, emerging from 119 small islands connected by roughly 400 bridges, all seemingly floating in the midst of its own lagoon. In comparison to other European cities, Venice’s historic centre is quite compact, making everything visually accessible. As the city evolved, space became a luxury, leading to tightly packed buildings that also contributed to their stability in a city erected on stakes. Venice’s lagoon setting diminished the necessity for extensive fortifications. The narrow streets enhance one’s attention to detail. Moreover, the blend of pedestrian paths and aquatic transportation allows for swift movement with minimal exhaustion—the pavements are firm, and the bridges, plentiful.

Who could ever imagine, that out a malarial infected swamp with low level islands, mostly around one metre above sea-level; such a Republic would emerge; that has given us a culture of great architecture, art, music and much more. One that survived and thrived for more than five centuries, because of its political, economic and naval prowess; until its slow decline and the eventual fall.

Venice epitomizes the essence of relationships and balance, which is evident even today. Its development is distinguished by the unique interplay of “humanity against nature”; its “triumph over adversity”; “survival over decline”; the close relationship and bond between “the state, church and its people”; its blend of “east and west” and the relationship between “permanence and transience”. This latter relationship, is particularly evident in the street art and advertisements that adorn walls and public utility structures.

What captivates us about Venice is the sense of unparalleled beauty infused with a picturesque sense of decay, creating a romantic ambiance cherished by travelers, writers, poets, and artists for centuries. Additionally, the interplay of direct and reflected light upon the water’s surface is mesmerizing.

Yet, Venice remains a living, vibrant city, grappling with and adapting to the 21st century. Concerns about the future are echoed in contemporary art-world mantras like “changing place – changing time – changing thoughts – changing future” and “adapting for the 21st century.”

Ian Coulling is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (rps.org), awarded in 1985 for his contribution to the field of Pictorial Photography. He is proud to be associated with the world’s most prestigious photographic society; founded in 1853 and granted a Royal Charter in 2004.

Click this link: Access to the complete “Index of Blog Posts”

NEW. The following major festival events have been updated for 2025. (Please note: some festivals maybe still inviting and receiving applications, and therefore may not have yet release their full programs).

The Regatta Storica of Venice – The Vogalonga – The Festa della Sensa – The Festa del Redentore

The Venice Architecture Biennale – The Venice Dance Biennale – The Venice Music Biennale

The Venice Theatre Biennale – The Venice Film Festival – The Venice Art Biennale

RECENT POSTS

The Redentore Church and Restored Gardens. Discover its architectural splendour, then relax in one of the most delightful gardens in Venice. Commonly known as Il Redentore (Church of the Most Holy Redeemer), and dominating the skyline of Guidecca island, Dorsoduro; this 16th century church was designed by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, and was built as a votive church to thank God for the deliverance of the city, from a major outbreak of the plague.

Private Art Galleries of San Marco. In Venice explore lesser known galleries on a walking route from Piazza San Marco to the Academy bridge. A must for art lovers seeking something more intimate and authentic, this walking route offers a unique glimpse into Venice’s thriving and vibrant creative spirit.

The Strada Nova in Venice. The Strada Nova in Venice. This busy thoroughfare in southern Cannaregio, links the Santa Lucia Railway Station to the Rialto Bridge. Formed by unifying older narrow alleys under a modern name, it didn’t exist in Venice’s Serenissima era. Created in the 19th century by the Austrians,

Galleries of the Dorsoduro. Discover Venice’s “Gallery Mile” on a walking route, between the Academy Bridge and the Salute Basilica. A treasure trove for art lovers, the north-eastern side of the Dorsoduro district, offers several renowned public galleries – The Galleria Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Galleria di Palazzo Cini, and finally the Punta della Dogana Art Museum. However, there is a great range of smaller private establishments, that can offer a more intimate or curated feel.

Venice and the Knights of Malta. Originally the Hospitaller, they significantly influenced the city’s maritime strategy, diplomacy, and esoteric traditions. Their shared history is rich and complex, closely linked to the Crusades, Mediterranean trade, and religious patronage. The Order’s members came from various European countries and took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Venice and the Rosecrucians. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the city was a vibrant hub for intellectual and esoteric discourse and played a significant role in the history of the Rosicrucian movement, later influencing the development of local Masonic practices.

Venice and Freemasonry. Discover the origins and rise of Freemasonry in Venice, its symbolism, key figures and influence on the city’s architecture seen today. Venice, a unique city of historical grandeur, intrigue, and secrecy, has long been connected to the enigmatic world of Freemasonry; which has retained a rich tapestry of allegory, symbolism, and references to ancient lore.

Venice and the Knights Templars. The organisation’s activities extended beyond military and economic realms; their influence permeating local culture and architecture.

Ponte delle Tette. Today, this bridge in Venice symbolizes the flourishing sex trade that existed in the 16th century Rialto district of San Polo in particular; emerge as the epicentre of state regulated and controlled prostitution. For a comprehensive overview of the two different classes of sex-workers operating in Venice, please read in conjunction with my post “Prostitutes and Courtesans”.

Venice Carnival 2025-Program of Events. All the information you need about one of the most famous Carnivals in the world. Beautiful costumes and Venetian masks, transform the city in a magical way and reflects the grandeur of Venetian history. This year’s theme is ” Giacomo Casanova” and celebrates the 300th anniversary of this iconic Venetian character. Linked to this post is my comprehensive and fascinating story of his life and times.

Venice – Calendar of Events 2025. With its plethora of festivals, exhibitions and public holidays, the historic city never ceases to amaze. This comprehensive guide has been further expanded to include contemporary annual initiatives, such as the Venice Design Week and the Venice Glass Week. Also included are several significant exhibitions, included as part of the 19th Architectural Biennale, The Cini Foundation and the Peggy Guggenheim collection (all with website links). For the upcoming year of 2025, this useful “early” post gathers together Venice’s main event dates for 2025 (as published, late Dec 2024). The post will be updated, as a few provisional dates remaining are confirmed and more event details becomes available.

Patisseries and Bakeries in Venice. A comprehensive guide to highly recommended patisseries and bakeries in Venice, listed according to each of its six districts. Embark on a mouth-watering journey through Venice’s finest establishments, where each bite tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and pure indulgence.

Public Gardens and Green Spaces of Venice. Escape the crowds, surround yourself with greenery and experience the city from a new perspective. While in Venice, take the time to discover these verdant havens, many of which to many tourists; remain hidden gems.

The Ca’ d’Oro. A Gothic masterpiece and the most celebrated palazzo on the Grand Canal in Venice, housing the “Galleria Giorgio Franchetti”. Also known as Palazzo Santa Sofia, this edifice is among the city’s oldest, dubbed the “golden house” for the gilt and polychrome adornments that once embellished its exterior. It is now renowned for the intricacy of its architectural features, and decorative elements

Photographing Venice – Old Doors and Service Boxes. Capturing images encapsulating time, memories and the beauty of decline. Whether made of wood or metal, these aged door surfaces often become layered over time with paper – posters, stickers, and personal messages; frequently embellished with graffiti.

Photographing Venice – Transforming decaying walls into art. The effects of time, moisture and microorganisms, on its brick and stucco walls. This post is in two parts: 1. An outline of general information about building materials used in Venice, causes of deterioration in walls, restoration efforts and how you can support preservation efforts. 2. A visual feast of selected images, demonstrating these pictorial effects.

The Street Artist “Blub” in Venice. In 2019, the Florentine artist made a mark on the historic city with his small-scale “Paste-Up” works. This post relates his preferred method of working, his artistic intentions and presents a series of my own images of his wonderful artwork; taken over Xmas 2019 in Venice.

Graffiti and Street Art in Venice. A multifaceted phenomenon intertwining history, culture, artistic expression and social commentary. It has served as a unique form of expression and communication, making it an integral part of the city’s identity. This post also showcases a distinctive collection of my favourite modern Graffiti/Street Art images, highlighting both local Venetian and worldwide issues, photographed over the span of four decades. It’s a real visual treat!