When you have 2
children under 2 years old, european city trips aren't really
on the agenda! However, this was a rare treat for myself and
my wife and we even managed to persuade the grandparents to
babysit. However, this wasn't meant to be a photo trip but
a relaxing holiday so I was constantly torn between having
a much needed lay-in or getting up for the morning light.
After 2 years of early mornings the bed won over the camera!
But as the mini journal will show photographic opportunities
in Rome are in abundance.
Evening light, St Peter's Square , Rome
We spent 3 nights in Rome and stayed in the Trastevere area
to the West of the river Tiber. As it was a short stay we
had planned to see all the major sites including St Peter's
Basilica, The Vatican Museum, The Pantheon, The Coliseum,
and then see what time we had left for other sites. As it
happened we managed to see the major sites all 2-3 times and
that meant I could photograph them at different times of the
day all of which had their merit. A favorite for me was St
Peter's Square as if you had time you could photograph that
from sunrise through midday to sunset as the first 3 photos
in this journal testify.
Lowry people, St Peter's Square, Rome
The walk up to the dome of St Peter's
Basilica is well worth the effort. The view over the
city is breathtaking and there is an opportunity for
photos from different angles like 'Lowry People' above.
We had a fair amount of cloud during this day and
I waited for the sun as this shot needed the shadows
cast by 'miniature' people.
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Colour contrasts, St Peter's Square, Rome
My favorite photographic places in Rome
It is difficult to name a my top 5 or 10 places as Rome itself
is full of photographic opportunity, so I though it best to
list them as types of photography as well as places.
All the side streets - this is a must! -
just turn of any main street and you will find an abundance
of potential from candid shots of the locals to shadows cast
by the shutters and street lamps. One of the best areas for
this is Trasterver (also try the area near the Pantheon).
Plant pots and light, Rome
St Peters Square - although it is obvious,
this really is a must. Go there at all times of the day as
you will find it changes drastically as the light changes.
Moon shines on the righteous, Saint status
in St Peter's Square, Rome
This is one of my favorite images
from the trip. It is actually a landscape crop from
a portrait image that included the pavement in the
square. I think this is a much stronger image than
the one I had originally imagined. I love the shapes
of the Saint statues against the 'black' sky. We were
lucky to visit when the moon was around at sunset.
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The Pantheon - this was a missed opportunity
for me, the unusual design of the roof with a massive opening
creates amazing light.
2000 year old roof light, The Pantheon, Rome
Although this isn't a great photo it shows the
amazing amount of detail that is recorded in the
Shadows on a D200. I exposed for the sky in the
photo and I all I have done in this photo is boasted
the shadow detail. Below is the photo as shot and
with the shadow detail boasted.
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The Tiber River - Walk down the Tiber River
at night as you get great reflections. As with all the parts
of Rome we visited we found it to be safe.
Night scene, Rome
We sat by the river on our final night for 2 hours
waiting for the sun to set and the lights to appear
on St Peter's Basilica. Top tip - go to Cavour bridge
to get this view which allows you to include the
Caste S. Angelo in the shot as well. Even better
go to the roadside stall on LTV Marzio and get a
beer whilst you wait. The owner is very friendly
and as many of the Italians we met.
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Top tips for photos in rome
- Take a beanbag
- Don't head straight for the Coliseum for night shots -
there are plenty of better places. I had seen a shot on
National Geographic of the Coliseum at night with car trails
(include link!). This shot would now be impossible as where
the cars are is now only for pedestrians.
- Spend time at one place watching how the light and crowds
changes
- Don't worry about taking cameras into the many churches
and other buildings. You will be able to use them in most
places. Often flash is banned - but to be honest you will
never get a good interior shot with a flash as they are
vast!
The onlooker, Vatican Museums
The staircase on the exit of the Vatican museum
is well worth photographing. I took over 100 images
of the people on the stairs and only got 1 that
I was happy with. I like this photo as I think the
single figure standing still combined with the movement
of the others looks very powerful.
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What I took on my Rome trip (In the bag)
Before I went to Rome I read a lot about the problems using
tripods in Rome and decided to take a compact tripod. I have
to say that I didn't use a tripod for 80% of my photos as
a lot of them were street style photography. When I did use
a tripod I never had any problems and this included setting
it up in the middle of St Peter's Square, outside the Coliseum
and by the river. Obviously you can't use a tripod in any
of the museums or churches which is a problem if you want
to take great interior shots. I still managed to get some
great shots indoors - but in hindsight wish I had taken a
beanbag.
- Nikon D200
- Nikon 70-200 f2.8
- Nikon 17-55 f2.8
- Mini tripod
- Lee 0.6 ND filter
- Hoya Pro 1 Polariser filter
I decided not to take my SB800 flash and wasn't
disappointed - I didn't find any real need for a flash on
the trip. |
