Venice Carnival Photography: Tips, Gear & History

The Venice Carnival is a timeless event steeped in tradition and rich in history. Every year, visitors worldwide flock to the city to witness the elaborate masks, sumptuous costumes, and unforgettable atmosphere. For photographers, it's an opportunity to capture some truly stunning images. Whether you're a professional or amateur photographer, the Venice Carnival offers many opportunities to capture breathtaking moments. In this guide, we'll look closely at some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Venice Carnival photography experience.

You can also check my photography workshops during the Carnival

Here are some tips for photographers looking to capture the best of the Venice Carnival:

1. Plan Your Trip Carefully

The Venice Carnival takes place over several days in February, and the best time to go will depend on a variety of factors, including your interests and the type of photography you're hoping to do. For example, if you're interested in capturing the parades, it's best to go on the weekends, when the main events take place. If you're more interested in the street photography and candid moments, you might want to go midweek when the crowds are smaller.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Venue

Before you head to the Venice Carnival, spend some time researching the different areas of the city where the events are taking place. This will help you get a feel for the best locations to shoot from and give you an idea of the lighting conditions you'll be working with. You might also want to scout out some of the iconic locations around the city, such as Piazza San Marco or the Grand Canal, which can provide a stunning backdrop for your photos.

3. Prepare Your Equipment

Photographing the Venice Carnival can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you're not used to shooting in low light conditions. It's important to bring the right equipment for the job, including a camera that is capable of handling low light, fast lenses, and plenty of extra batteries and memory cards. You might also want to bring a tripod or stabilizer to help keep your shots steady.

4. Be Prepared for Crowds

The Venice Carnival is a busy event, and you'll need to be prepared for crowds if you're planning on getting up close to the action. Make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes, and consider bringing a backpack or shoulder bag to carry your equipment. You'll also need to be prepared to move quickly and be flexible with your shooting locations, as the crowds can be unpredictable.

5. Experiment with Different Techniques

The Venice Carnival provides a unique opportunity to experiment with different photography techniques, such as slow-shutter speeds, panning shots, and even light painting. Don't be afraid to try something new, as the colorful and dynamic atmosphere of the carnival can provide a perfect backdrop for experimenting with different styles.

6. Get Creative with Your Compositions

Finally, don't be afraid to get creative with your compositions when photographing the Venice Carnival. Take advantage of the unique architecture and landscapes around the city, and try to capture the costumes, masks, and performers from interesting angles. The key to great carnival photography is to think outside the box and find new and exciting ways to showcase the magic of the event.

In conclusion, the Venice Carnival is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for photographers to capture this magical city's essence and the festival's excitement. By preparing, experimenting with your camera, and being patient, you’ll surely come back with some stunning shots that will last a lifetime.

Check my photography workshops during the Carnival

Venetian Carnival Masks

The Venetian Carnival is fast approaching and you are looking on a way to make a Mask Creating a Venetian papier mache mask

• Cut newspapers into strips

• In a pan, mix a quantity of flour in an equal amount of water; boil

• When the mixture is smooth, remove it from the stove and let it cool

• Take a blown-up balloon and cover it with oil

• Dip the newspaper strips into the mixture and put on the balloon (3 or 4 coats)

• Put the mask aside for 24 hours.

• When the mask has dried, using a cutter, cut out openings for the eyes, nose and mouth

• Decorate

or the best way is to get one from one of the Masks shops in Venice….

20 Great Things to do in Venice 8/20 – Buy a Carnival Mask

Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition of Venice, Italy. The masks are typically worn during the Carnevale (Carnival of Venice), but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer's identity and social status. For a list of what to do during Carnival check my previous post The mask would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside the bounds of identity and everyday convention. It was useful for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters.

Venetian masks are characterized by their ornate design, featuring bright colours such as gold or silver and the use of complex decorations in the baroque style. Many designs of Venetian masks stem from Commedia dell'arte. They can be full-face masks (e.g. the bauta) or eye masks (e.g. the Columbina). Other types of masks are Medico della Peste, (The Plague Doctor), Moretta and Volto

One of my favorite shops for Masks is Ca del Sol in Fondamenta Osmarin near Ponte dei Greci..

Another very nice shop is "La bottega dei Mascareri", of brothers Sergio and Massimo Boldrin, located at the foot of the Rialto bridge in Venice since 1984, offers authentic masks worked in a centuries-old craft.

if you have any recommended shop please do add it in the comments or send us an email and we will add it.....

Volo dell'Angelo or Flight of the Angel

The Flight of the Angel is an event usually held on Shrove Thursday of Carnival (grasso) this has its roots due to an event that happened in the mid 16th century. In those years, during various exhibitions, a Turkish acrobat did something that stupefied the Venetians.With the only aid of a pole he walked on a rope from a boat tied in Riva degli Schiavoni to the top of St. Mark’s Tower and then from the tower to the Doges Palaces balcony, as a tribute to the doge.

A Venetian girl performs as 'Colombina' during the Volo dell'Angelo, as she flies down from San Marco Tower to the square during the official opening of Venice Carnival (Marco Secchi)

The exhibition changed its name and became “The Flight of the Turk”, it has been held every year with various changes, first it was made only by professional acrobats and lately by common people that wanted to show their ability and bravery.

The exhibition name changed into “The Flight of the Angel” when for the first time an acrobat dressed with angel wings tied to a rope was let down the tower, at the end of the descent the doge himself gave the angel impersonator a gift.

The event changed its name again into “Volo della Colombina” (“The Flight of the dove”) starting from 1759. In that year the acrobat dressed as the angel fell down over  the horrified crowd.Since then a wooden dove substitute the men.After the fall of the Republic the event was banned (as many other traditions) until recent times.

Starting from 2001 “The flight of the Dove” become again “The Flight of the Angel” with the reintroduction of a real person instead of the wooden dove, staging the old ritual of the homage of the  sceptre to the Doge. This announced the beginning of the Carnival of Venice with a triumph of confetti and coloured air balloons. The event is now held on the week-end previous to Shrove Thursday and marks the beginning of the festivities.

Opening of the Venice Carnival 2012

Grand toast at the wine fountain

The carnival starts off with a grand toast at the wine fountain, with masks, costumes and traditional dances.

The bull has arrived

A huge bull, Carnival 2012 Allegory, has arrived in Venice. The Allegory is inspired by ancient rites of the venetian lagoon, linked to the antique celebration of the bulls. The Bull will be Venice carnival main symbol, until the last day, Tuesday the 21st, when the Bull will become the protagonist of a ritual of “sacrifice”.

The tradition of the Bull The Carnival of Venice 2012 wants to recall one of the episodes about the history and tradition of the real meaning of "feast" in Venice. In 1162, the patriarch of Aquileia, Urlico from Teffen, allied to some pro-imperial feudatories in the Friuli and occupied the flourishing salt plans of Grado, forcing  Enrico Dandolo to escape. Dandolo, patriarch of Grado fled to Venice, where he asked for help. The Doge of Venice, Vitale Michiel II, answered to this assault by besetting and conquering Aquileia and making Ulrico, the patriarch of Aquileia, his prisoner, along with 12 landowners and 12 clergy. To regain his freedom, Patriarch agreed to submit to any lien: venetians asked Aquileia Patriarch, every year, in the occasion of  Maundy Thursday, to deliver them one bull, 12 breads and 12 pigs to use for a public show in the square.

In the morning of Maundy Thursday, a venetian "tauromachia" (bullfight) took place; during this ritual, the "corpo de' Fabbri"  who had distinguished themselves in battles against Ulrico, had the had the privilege to cut the head of the bull using spears and scimitars, for the glory of the town and Venice.

The traditional event, one of the first to be institutionally included in the Carnival of Venice, was abolished in 1520 by Doge Andrea Gritti, but was revived from 1550 until the fall of the "Serenissima in one version of bullfighting, but without the 12 pigs that do not "were decorated Lordship to ours. "