Date
Venice
CountryItaly
- Reading
- 9 min
- Words
- 2,168
- Images
- 51
Day 81 was one of the most beautiful and enjoyable days of the entire trip.
After spending several days in Milan with Julie, she and her friend Anastasia took me to Venice for the day. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a dream. The canals, the old buildings rising straight out of the water, the boats moving through the narrow waterways instead of cars — everything about Venice felt magical. It was exactly how I had imagined it, and in many ways, even better.
We spent the day floating along the Grand Canal, visiting the Accademia Museum, wandering through the narrow streets, and sitting by the water watching the boats go by. We ate gelato, had pizza, and I took more pictures than I had on almost any other day of the trip. Venice brought out something in me as a photographer. The light, the colors, the reflections on the water — it was all so striking that I found myself constantly stopping to take another photo.
What made the day even better was the company. Being with Julie and Anastasia made everything feel easy and fun. There was no pressure, no awkwardness — just three people enjoying one of the most beautiful cities in the world together. It was one of those rare days where everything felt light, romantic, and almost perfect.
By the time we got back on the train to Milan that evening, I already knew I had taken some of my favorite photographs of the entire journey.
Santa Maria della Salute
The Grand Canal stretched out ahead, the dome of Santa Maria della Salute rising on the left while the old palaces lined the opposite shore. The light was soft and the water was calm, and Venice felt like a dream come to life.
My Photographs from Today in Venice, Italy
-
Water’s Edge Get this as a printWe got off the train and walked to the water’s edge. An older woman stood alone on the patterned stones, looking out across the canal while the everyday work of Venice went on behind her.
-
The Old Ghetto Get this as a printLooking toward the bridge marked L’Antico Ghetto di Venezia. This was the entrance to Venice’s historic Jewish Ghetto, established by the Venetian Republic in 1516. The word “ghetto” itself comes from Venice — from the foundry (getto) that once stood on the site. For centuries Jewish residents were locked inside its gates at night, yet the district became one of the most culturally rich corners of the city.
-
On the Canal Get this as a printWe stepped aboard a water taxi and Julie led the way. For the first time on the whole trip I didn’t have to make a single decision — no maps, no choices, just following her and letting my mind stay free to soak up the beauty and take pictures. It was a glorious time.
-
Hotel San Cassiano Get this as a printOne of the many old buildings rising straight out of the canal — Hotel San Cassiano, Ca’ Favretto, its weathered walls and flower boxes facing the water, ready to welcome visitors.
-
Police Boat Get this as a printEverything is on the water here — including the police. A Polizia boat cut through the canal, its wake trailing behind while the rest of Venice floated calmly around it.
-
First Gondola Sighting Get this as a printI got goosebumps when I saw it — the long black boat gliding past the arcades with the gondolier standing at the stern, the Rialto Bridge rising behind him. It looked exactly like every picture I had ever seen, only real.
-
Coming Toward Us Get this as a printThen I spotted this one coming toward us, seats empty, looking for passengers. My heart beat faster as I knew it would be a fantastic picture, and I pushed the shutter button. The gondolier stood tall at the stern, the long black boat cutting cleanly through the water.
-
The Dream Photo Get this as a printThis is one of the greatest photographs of my entire life. I still get a rush every time I look at it. No passengers — just the gondolier and that long black boat coming straight toward the camera, inviting anyone who sees it to climb aboard.
I captured it from a moving boat going the opposite direction and only had a few seconds. The framing, the light, the composition… everything landed perfectly. I was so proud of myself then, and I still am. I love this photograph!
-
Gondolas at Rest Get this as a printA line of gondolas tied up along the canal, their black hulls covered and waiting. The profession of gondolier goes back centuries in Venice — a tightly controlled trade, often passed from father to son, with only a limited number of licenses ever issued. These boats have carried people through the same waterways for generations.
-
Looking Out Over the Canal Get this as a printA couple stands framed in the open window of an old Venetian house, watching the canal and soaking up the scene. I imagine the view from up there was incredible.
-
Love in Venice Get this as a printWe got off the water taxi and started walking, and the first thing I saw was this passionate couple kissing in the middle of the plaza.
-
Slow Passage Get this as a printA single gondola moving slowly through the water, the long canal stretching ahead between the old palaces.
-
Santa Maria della Salute Get this as a printThe great domed church of Santa Maria della Salute standing at the entrance to the Grand Canal. It was built in the 17th century as a votive offering after the plague of 1630, designed by Baldassare Longhena, and has watched over the water ever since.
-
Kids in the Alley Get this as a printI loved this moment when I captured these three running and playing in the street.
-
Along the Canals Get this as a printQuiet canals ran between the old buildings, with boats tied along the edges and the Hotel American sign hanging above the water. Venice’s canals were shaped over centuries as early settlers dug channels through the lagoon and drove thousands of wooden piles into the soft mud to create solid foundations for the city that still stands on them today.
-
Get this as a print -
Full Gondola Get this as a printA gondola loaded with passengers gliding past one of the grand old palaces on the canal.
-
Moored Get this as a printGondolas tied up at the edge of the water, black hulls and tall wooden poles disappearing into the fog. Quiet, waiting, the way they have for centuries when the work of the day is done.
-
Santa Maria della Salute Get this as a printThe great church of Santa Maria della Salute stood across the water, its dome and towers catching the soft light. Gondolas rested at the poles in the foreground, completing one of the most recognizable views in all of Venice.
-
Crossing the Square Get this as a printA solitary figure in a light coat and hat moved through the center of Piazza San Marco. Around him the pigeons scattered and the tourists drifted, but he walked as if the great square belonged only to him for that one moment.
-
Get this as a print -
Get this as a print -
Get this as a print -
Get this as a print -
Under the Arch Get this as a printI love this picture too. A crowded Venetian street funneled under the old stone arch, shop windows glowing on both sides while the stream of people moved in both directions. The city felt completely alive.
-
Setting Up for Lunch Get this as a printA waiter in a white jacket moved among the empty tables and chairs, getting everything ready for lunch. The square was already filling with people, and the outdoor café was preparing for its first customers of the afternoon.
-
Through the Canals Get this as a printGondolas moved through the narrow waterways, carrying passengers between the old buildings that crowded close to the water. People watched from the steps and bridges above as the gondoliers stood at the stern and guided their boats through the canals. In the quieter passages, small boats rested along the edges and the still water reflected the buildings around them.
-
Get this as a print -
Get this as a print -
Toward Open Water Get this as a printThe view toward the open water of the Venetian Lagoon. Beyond the rooftops and the last of the buildings, the lagoon stretched out under a soft gray sky, the distant hill rising on the horizon.
-
Mainland Hills Get this as a printHouses climbed the hillside across the water. This is the mainland beyond the Venetian Lagoon, the solid ground that sits opposite the floating city, dotted with homes and small boats at rest.
-
Color on the Grand Canal Get this as a printI couldn’t leave Venice without taking some color pictures. The same view of the Grand Canal and Santa Maria della Salute, now in soft evening light, the water turning blue and the dome glowing against the sky.
-
Gondola in Color Get this as a printA gondola moved across the water in soft color, the passengers sitting low while the gondolier stood at the stern. The old buildings and blue poles lined the canal behind them.
-
At the End of the Pier Get this as a printI sat at the end of a pier and looked at this scene for at least twenty minutes. I tried some different filters and was so excited to see the dream-like quality of the slide film bring these scenes to life. The dome of Santa Maria della Salute glowed across the water under a soft evening sky.
-
Get this as a print -
Get this as a print -
Get this as a print -
Night on the Canal Get this as a printA small restaurant glowed along the canal at night, strings of lights outlining the terrace while gondolas rested in the dark water below. Venice after dark felt quieter and more intimate.
-
Pizza in Venice Get this as a printEating pizza in Venice was a dream come true. After a full day of wandering the canals I sat in a warm restaurant with the pizza in my hands and a big smile on my face.
-
Boats After Dark Get this as a printBoats continued moving through the canals after dark. A gondolier carried a couple through the water while the old buildings glowed softly behind them. Locals passed in a small green boat, followed by a much nicer private boat with a clean white hull. The lights from the buildings reflected across the dark water as each boat disappeared into the night.
-
Get this as a print -
Get this as a print -
Night Reflections Get this as a printThe lights from the old palaces poured onto the water, turning the surface of the canal into a long, shimmering mirror. It was quiet and beautiful, the kind of scene that made the whole day feel complete.
-
Star Filter Get this as a printI used a star filter to capture this scene and this bridge. The lights along the canal flared into long points while the dark shape of the bridge arched over the water, turning the night into something almost otherworldly.
-
Rialto Bridge Get this as a printThe last picture from Venice and the magical day. The Rialto Bridge glowed across the Grand Canal at night, its arches and lights reflected in the dark water. The most famous bridge in the city, and a perfect final frame!
1994From my journal
DAY 81 / 11-26-94Venice, Italy
Today was Awesome! Venice Rocks. I took so many pictures today – I really can not wait to develop them!
Julie picked me up at 7:20 & the train left at 8:10. We put my backpack into the check-in place, so it would be right there when I leave tonight.
I slept the whole three-hour trip there. Venice is just like you hear. Canals everywhere, & everything is on boats. The police, the postman, the fire department, taxis & “buses”. We took one of the boat buses along the Grand Canal, and along the way saw both a floating funeral and wedding.
We went to the Academia Museum, perhaps the most famous one in Venice. We had a quick sandwich for lunch, then walked out to the point, where we just sat & talked & watched the boats go by & I took pictures.
We took another boat, walked around some more, found the Piazza San Marco, and chilled there a while. The girls did some shopping & I took some pictures.
Then we found a gelato store! Gelato is Italian ice cream, and it kicks ass. Super light & extremely creamy, it puts DQ [Dairy Queen, an American ice cream franchise] to shame.
Julie said the 2 things a person has to do in Italy are eat gelato & pizza. 1 down, 1 to go. We found a pizza place, and Julie finally let me pay. So far she has gotten everything, from the metros to food to the museum entrance fees.
And although the pizza was good, made better by the fact I was actually IN Italy, Venice none the less, I still prefer a Domino’s or Pizza Hut deep dish. There just wasn’t enough toppings or cheese to make me happy.
We continued walking, the girls did some more shopping, and then we took a boat bus back to the station. I can’t get over how charming this city is. Totally romantic, too.
The train left at 8:25 [pm] & the ironic thing is that the train we’re on is the exact same one I’ll take out of Milano.
The trip back was very fun. There was a 19 year old Italian guy who spoke good English & we (I) sang songs & quoted Simpson’s lines & movie quotes & taught each other swear words.
When we arrived in Milan I had 25 minutes to get my pack and get back on. No problem at all. I said my goodbyes to Julie, the easiest so far since she’ll be home in 6 months or so.
JournalMy handwritten journal pages · 4 pages
-
-
-
-
