With all the alleyways and passages in Venice, Italy, there are thousands of interesting windows and doors. We often wondered what one would find if they could venture behind those doors for a glimpse of the life of those who live in Venice.
I’ve selected these photo for their shapes, colors, textures and the interesting play of light and shadows. I hope you enjoy this gallery.
The first thing that comes to mind when looking at this set is “wow, what variety.”. My home area can be filled with a lot of cookie cutter architecture. These offer great diversions. Each photo worthy on its own for plenty to explore, but as a set they offer the great sense of style and character the city has.
Absolutely right on the mark about the variety, Mark. Once I started shooting doorways and windows I became aware of an almost never ending variety. It was impossible to capture representatives of them all.
Thanks. You’ll see the standard canal and gondola photos of Venice everywhere, which I also took some of also. But there’s much more to the city and I wanted to try and capture a little of that flavor — the sights off the beaten tourist paths. I didn’t feel I was all that successful but these grouped do tell a bit of a story.
This is delightful. You have the makings of a nice little portfolio here.
Ken, thanks. There were so many interesting windows and doors I had to control myself so I wouldn’t lose myself in photographing them…plus I was trying to keep up with the others in my group so as not to get physically lost. :-)
This is a very nice collection, Earl. I can see it as a Blurb or PDF book.
I’m also very fond of windows and doors, as you know. And these photos make me want to head to Italy even more than before.
Thanks, Tom. You would love it in Italy. We were using guide books looking for good food and wine and two of our meals clearly classified as two of the best I’ve ever had. Nothing fancy but just good food…a lasagna dish & a white fish dish…outstanding!
As far as windows and doors — where here “old architecture” may go back a couple of hundred years in Italy it can go back a thousands years+…to touch a window or doorway that has been used that long is remarkable.
Most housing divisions around here are the cookie cutter type. They may have a different entry way or front window or 2 or 3 car garages but they essentially are just mass produced homes. The antiquity of Europe has so much architecture to offer the photographer it could put one in a state of confusion. I would so enjoy time there. And, yes, I really would like to venture behind those doors and windows.
Monte, I think you would have a grand time there. I know you enjoy little coffee shops and in Italy they have family owned ones on most every block…good coffee and wonderful baked sweet breads for breakfast. I miss that.
A lot of these images remind me of the narrow streets and interesting architecture of Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. As you say, they certainly aren’t as old as Venice, but the similarities are striking. Even the colors are very similar. Makes me wonder if some of our American ancestors were just copycats……….
Paul, good connection. I’m sure the early settlers tried to bring a little of “home” with them or to recreate what they were familiar and comfortable with here in the new world. It would make sense you could see those links in older cities such as Charleston and Savannah.