Photographing Rome: tricks and techniques for original and impressive shots

However, there is a way to break the mold and create memorable and impactful images. And we will tell you about it here…

Photographing Rome and its icons

Being original does not mean neglecting the most important monuments of the city: Colosseum, Imperial Forum, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo. And so on…

But you can try to photograph the icons of Rome unusually and train your eye to find different angles and details. For example, try walking around the monument and see how it changes compared to the surrounding environment: When moving, different elements of the scene are combined in different ways.

Think about what is most important to you and Above all, try to photograph what it means for you to find yourself in front of this particular sight, long-awaited and expected. Do a midday survey first and come back when the light is perfect.

Again, try to make the most overused views memorable and different, and shoot in breathtaking lights. For example the moment a ray of sunlight breaks through the clouds and envelops your subject. Further reconnaissance will allow you to understand what the monument you have decided to photograph looks like at dawn or dusk moments of the day generally characterized by beautiful light.

Also By inserting a figure into the composition, a familiar sight can be made much more interesting. Just like photographing a famous landmark during a specific event.

Also, discover how to use long exposures in broad daylight to photograph the Colosseum originally!

The most hidden corners and views

Of course, if you want to photograph Rome and stand out from the crowd, you can’t miss the most secret places in the city. remember photography is all about being ready to seize the opportunities that arise! So take your time to wander the streets and alleys… you will undoubtedly discover something worth photographing. And then talk to the local taxi drivers, restaurateurs, and salesmen who can certainly recommend places away from the crowds of tourists.

Among the places to discover we recommend Trullo District, Tiber Island, Aqueduct Park, Lungotevere Castle, Botanical Garden, and Musical Bridge.

Naturally, you can’t miss the bird’s eye view of the city. You can’t miss between the panoramic points Zodiac terrace, on top of Monte Mario, the highest point in Rome; The Janiculum, beyond Trastevere; andAventinewhere you can discover the Orange Garden and take a picture of the famous “keyhole”, an open peephole on the green door of the Priory of the Knights of Malta, which offers a perfect view of the dome of St. Peter.

Typically, this type of scene is characterized by a very wide brightness without which it is often difficult to capture lost information in darker or lighter areas. In these cases, the HDR or High Dynamic Range technique can help you.

Between architecture and street photography

In Rome, there are not only ancient monuments but also “modernist” or “postmodern” architecture which lends itself well to fine art photography. Naked and aerodynamic, with very little distraction, these structures greatly facilitate the creation of elegant images.

The shapes of buildings or parts of buildings are what you notice first. Some become so iconic that they identify the city in which they are located. Think of The Gherkin in London, the Empire State Building in New York, or the Sydney Opera House.

Learn how to use these shapes to create pictures. Using an unusual point of view can turn a well-known form into something very different. People like to recognize what they’re looking at, but it’s always good to make them ask questions and encourage them to explore the image further.

It is vital to compose according to the shapes and lines that architects envision. Lines that pass through a structure can often serve as entry lines to a composition. Many buildings have repeating shapes (patterns) and we can often find echoes, references, and symmetries: use them.

Again, you can try to zoom in on buildings frame them from below, and look straight up. You will often encounter an unusual sight.

Experiment with different distances from the building. A few steps in one direction can completely change the composition. Use reflections or symmetries even long exposures to create an image that has never been seen before.

Returning to our beloved Rome, the ideal destination for this type of photography is the EUR quarter: here we suggest how to take an unusual picture of the “Colosseum Square”.

Photographing Rome also means immortalizing the life that animates its streets: Here are some tips to try your hand at street photography!