A few weeks ago I decided to take a 4 hour beginners photography course. Partly because I wanted to improve my photography skills and party because Rome is a city that deserves a decent photograph. I used to have a bit of a phobia about taking photographs having witnessed during my travels people who viewed their trips through a lens, rather than simply taking in and enjoying where they were without a camera glued to their face. It may also be because I’m rubbish at photography.


    As the only novice in our group, I discovered what I already knew that I am unable to take decent photographs. I could blame my point and shoot camera, but I just don’t have ‘the eye’ to see, or realise, a good shot. It is incredibly difficult for someone to teach you how to see. We were taking exactly the same photographs, but Martine’s are far better than mine. 

LucaDellaValle © 2013

   I did try to learn. Our teacher Luca was patient, interesting and informed, not only about photography but also the history of the sites we were photographing. I learnt about finding the thirds, trying to put a point of interest where the horizontal and vertical lines meet. I think. Luca kept telling me, “You need a subject, you need detail, you’re just taking backgrounds.” But I LIKE taking backgrounds. I’m not good at the details, I like a bigger picture. I don’t want to get up close and personal with the subject. I don’t want to get down and dirty (although I did lay on the floor of a crypt to get one shot). It’s my English reserve I suppose. 

Seriously would you want to get any closer to this subject just for the reflection?

   There is something about Rome though that is just calling to be photographed, to be remembered. But sometimes the beauty is overwhelming. There is just so much to see in Rome. So much that is beautiful. So much that you can miss. Especially for someone like me, without an eye for the detail.

   For those of you who are more at ease with a camera, more creative and fancy a tour of Rome with a different perspective, you should definitely give Luca a call. Contact him through his website for information http://www.lucadellavalle.net/bio.php.

The many ages of Rome