Venice is a magical place and it is very hard to describe it to someone who hasn’t been there. There is a feel to the “city” that is unlike anywhere else I have been. Venice actually lies in a lagoon that is protected from the sea by thin strips of land that have three small inlets. Rather than an island, Venice is actually made up of 124 small islands connected by small bridges.
Venice is a favorite destination for tourists who arrive by plane, water taxi and cruise ships. This particular morning, I got up at dawn and wandered out onto the Grand Canal. This is one of the few times you can avoid the crowds of tourists and get some shots without worrying about bumping into someone. I noticed this artist that had the same idea and was painting the scene. As I began to shoot a few photos of the artist, I noticed this large cruise ship being towed down the Grand Canal out to sea by a little tugboat. It was an amazing scene that I never saw coming. I think I enjoy the images that were a result of just dumb luck the best.
As I edited the photo, I wanted to give it a painterly feel and I am happy with the result.
There is a great video that explains how Venice “works” and needs to be constantly maintained.
Len just amazing. It’s so funny you posted this picture. I was watching the same sight yesterday and awed at the fact that this small tugboat was towing this huge cruise ship. Simply fabulous image. Not that I’m rushing my vacation but I can hardly wait to get home and start processing my shots.
What a beauty, Len.
This is fantastic. I really like the feel of this image. Nice processing.
Love the processing Len and really like the warm feel!
Very cool Len! I like the man standing on the right
Wow. Even in the grand canal, you never picture or imagine such a huge vessel coming through Venice. Great moment.
Love the processing here man, the reflections in the ship windows are awesome
Again I feel the HDR effect is too strong here. It is far to obvious that it is HDR, and almost looks fake.
Top drawer my friend! I think the processing is spot on and you really get a great sense of the details to enjoy.
That’s one massive ship! You are so lucky to have gone to Venice. Europe is at the top of my Bucket list. Nice shot!
Great shot and processing Len!
Wonderful shot Len - I love the composition… perfect with the little tugboat, church in the background and of course the cruise ship! You’re so right about capturing moments like this unexpectedly… and I agree - they’re the best!
Wonderful candid shot Len. I love the spontaneity and your excitement about the moment you captured that is yours alone! Beautiful light and post processing choices.
Wow, big ship! Great capture. You really caught the enormous size of that ship spot on! it is something else to see these monsters at sea, barreling down on your warship as you steam ahead… Goods stuff!
What a great shot Len. Great sense of scale, and its captured and framed very well. I also like your choice of processing on this one.
Very nice shot. The ship seems that much bigger knowing where it actually is, and I really like how the sun reflects off the ship windows.
I like the look of the image in addition to the content. The large ship in the context of all the other elements really makes for an interesting shot.