Street shapes, Burano, Italy
Fujifilm GFX100S II, GF20-35mmF4 R WR, f8 @ 1/125 second, ISO 320

Venice is wonderful. Although it is almost a cliche of itself (whatever that really means), there's no doubt there's lots to photograph, but I feel it is a location best tackled on your own or with just a friend or two. Leading a photo tour around the streets is simply a recipe for separation!

However, a short water taxi ride away are a number of islands in the greater Venetian lagoon, such as Burano. Also cris-crossed by canals, the houses are not nearly as grand as the Venetian edifices, yet they are quaint and colourful - and very photographic. On our photo tour last year, we dodged some light rain showers and arrived early because, it really doesn't matter where you are, eventually life gets busy!

Wandering along the streets, like many photographers I gravitated towards the old and the run down. A bit like me, I guess! The patina of age, the weathered colours, the dated architecture. I find the camera angle is simple: stand straight on and keep the verticals parallel to the edges of the frame. However, within the frame, allow the eye to wander - so rather than filling the frame with a facade, I shoot along the edge of the building and include a little something on the side. The narrow roads and corners make this approach very easy in Burano.

As explained, the light was a little dull and flat, but I think this is something that can be embraced, especially when you add in a little colour. I look for colours that are already in the brick or woodwork and enhance them, creating a point of interest for the viewer's eye to catch. And don't blame me for the magenta building in the background - that was really there!

There's so much that can be done to interpret our photos in post-production, even if it's just a simple exposure adjustment. If you're interested, I've just released a new series of tutorial movies where I run through 10 travel photos, showing step by step how they were processed in Lightroom. If you're interested, you can see more on the Better Photography Education website. 

And Tony Hewitt and I have just announced our Italian road trip in October this year, which you can also find on the Better Photography website under the Photo Tours menu.