Bacino di San Marco During Acqua Alta

Bacino di San Marco, Acqua Alta

This photo was taken at the Bacino di San Marco which is the conjunction of the Piazzetta San Marco and the Venetian Lagoon (there are maps in my book, Reflections of Venice, which show where these places are – I do recommend the book for the maps alone). It was in late November or early December during acqua alta the high tides which flood the city at times. It was a beautiful sunrise. And it was c-o-l-d!

The story behind the photo

I was in Venice in the middle of winter specifically because I needed photos of acqua alta to complete my bookReflections of Venice – Art and Beauty in the Water. There is, of course, an app for following acqua alta and knowing when the tide is going to be high and where. So I had rolled out of bed early knowing that the tide was going to be high. There were quite a lot of photographers around capturing the unusual sight. Most were standing around with tripods, well scarved, gloved and hatted and waiting for the sun to rise.

I, however, wanted reflections! One of the ways to capture really good reflections is to have your camera virtually at ground level, so I was mostly lying on the freezing, damp paving stones waiting for the right moment. Several times I had to get up quickly to escape getting drenched by the water pouring in over the flag stones – the tide was rising. Sometimes when you are looking through the camera’s viewfinder you don’t really see your immediate environment (i.e. the waves coming in) until it’s too late!

It was really cold. The things we do in the name of art sometimes!

The above images show some of the approaches taken by other photographers on the same day. I must admit the one with his scarf around his camera did cause me to chuckle. I am sure there is some valid technical reason for wrapping your camera in a scarf that I just am too ignorant to know about… I can think of keeping the battery warm. But the lens? Oh well. The other chap was barefooted because he had not gone to the trouble of bringing boots or waders. I think he was an Aussie. “Cold?” I asked him as I stood ankle deep in water wearing some sort of boot covers I had brought with me on the trip, and he sort of nodded bleakly and shivered and I believe I could hear his teeth chattering. I’m amazed he didn’t get frostbite!

Here you can see the full version of the main image (click on the images to see a larger version) and another one taken in the same area earlier in the morning. I think the one on the left gives you a better idea of how cold it was.

This is a video I shot mostly on that same morning. I won’t say I got drenched. It’s easy to exaggerate these things! But I was pretty damp and it was very cold (as mentioned).

I have a secret actually. I carry a little Sony RX 100 Mark V with me. It’s a great little point and shoot camera, 20+ megapixels and a good lens. Shoots 4K video. But the great feature it has is an articulated LCD screen which you can flip out so you can hold it at ground level and just be crouching or kneeling instead of lying on the ground. I used it quite a lot for these shoots. You still get wet but not as wet!

Now you know everything!

If you would like a copy of the print, it is for sale in my shop here (archival paper, canvas or metal). I’ve printed it on metal and it looks really amazing. It’s also in my book Reflections of Venice – Art and Beauty in the Water which you can get here if you don’t already have it or on iBooks if you have an iPad or a Mac. 

I am always keen to hear from you. You can contact me any time with questions or feedback.

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