About Venice

 You wouldn't think it from these pictures, that Venice in summertime is a heaving mass of people. In fact around St Marks Square and the Basilica,  the Rialto Bridge and other famous landmarks it can feel quite stifling as you have to weave between throngs of people. However you don't have to go far off the beaten track to find a little bit of calm, a slower pace and a sense of what the city is really like.

Narrow streets with shops and restaurants, not just those filled with tourist tat and churning out crappy food, but nice boutiques, workshops, book shops and fine dining are there to be explored.

The tall buildings provide shade and a real atmosphere that is quite special. Of course you are never far from the hustle and bustle or from the canals but there is plenty of space in the city to find peace. 

I loved visiting the market, and the fish market, especially early in the morning as the traders are setting out their stalls and it was fun listening to the banter as they shouted to each other across the market hall. 

It is worth noting that the guy laying on the jetty is actually breaking at least two by laws and could face a hefty fine for his behaviour, perhaps he was lucky though and did not get pulled up.

Back Streets and Buildings

Having posted abstract pictures over the past three days I have reverted to more familiar images of back streets and buildings around Venice.

In contrast to the bold colours of the past few days I have gone full on black and white for today's post and I know that is not everyone's taste especially when the city is so colourful and the sky was so blue but I really love black and white photography.

For those who prefer colour please come back tomorrow and I will mix things up a bit.

Twilight In Venice

Venice is such a beautiful city and in the early evening, as the sun is setting it really comes into its own.

So as you walk around the back streets and along the canals you really get to see this wonderful city at its best.

Back Street History

Today's shots were taken around the back streets of Versailles. Obviously when people visit the city the main thing they come to see is the fantastic royal palace but the grandeur of the palace spreads out into the surrounding streets as can be seen in the final  picture with its magnificent gold decoration and impressive lion head door knockers. I chose to share this image in colour because the gold would be lost in black and white.

The other pictures however work better in black and white because it gives them a better sense of history and given how old these buildings are I think it needs that. I had thought about a colour exposure for the first image to bring out the glorious wisteria however it was the patterns in the stone work that I wanted to highlight.

Venice street art

More from Venice at night, a typical shot of gondolas, a quiet back street and some really cool graffiti/street art.

Hope you enjoyed today's pictures 

The back streets of Venice

Today's selection is as the title of the blog suggests a mix of pictures of the back streets of Venice.  The well known face of the city is the grand architecture of St Marks Square, the Grand canal and Lagoon with Gondolas and the Rialto Bridge.  All of which are spectacular and beautiful and full of character and charm.

However for me the quiet back streets, narrow alleys and canals with the little connecting bridges, away from the crowds, are even more interesting and I could spend hours and hours exploring them, getting lost in them and not get bored.

I hope you enjoy today's pictures and get a sense of what I felt as I wandered through these streets.