Venice Watercolor

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, folks, I'm finally starting to look at my images from my last trip to Italy. I'm on day 5 of my 5 week trip so I've got a way to go. I have to process my images in chronological order unless there's some fire to my feet so I'll slowly work my way through. Luckily I stayed in Venice the first 18 days I was there
This was a late afternoon shot of the Accademia Bridge. I used a Watercolor Texture from Shadowhouse Textures (I think - if not it would be a Flickr texture) with Multiply blend mode at 80%.

[Dennis Bishop]

I've been gazing at this for a while. It's a pretty scene, and you captured it from a good perspective, especially with regard to the bridge (?). I like how it juts outward giving added depth and that its reflection interrupts the reflections of the buildings.

Not only do I like it visually, but it has some interesting features that grab my attention. It appears that the gondolas are tied up so they can rise and fall with the water but are held laterally by the poles. Is that structure a pedestrian bridge? It looks too steep to be anything else.

[Nancy Bell]

Cheryl, you are terrific at travel photography! You have a great eye for framing a scene and creating an image from just a walk through a village, or along the canal, or from a train window... You put us in that place and enhance the mood. Thank you so much!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Dennis and Nancy, thanks for your comments. Dennis, the Accademia Bridge goes across the Grand Canal and yes, it's used by pedestrians - one of only 3 bridges (I think) that span the Grand Canal. I believe it's high because barges go down the Canal. Venice is a fascinating place logistically for construction (renovation) and trash removal and deliveries in particular. I went back this time in January hoping that there wouldn't be as many tourists and there weren't but it's still pretty crowded. I would like to stay longer than 18 days next time and really immerse myself in the Venetian culture. Like a lot of Europe it's losing its identity from all the tourism (which unfortunately is what keeps their economy going). A double edged sword.

[David Cowling]

A different and very well captured scene which is far removed from the obvious tourist photo snap. I like the way that the bridge frames the gondolas and the houses beyond. The watercolour works well here and is in keeping with the Venetian landscape. One slight nit is that the building to the right of the bridge is a bit too bright and draws my eye away from the main part of the image, if it were mine I would try reducing the brightness a touch. I am really enjoying looking at this as it reminds me of my visit before I became a photographer.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks, David, I agree about the building - will fix it

[Cheryl Slechta]

I posted the fog image to the wrong thread - sorry!

[Anita Bower]

I like the inclusion of the underside of the bridge, the boats and the buildings in this unusual angle--they tell the story of Venice in a unique way. Nice treatment.