STREET PHOTOGRAPHY IN VENICE
VENEZIA!
Venice - Venezia - La Serenissima - is my favourite location in the world for street photography - in fact it’s my favourite place, full stop; my ‘happy place’. I’ve been shooting Venice’s calli and campi for over 11 years and I think it’s safe to say I know the place like the back of my hand.
You’ll find me in Venice only during the ‘darker’ months - usually from October to March - when the streets are quiet, there are fewer tourists and when the dark, damp, misty conditions provide real atmosphere and a rather sinister backdrop. I also visit during Carnevale (the annual Venice Carnival), which provides countless street photography opportunities beyond the predictable portraits of people in costume.
Together we’ll explore the real, hidden Venice away from the tourists and into the areas where the locals live, work and play. My Venice workshops combine street shooting with elements of documentary and travel photography, with expert guidance all the way. Join me on a Venetian adventure!
DOCUMENTARY & STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS IN VENICE
I run 3, 4 and 5 day group photography workshops in Venice from October to March - and one-to-one coaching and mentoring can be arranged at any time.
My workshops are about the real, ‘living’ Venice - not the touristic clichés or the ‘picture postcard’ images: there are plenty of other workshops which cater for this.
Venice provides a wealth of photographic opportunities for photographers in stunningly beautiful surroundings which are greatly enhanced by the ever changing light. We will aim to visit each of the sestiere (districts) of the city, each of which has a distinctive feel and its own special photo opportunities. Depending on which workshop you choose, we may visit the lagoon and its islands - including Burano, Giudecca, Torcello, Mazzorbo, San Pietro and Pellestrina.
You will discover new ways of telling the story of your travels through stylish and distinctive images. We will be doing lots of structured shooting and you will receive coaching, mentoring and constant feedback.
Your workshop will be immersive, inspiring and great fun. The experience will challenge you, stretch you and will elevate your photography.
Typical learning outcomes include:
Find your own style / voice and develop a personal photographic language
Shoot with a clear sense of purpose and intent
Discover new visions and new inspirations to nourish your creativity
Learn to develop a compelling narrative from images; how to use photography as a powerful medium for impactful, cinematic storytelling
Develop a sensitivity to the atmosphere of a place
Understand the different approaches to street and documentary photography
Work on a coherent photographic series / project; learn how to conceive, nurture and cultivate personal projects from initial idea to completion
Develop the street photographer skill-set and find a modus operandi which works for you
GROUP WORKSHOPS >
There are 6 variations of my group workshops, which for a maximum of six participants and are structured and packed with learning opportunities. We’ll spend much of the time together as a group and there will be times when you’ll have some space and time to practice techniques and work on projects on your own.
Workshops are for 3 or 4 days and usually take place between October and March every year.
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My 3-day workshops, usually held between the winter months of November and March, focus on a combination of street, travel and documentary photography.
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The winter months from November to February provide splendid shooting opportunities in Venice with far fewer tourists and a dark, mysterious and often foggy backdrop.
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In this workshop we explore the expansive Venetian Lagoon and some of the islands, including some of the sparsely inhabited ones. Depending on the weather conditions, we may visit: Torcello, Burano, Mazzorbo, S Erasmo, Pellestrina, S Pietro and Giudecca. This is a 4-day workshop.
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Venice gives us the perfect backdrop to learn the art of storytelling through images. My workshops focus on concept development, shooting a focused project and producing a book or zine.
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Learn the art of monochrome street photography against a backdrop full of mystery and intrigue. There’s no place quite like Venice in the winter months; most of the tourists have gone home and the city returns to its ‘real life’ state. Think fog, dark, mysterious alleys, cloaked characters and . . . more fog! It’s all so photogenic.
We’ll be shooting stylised, conceptual and abstract images based on classic Venetian iconography with all its shapes, textures and contrast. You’ll be encouraged to work on a personal project (with full support from Brian) and you should aim to produce a book or zine as a record of your time in Venice.
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‘Carnevale’ is a uniquely Venetian experience not to be missed and is a truly mouthwatering experience for street photographers! Venice in February is dark, mysterious, a little sinister and usually misty - giving us the most fabulous layered backdrops.
This workshop isn’t about shooting portraits of people in costume: it’s about documenting the madness, the energy, the bizarre and the ‘unusual in the usual’ - in a street and documentary photography style.
This Venice street photography workshop is project-focused, with the emphasis on the carnival; it will combine elements of street, documentary and travel photography, where you’ll produce creative images which reflect real life in this wonderful city. You will discover new ways of telling the story of your travels through great images. There will be lots of structured shooting and you will receive coaching, mentoring and constant feedback
ONE-TO-ONE WORKSHOPS >
Spend between two and five days with a professional street and documentary photographer and Venice expert. The agenda is yours and we will spend time before the workshop agreeing a clearly defined itinerary for our time together.
Come on your own or share the cost with a partner, friend or small group (maximum 6 people).
Your workshop can take place at any time during the year, subject to mutual availability.
The process begins before we leave for Venice: we’ll start with a Zoom chat to identify / set objectives and start work on a detailed itinerary; we’ll explore some of your images and will identify any skills gaps. This will allow us to hit the ground running once we’re in Venice.
The costs below are based on consecutive days and do not include flights, accommodation, meals or local transport.
2 Days - £2,850
3 Days - £3,750
4 Days - £4,650
5 Days - £5,250
To discuss availability and dates, please email Brian.
FAQs >
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No. I find that our clients have widely differing requirements, tastes and budgets and my fees do not include flights or accommodation. However, I know the city extremely well and I’ll be pleased to advise on the ideal locations for your stay.
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Your own drinks and meals are not included. You may also need to purchase a public waterbus ticket.
When we eat and drink together, we usually choose authentic local establishments (not those of the expensive touristic type!).
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There will never be more than six participants. This is the optimal number to ensure a good group dynamic whilst providing plenty of opportunity for individual coaching and attention from me as your workshop leader.
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Whatever your level of experience, I can help you develop your skills. I am used to teaching photographers with different levels of knowledge and experience. However, some knowledge of the fundamentals of the basic camera settings are essential - and will help you progress more quickly.
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Relatively little - less is more! I am not gear-obsessed and are more interested in getting the picture. Anything from a good basic digital compact camera to a professional DSLR will be fine, as will a traditional film camera. Of course, I will provide more specific guidance once you have booked your workshop.
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Quite a lot, and I would describe the required fitness level as ‘medium’. Venice is very flat (apart from the many small bridges) and our pace is very relaxed. Occasionally, we’ll use the vaporetto (waterbus) to get from A to B.
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Yes, workshops can be arranged at any time during the year - please contact me to discuss dates and costs. Workshops can be arranged for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days and can be for individuals or small private groups of up to six people.
FROM PARTICIPANTS ON A RECENT WORKSHOP IN VENICE >
“Thank you for a memorable time in Venezia - and thanks to Brian for leading and teaching us so well. Thank you so much for all this wonderful information and guidance!”
Jen“Just wanted to say many thanks to everyone for a great few days of fun and friendship; I’ve had a great time. Special thanks to Brian for such a great workshop; top-notch as ever.”
Pete“Really enjoyed the time away with everybody and thanks Brian for re-energising my photography. Looking forward to the next one now!!!”
Lyn“Thank you all for the lovely company and many thanks for Brian for this interesting and instructive workshop. Really enjoyed it! Definitely have my creative juices flowing now with some projects in my hometown.”
Yves“Thanks for helping to make my first workshop so enjoyable. A special thanks to Brian for sharing is expertise in so friendly and inspirational way.”
Steve“It’s been a great workshop and a wonderful group to spend time with. Thank you Brian for your patience and generosity of spirit.”
Jane