Venice Carnival Photography Workshops 2020

Carnival in Venice

This year the Venice Carnival will begin on Saturday, 8 February and end Tuesday, 25 February.

The Venice Carnival is the most internationally known festival celebrated in Venice, Italy, as well as being one of the oldest. This congregation of masked people, called Venice Carnival, began in the 15th century, but the tradition can be traced back to the beginning of the 14th Century! During those years one of the first laws made by the Serenissima was that masks cannot be used around the city at night. Later, Venice Carnival attracted foreigners - including princes - from all over Europe, who came to enjoy the wild festivities while spending fortunes.

2012 Venice Carnival Atmosphere

During the ten days of Carnival leading up to Mardi Gras, Venice is a hive of activity and entertainment, from improvised street entertainment to performances put on by the organizers. A central idea is chosen each year that is taken from various cultural or show-biz themes. Saint Mark’s Square remains the heart of Carnival, with its huge stage, although other events take place throughout the city, helping to avoid an excessive build-up of people in pedestrianized Venice.

During this period we will offer a Carnival Photo Walks where during the first hours we will take pictures of the Masks and Costumes in St Mark’s Square and then we will head after a coffee break for the Venice Tour. 4h Tour Price is €400 Max 3 people or 2 adults + 2 Teens  – Extra persons MAX 2  € 70 per person.

FAQ Portraits during a Venice Photo Walk

Behind a nearly negative feedback on Tripadvisor …I got close to get my very first negative feedback after 2 years…and 138 excellent comments!

Dmitriy and his wife, a lovely couple from Russia, took a photo walk, before the meeting we agreed about a Gondola Portrait Photo Walk then due to being a bit late in the day I told them would have been a  Normal Photo Walk and I would have taken few photos….and charged them accordingly. Final results…and rightly so… he was not too happy with the pictures on the other side I knew I had just “taken” some informal pics so was happy with my work.

In some way apart the stress for me and Dmitriy, it was good for me because it teach  me a few more things about this kind of  portraits during a photo walk or a gondola ride

So let’s try to wrap up  some ideas for me and my future guest…

- I have removed the Portrait add on from the Photo Walks. Was far too risky and iffy. I will be more than happy to take for free a few snaps with your camera during a Photo walk. Just ask

Then….few words of advice if you are planning to have your photo taken ….

• This is not the right service if you want the pictures to be a memorable lifetime event. Does not sobstitute  a wedding or engagement photography session either!
• Try to listen to the photographer if he tells you that light is not particularly nice at that time of the day
• Properly groomed and nice hair go a long way
• Wear  smart clothes and nice shoes…do not wear shorts or tennis shoes
• Smile and look at the camera ….at least few times
• A photographer is not  a magician…..if  I look like Danny DeVito…. in pictures I will not be George Clooney …no matter the photographer I used
• Please remember that a mini portrait session during a Gondola or a Photo Walk will never be like a full portrait session in terms of equipment, lights, time …but also price!!  Check here  for my Portraits Sessions
• Check and then check again my portfolio and my style. If you do not like 100% my style it is very unlikely you will like your pictures….there is no if or but… Ask me for details of other colleagues.
• If you are unhappy talk with the photographer, explain the problem.
• During a session I will take may be 150-250 frames but you will ONLY get an edited version with between 15 to 25 images depends on the package you have chosen . You will never get ALL the shots or the RAW (Negative files)

Keeping it Fun! 

A good expression on every face is the very heart of the family portrait. Organize everything before your session so that you do not feel hurried and hassled. This will ensure good expressions!

Clothing

I like to design family or couple portraits with a coordinated color scheme. Keep this in mind when you choose your wardrobe. You do not have to be matchy-matchy, but colors should compliment each other. Usually, I recommend warm-toned clothing for your family portrait. We suggest Black (always flattering ), ‘ Navy Blue, Forest Green, and Burgundy Red, our favorite color. Solid white shirts or pants will emphasize the clothing and not the person. In harsh light white clothing can create a long list of avoidable issues. So, our recommendation is to limit solid white clothing if you can. Yes, Levi’s are fine.

Look for Pose Inspiration

I often try to find poses in magazines or online but send me ideas of images you have seen before abd that you like.

Think Action

A picture of a couple with  faces side-by-side can be nice, but even a beautiful image can be a bit boring if it is static. I will try to incorporate action into your portrait. Please remeber to try to engage in some action

Tell a Story

Powerful images tell stories. Help me in telling how you as a couple normally interact with one another!  Are you serious and very deep/romantic? Or  constantly giggling and playful?

 Get intimate

A quiet moment in a hug, or a soft kiss can be the perfect image to capture a relationship.

Photo By: Marco Secchi

Photo By: Marco Secchi 2012

Photo By: Marco Secchi 2012

Few Links

How to tell what to wear

Iphone photo walk and workshop

 Today, like it or not, two most commonly used cameras on photo sharing site Flickr are the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4.

While more serious DSLRs from Canon and Nikon make up the rest of the top five cameras listed it is Apple’s iPhones that are clearly the most used cameras in the world right now—something that doesn’t look like changing any time soon. With each new iPhone release, improvements in both cameras are included as standard and over the last two years we’ve seen an amazing array of photography apps released. Along with these developments there has been an increased amount of iPhone-related questions, so I thought it might be time for a iPhone Venice Photo Walk.

The best camera is the one that you have in your pocket or your purse; the one you can pull out in a restaurant and use to photograph your lunch; the one that is readily available when you catch up with friends, when you’re walking your dog, when you’re on holidays, when you’re feeling spontaneous. And these days, if you have a phone, you have that camera. This Photo Walk will show you how to make the most of that mobility. Mobile photography, iPhoneography, or phone photography—it doesn’t matter what you call it, what matters is that it’s a real and important form of photography. The photos you take on your mobile phone are as valuable as the ones taken on your DSLR or rangefinder. They are valuable because you have captured a photo that would not otherwise exist. While mobile photography as a practice and genre certainly encompasses the range of devices available on the market, this photo walk focuses on the iPhone. The iPhone remains the most popular mobile camera device, and supports the most comprehensive photo app infrastructure. However, people using other devices will be able to benefit from the techniques and concepts described in this book. Most of you will already be taking photos on the iPhone, using your own combination of apps,processes, and filters to produce interesting images. What this short workshop will help you do is use your iPhone to create beautiful, professional looking photographs. It will equip you with the skills to take control of the iPhone, rather than rely on its auto functions. It will give you the confidence to capture the shot, wherever you are, day or night.

Once you have the shot, the book will help you gain control over the editing process, and then show you how to share your images online with your audience.

;-)

A 2 1/2 h walk around Venice taking pictures with your iphone/ipad (Androids are welcome )discovering landmarks and hidden areas of Venice. Talking about composition, apps and how to use them to get great pics from your iphone and  bring back home perfect memories of you and your loved. Special introductory offer $ 190. Max 2 people or 2 adults + 2 Teens.

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Roula and the Girls, portraits in Venice

Roula, Christina and Nicole an amazing gang around Venice for few portraits, fun and a Spritz ;-)

Nicole on Medium Format

Greg and Mary Catherine Portrait session in Venice

Very hot day when I met with Greg and Mary Catherine for a portrait session in Venice.A really friendly and fun to work with couple, hope to see them again if they come to Venice for a longer stay!

My New Camera ...Diana F+

 Won nearly  £50 at the National Lottery Saturday draw and decided to reinvest the money in a new camera. The lightweight plastic Diana F Plus, originally produced in Japan in the 60s, has three different settings, color filters, and a pinhole option to experiment with. It’s known for producing vignetting, and also comes with a powerful flash and tripod capabilities, which will be useful for nighttime shots on the boardwalk. I love the element of surprise associated with cameras like these. The result is so unpredictable and dreamlike. I feel like a kid on Christmas....cannot wait to get it through the post!

20 Great Things to do in Venice 12/20 – Tour of Venice

A Venice tour has been a sought-after experience since the golden age of travel, when people set off on Grand Tours of the European continent. Its lasting allure is a testament to just how unique and unforgettable Venice is - as you look for a Venice tour to suit you, make sure it includes these elements:In addition to providing a deeper experience of the most famous sights, allows you to relax and enjoy your surroundings without the stress of needing to arrange all the varied elements of your trip. And in a city as labyrinthine as Venice, it can help to have a little added guidance so that exploring on your own is truly a pleasant experience.* Art. Venice is a work of art in its own right, but the visual delights ensconced within the city's many museums should not be missed. You'll find plenty of classical treasures, as in the collection at the palazzo Ca'Rezzonico, but the Venetian art scene is as welcoming to modernity as it is to classicism - as evidenced by the Venice Biennale festival. A Venice Tour allows you to see works that run the gamut of styles and periods in the famous Peggy Guggenheim collection.

* Architecture. The fading grandeur of Venice's canal houses makes for an intriguing atmosphere everywhere you go in the city, but there are also some standout structures that shouldn't be missed. Perhaps foremost among them is the Basilica di San Marco, which is beautiful outside and nothing short of breathtaking inside. San Marco's glittering Byzantine mosaics bring Venice's history to life in stunning visuals. Also on the docket should be the legendary Bridge of Sighs and the marble halls of the Scuola Grand di San Rocco, decorated by one of Venice's most famous residents, Tintoretto.

* Wine. Italy and wine production are inextricably linked - and for good reason. On your Venice tour, you have a unique opportunity to taste the lighter side (in color, not taste) of Italy's wines. Tauck's Culturious experience takes you to visit makers of pinot grigio, Prosecco and grappa in the Veneto region, giving you insight into the cultivation, production and enjoyment of these white-grape-based beverages.

* Food. The food culture of Italy is incredibly varied and often fiercely regional. A well-planned Venice tour takes you to exceptional trattorias and cafes where the splendors of Venetian cuisine - particularly its seafood - are yours for the tasting. And don't miss the opportunity to stroll through the city's fresh food markets to see the quality and diversity of ingredients used in local dishes.

One of the Tour I recommend is here

...on Venetians Gondoliers and why I decided not to work with them.....

Gondola rides are a must for every tourist visiting Venice. However, there are two main guidelines that one should keep in mind: if you find it too expensive, don’t go through with it, and if you think the price isn’t too steep, make sure you understood what the gondolier said!Venice has official rates for gondola rides, and the standard cost per boat not per person is €80 for a 40-minute ride. Exceeding that time will merit €40 per 20 minutes. At night, especially after 7pm, prices can reach €100 for 40 minutes. A gondola can carry up to six people.

These are the official prices.....and I am pretty sure there are honest gondoliers...that do apply them. Unfortunately more often then not the average requested price is around €100/120 the time is much short...even just 20/25 minutes. There have been recent cases, where Tourist have been charged €400!!! It is simple a case of reading local and national press...to find out

Why I have decided not to work with them.....

If I board on a Gondola I classify as a Professional Photographer and I or my clients are charged a minimum of €120 to €150 for 30 minutes, this is based on the assumption that this is a Special Service and that I as a photographer will charge my clients much  more simply  due to the fact I am taking pictures on a Gondola!!  This is absolutely bollocks....as a photographer I do not charge my clients based on where they want their picture taken but on my time and number of images... to me it does not make any difference if they choose for they background a wall of bricks....A factory...a bridge or a Gondola!! if you try to explain this to a gondolier (most of them being really rude and arrogant) you will end up being insulted!

As I was saying above ...and I know it is wrong to generalize, most of them are absolutely pure 100% rude.... I had cases of clients insulted or treated in a very arrogant way. They truly believe they rule Venice and nobody is as good as them...despite that most of them make their good money in Venice..pretend they love this city.....but then  live on the mainland!!!

For the above reasons I have decided not to be part of this scam, I do not want to be robbed or my clients be cheated....and rather be working with a nice Sandalo!  I will inform of my decision the President of Associazione Gondolieri and him or any Gondolier is more than welcome to reply and contradict me!

The above stock image shows the difference between a Sandalo and a Gondola

Anita and Jade, portraits in Venice

A really beautiful and amazingly friendly couple from Down Under and visiting Venice@

Deborah and Andrea Pictures in Venice

Deborah and Andrea visit to Venice and portraits session

ELLIOTT ERWITT: "Personal Best"

After the MEP in Paris, the Reina Sofia in Madrid and the ICP in New York, this anthological show, a tribute to the extraordinary career of the photoreporter, a member of the historic Magnum agency since 1953, arrives in Venice in the splendid early 20th century Venetian dwelling, now open again following protracted restoration. Around 140 photographs, witnessing a long career and the past six decades of history of our world and contemporary civilization, are on display in a selection under the direct curatorship of their author.

Few pictures on my archive are here and on Getty Images are here

Place	CASA DEI TRE OCI
Address	Giudecca 43
Boat stop	Linea 2 Actv Zitelle
Times	Opening hours: 10am - 7pm. Saturday 10am - 10pm.

An Introduction to Rembrandt Lighting For Portrait Photographers

If you’re a beginning photographer, chances are you’re still in the process of building up your arsenal of studio lighting. Being able to get the most out of a small lighting setup can be crucial to your photography. For those working with a one or two light setup, Rembrandt lighting can help you achieve professional quality portraits with a minimal amount of equipment.

Click Here:  An Introduction to Rembrandt Lighting For Portrait Photographers.

Rush hours in Venice

Imagine a world without cars. Or pickups, vans, sport utility vehicles or semi-trailer trucks.

It is quite amazing how much space you have left in such a world for other things, when you take the motor vehicle out of the equation.

There is no rush hour, because in Venice there is no rush!

Sior Roba in foggy Venice

VENICE, ITALY - JANUARY 05: The face of the statue of Rioba is seen as thick fog shrouds Campo de Mori and the all the city on January 5, 2012 in Venice, Italy. Venice woke up this morning under a heavy blanket of fog adding to the atmosphere of the city. (Photo by Marco Secchi/Getty Images)

Venice Carnival 2012 - What to do and where to go?

When you think of Venice, what do you think of first? Certainly, the canals and Venice gondolas come to mind quickly, but almost as quickly you’ll get images of people in gorgeous and elaborate costumes – complete with ornate masks – as they celebrate Carnevale each year. While Carnevale (Carnival in English) is a holiday which is recognized throughout Italy, Venice is the most famous city in Italy for its Carnevale festivities. So, if you want to see Carnevale in Venice, keep reading – you’ll need a few tips before you dive in. I wrote about the history of carnival here before.

- Bring yourn own costumes or hire them. Anyway, be a mask or a historic costume. A brillian place for Masks and Costumes is Ca del Sol - The only problem is that t will be so hard to cross San Marco. Lots of people are trying to photograph with you and you hear mostly: "Una foto per favore..." - Most action happens around San Marco and it is a good idea to stay not far from it - Attend a ball if you can afford it The Ballo del Doge by Antonia Sautter is the place to be...and be seen! - Get lost and discover the real Venice... This can be done anytime but it is particularly true around Carnival Time - Eat lots of Frittole and Galani - Attend a costumed dinner - Pray for good weather - Attend a Venice Carnival Photography Workshop ;-)  this year I will host one with my colleague Guillem Lopez! - Learn the programme

Venice Canvas and Fine Art Prints

Venice Canvases, Photographs and Venetian Fine Art Prints featuring the Grand Canal, St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, famous and unknown landmarks and Venetian Gondolas.  These Venice Prints on Canvas are also available in larger sizes on request.You can now buy them directly here

http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.marcosecchi.com/gallery/Venice-Canvas-and-Fine-Art-Prints/G0000QwSlx6Flzbg%3Ffeed%3Djson<!--
Venice Canvas and Fine Art Prints - Images by Marco Secchi

No Budget for photos? Sorry...it will not be me

I had the usual call yesterday morning from an MD of a blue chip company-"If you want to work with us,  just sign the contract. The copyright is all ours, and if you don't like it, nothing I can do, that is the way it is. We'll get another photographer, possibly cheaper or that may be  will do the work for free in exchange of credits"

......... guess it's another photographer then.

The Venice Carnival Photo Book

My  photo book  "Carnival in Venice 2011" is out, it is about 40 pages and more than 50 photographs. You can take a look at the preview of few pages

http://www.blurb.com/assets/embed.swf?book_id=2036633

The Venice Carnival - Photographs by Marco Secchi

Every year Venice celebrates Carnival, which lasts for two weeks and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, so today was the final day! Compared to last year, the last day of this year's Venice carnival is estimated to have witnessed a rise in tourist numbers. The combined figures offered by Venice police and hotel operators suggest that as many as 160,000 tourists were in Venice for the annual carnival's closing Sunday.

It has been a very busy and intense 2 weeks, but with lots of fun as well and hundreds of pictures.

Venice Photo Tour

During your Photo Tour of Venice your professional photographic guide will point out details invisible to the untrained eye and reveal the best vantage-points on your chosen route. Learn to tell a story through images, take great shots of iconic monuments and capture atmospheric images off the beaten track.

Venice Photo Walk

So bring your walking shoes and be prepared to discover the mysteries of the city. Bring your camera and learn how to have more fun with your camera.

• Discover parts of Venice less traveled by tourists. • Hear interesting tales and stories • Take better photos • Turn your photos into exciting stories. • Have fun !

Let a Creative Italian Photographer walk you through the city of Venice in an unforgettable Photo Walk capturing real candid moments of your stay in beautiful pictures. Enjoy a relaxed vacation and bring home remarkable pictures of your visit.

Touring Venice can be a very exciting experience, but it can also be quite an adventure if you are unsure of which places to visit and how. Language barrier may also represent a curious obstacle but it can also be frustrating. We offer innovative and unforgettable Photographic Toursto welcome you in the most fascinating and romanitc place in the world. Experience Venice through the eyes of a native Italian Professional Photographer. He will guide you in an exclusive tour through the most interesting Venice landmarks and monuments.

All city excursions are exclusively custom-made to fit your needs. You can explore the sites whichever way you like and at your own pace.

Walking around Venice together with a professional photographer is an enlighten experience. He will show you all the tricks of the game but it is also a fun and new way to visit a city like Venice. You will be able to visit, see, experience and tour places, situations, people that would be otherwise difficult to come across. The Photo Tours will take you through off-the-beaten tracks to the most important monuments and landmarks. You will avoid the tourist pedestrian highways and will take more secluded, intimate and truly Italian passageways. Let it be romantic, creative, fun and friendly, the astounding imagery will do the rest. We will show you the right places to eat, where true Italian dwell and the hidden beauties of the wonderful city.

• Tripadvisor Venice Photo Walk with Marco Secchi rated "excellent" by travelers
• Venice Photo Tours website