Venice After Dark – A Photo Essay

I know I’ve said this before but it’s true…

Walking in Venice at night is a bit like being drunk and in love – in a good way.

We only spent two nights in Venice but I couldn’t get enough of it. I desperately want to go back for several months just so I can wander the streets after dark. The hoards of tourists disappear leaving behind the crumbling remains of what was once one of the grandest cities in Italy. All you need to do is step outside and the soundtrack follows you through the alleys and canals – water lapping, wine being poured, forks and knives clinking, children running & people laughing.

All at once it seems like a distant far off land, yet close at hand. It’s the kind of place where you see the next square and wonder if you’ll end up in a completely different world when you just turn the corner.

There is just no doubting in my mind that I am going back to Venice for an extended stay. It has some weird hold on me. I’m not sure what it is, it just seems like a place I need to explore further. It feels very familiar yet unimaginable.

Venice is mysterious & mystical without being cliche.

Everyone looks so in love in Venice. It’s a place where people dress up, jump on their motor boat for a quick ride and then spend the rest of the evening dining, drinking & holding hands. It’s also a place where the real estate is crumbing, graffiti is plentiful and it’s not uncommon to find dead birds in the alleys.

The new blends seamlessly with the old in Venice. Time keeps marching on even though it looks like it’s been standing still for centuries.

Venice has an elusive, almost aristocratic spirit with a gritty and dirty soul.

It’s a juxtaposition of itself and I think that’s why I love it so much.

She’s the girlfriend you’ve always wanted. The one you can take to the opera and throw back shots of Jose Cuervo with on the limo ride over. She’s that kind of cool. You can tell you don’t have the whole story but you don’t care because being with her puts you on top of the world. She doesn’t give it up easy yet you keep going back for more. You just can’t help yourself.

I guess that’s why she’s so easy to fall in love with. It’s the way she makes you feel – ALIVE.

Welcome to my version of Venice after dark – gritty, grimy and utterly enchanting. I hope you love her the way I do.

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All of these photos were taken in Venice, Italy using the manual setting on my camera and without the use of a tripod.

Check out my photo ebook – Getting Out Of Auto. Learn the ins & outs of exposure, composition and special techniques to help you get photos like the ones you see here.

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Shameless Plug: Want to learn some great tricks for taking photos in low light situations?

All of these photos were taken in Venice, Italy using the manual setting on my camera and without the use of a tripod.

Check out my photo ebook – Getting Out Of Auto. Learn the ins & outs of exposure, composition and special techniques to help you get photos like the ones you see above.

 

*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Did you hear? We also make travel scarves with hidden pockets! You can check out our shop at Speakeasy Travel Supply.

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****************Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.**************** Bethany Salvon is a full time Travel/Wedding photographer, travel blogger, world adventurer & the founder of BeersAndBeans.com. She has a thing for blueberries and vintage photographs.

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106 comments

  1. I’m sold. I’d love to be in Venice right now! I can see why you love her so much – especially after all the crowds have gone.
    Julia

  3. Beautiful photos as always. I think Venice at night might be more intriguing that Venice during the day.

    1. Thank you Alouise – I do think it is. During the day the crowds can get annoying. At night though, totally different story. @Alouise,

    1. Haha! Me too! Well actually I don’t even need to be committed. A fling will work right now! πŸ™‚ @Sarah,

  5. Stunning!!!! and the words are beautiful too.

    Thank you for sharing your talents.

  6. ps – Just bought your book. Busting to know how to take such beautiful photos without lugging a tripod!

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Andrea,

      So glad you bought the book – I hope you love it! Check page 49 for all the tips I use when I don’t have a tripod with me or don’t want to use one. And check page 31 too for other night photography tips! πŸ™‚ @Andrea,

  7. I was in Venice in my 20s with beau on arm dressed like Katherine Hepburn and walking the streets like I was the queen of style. It was so long ago and Venice has not changed (except for the plastered billboards). I would give anything to walk those streets 40 years ago again and giving my glorious smile full of a vitality that only that city can give.

    1. Carol that is such a beautiful comment! Thank you so much for leaving it. Reading it, I feel like I can see you there in just the way you describe beautiful and full of love. Venice is something out of the ordinary and unlike anything else isn’t it?
      @Carol,

  9. lovely pictures, venice is such a dreamy and pretty place!
    which lense do you use? πŸ™‚

    1. Thanks Kristina – Most of these were taken w/ an 18-250 3.5 not the best lens but one I had with me. @Kristina,

  11. Beautiful and haunting……….nice work. It’s been years since I’ve been to Venice. It will always hold special memories for me.

  12. Loved the Venice photos. While Nancie says it’s years since she’s been, for me it’s decades! Try 1974. But I still remember just wandering the streets, old churches under renovation, 2 litres of wine for less than a dollar in those days, can’t remember much after that somehow…

    1. hahah! Sounds like everyone loves the same things about Venice. There just isn’t anywhere else like it. Thanks for commenting Jim – glad you like the images. πŸ™‚ @Jim,

  13. Everything I wanted to say, has been said already – most of all ‘speechless’ and ‘inspired’ would sum it up! Brilliant!!!

    1. Thanks Sheryll! Yes, definitely go! Just make sure to stay out at night. It’s beautiful during the day but tons of people. Sometimes you feel like a sardine. At night though – amazing! @Sheryll (@wnderlustprojct),

  16. You know how much I love Venice already. You HDR’ing any of these shots? Love night shots. These are great.

    1. I know, Venice is something else for sure. I really want to go back. I HDR’d only one of them and only very slighting – between 2 photos instead of the typical three. Just kinda merged them together instead of going for that real HDR look. The one I did it to is 13th photo in – the one taken at street level with the buildings on each side and the big dark sky. There are some cafe tables on the left w/ umbrellas – one of the guys is looking at me. Glad you like them! πŸ™‚ @Michael Hodson,

  17. I was going to ask if there was a bad way to be drunk and in love, but realized that there definitely is – if said love is unrequited or unreturned, anyway! But having experienced Venice at night, I’m definitely in agreement that it is like the *good* kind of drunk and in love. πŸ˜‰ Gorgeous photos! They really capture the essence.

    Heidi

  18. Sorry I’m so late. Busy, busy, busy and can’t recall if I even posted for TPThursday this past week. Anyhoo, I always enjoy your photography and excellent writing. Ya got a follower !

  19. I think this might be my favourite of your photo posts yet! I haven’t been to Venice in 12 years and this just makes me want to go back even more…

  20. Gorgeous!
    Love your photography! Makes me want to go back! πŸ™‚ I haven’t been there since 2007!

  21. Gorgeous and unusual photos, as always πŸ™‚
    Love Venice at night. And in winter.

    1. Thank you Sophie! It’s funny you mention that because I really want to see Venice in the winter too! I think it must be breathtaking! @Sophie,

  22. Amazing photos, as usual! That one of the gondoliers sitting next to the canal (at least I think that’s what it’s of) is stunning. Love it!

    1. Thank you Amanda! I really like that one too. When I saw the guy sitting up there with the hat I knew I had to grab a shot as quick as I could. πŸ™‚ @Amanda,

  23. I was in Venice in May this year it was fantastic. Many of your photos I recognise from my own wanderings through the streets there. It’s funny walking around there, not many street names but after a little while you begin to recognise the different intricacies about each street and can navigate your way around without a concern.

    I am nearly 100% positive that I ate at the restaurant where you have taken the photo of the menu sticking in the alley way! Cant for the life of me think of its name though! Sadly, I lost my camera in the canal so I don’t have any photos to share – mind you they pale in comparison to yours!!!

    1. That’s crazy that you ate there! I have to know – how was the food? That was the only issue with Venice was trying to find good food. I got over it pretty fast though just because I liked the city so much! @Jon,

  25. I really enjoyed looking at these photos. And I love Venice, too. It is a special place with a fascinating history, so I always feel sad when I hear people say that they hate it.

    1. Thanks Jenna, I’m glad you liked the photos. I know, I can’t understand when people say they don’t like Venice! @Jenna,

  26. Absolutely lovely Beth! I can imagine lugging the tripod all over town. By the way, what lens are you on for these shots?

    1. Thanks David! Yeah, I actually brought a tripod w/ me on the trip to Europe I am on now and have yet to use it once! They are such a pain to travel with! I think all of these shots were with an 18-250 3.5. I kind of remember when I looked at them later thinking ‘Duh, that was pretty stupid, why’d I do that?” Because I had a 35mm 1.8 with me and it would’ve been better for the low light. oops… @David @ MalaysiaAsia,

  27. I love that you display both the good and bad parts of Venice. It gives the city more meaning and value. And you are right, despite the obvious history, she is still magnificently beautiful. Venice is first on my bucket list for travel places! Do you recommend any other places in Italy when I go?

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    1. Well I loved Venice so I def. recommend it. I also really loved Cinque Terre. Bit tougher to get to but really worth it. Hiking through the towns is like stepping back in time. You will really feel like you’ve arrived in Italy! Truth be told, anywhere in Italy is good! @EmmaculateReflections,

  28. Actually, I did was not enamoured of Venice….but your photos–that’s another story, and a beautiful one. I MUST learn how to take better night time photos. Mine are pathetic.

    1. Hi Vera,

      Oh that is too bad! I can understand in a way because during the day it is madness and hard to appreciate among the crowds. I really fell in love with Venice when walking around late at night. For night time photos try to balance your camera on something stable (bench, fence, whatever) and use the self timer to take the photo. Two tricks of the trade I use almost every time. @Vera Marie Badertscher,

  30. First of all, your photos are absolutely breathtaking. I especially adore the one of San Marco’s Plaza. Thank you for sharing.

    Second, I completely share your love for Venice. I was only there for two days as well, but there’s something utterly enchanting about the city — even during the day, too. I think the absence of cars and being surrounded by water makes you feel like you’re holding your breath in a fairy tale, never knowing what comes next.

  31. When visiting Luxembourg and Switzerland on business, we asked someone where would we go to have really good food and wine. The response? Italy. So we boarded a taxi then a train then a bus and arrived in Venice. It was January, we walked everywhere and of course went by water, a must. San Marco was deserted, the hotel was delightful and reasonable off season, the late night walks mysterious and beautiful, there were no line-ups at the galleries, no cover charge on the tables on the square, the cafes had lots of room, and best of all the food and wine was amazing. Or maybe best of all were the unimaginably beautiful and interesting vistas and glimpses everywhere: which you have captured in absolutely stunning photography. THANK YOU…I want to go back now!

    1. It sounds like you had an excellent adventure! I think you got lucky with the food though – we are here now and having a hard time finding good food in restaurants. Glad you had a different experience and so glad you like th ephotos too. πŸ™‚ @Conny Nordin,

  32. Wow, amazing images… I love the San Marco one. The simplicity of it. And looking up at the clothesline- took me a while to figure it out. And then the Gondaliers, beautiful image. Well done, might have to buy your book I think…

  34. Every-time I see new photos from you Beth, I just wanna hang out with you and talk about how awesome the planet is with you.

    Keep on rockin in the free world πŸ™‚

    1. Ok, I think you have just officially nominated yourself for best blog comment. EVER.
      Thanks for ‘getting me’ Ken and getting this song stuck in my head! Hopefully 2012 will be the year we can hang out and chat it up in real life. πŸ™‚ @Ken Kaminesky,

    1. Hi Linda, Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I am hoping to return to Venice is fall. It has been too long and I must get back to watch the sun bounce around her alleys and canals! Glad you like the photos. πŸ™‚

  36. I’ve never been to Venice before but looking at these pictures makes me want to visit. A friend of mine went a few years ago and says it was one of the best times of his life. Those cat mariachis are awesome!

    1. Thanks for commenting! So glad you like the photos of Venice. It is a very special place and I agree with your friend – one of the best places on earth! Unlike anywhere else in the world.

  37. WOW. Where have you been all my life?? Your blog is officially my new favorite. Can’t believe it took me so long to – really happy we met in Girona πŸ™‚

    Puppet photo is just awesome – love those colors!

  38. I love her too! She is amazingly wonderful and does make you feel drunk with love. Great shots!

  39. STUNNING photos! I was just there again in October (my second time) but unfortunately for only one night. I really want to go back and visit and spend more time again. If you guys ever get an apartment there I’ll come stay for a week! haha

  40. Love, love, love!! Bought your ebook last night (!)– I need to get out of Auto– and especially master low light/night shots. Photoshop is my “out of auto”, but would love to do it with the camera. Can’t wait to learn more. Also, one of my stops this summer is Venice– these photos have me counting the days.

  41. This is exactly why I love traveling to Venice. It’s just as beautiful at night as it is in the daytime. You took some amazing pictures.

    1. Thank you so much Kori! I absolutely love Venice and I’m so glad you like these photos. πŸ™‚

  43. Great photos!
    I visited Venice years ago, just during the day… I don’t have amazing memories from that time (not bad either, just not particularly memorable) but I must admit at night Venice seems to have a different charm to it.. warmer, more cosy.
    Maybe I’ll get to come and see by myself sometime.
    Cheers!

  44. Venice is a gorgeous city and you have managed to capture its essence!

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