ROWING TO MARKET

Most of my commercial work follows a tight brief. There’s planning, pre-production, making sure everything comes together exactly as envisioned.

It’s satisfying work. But possibly even more fun is when I venture out with no plan at all—just the camera and a spirit of exploration.

Cities are perfect for this. I’ll do my homework beforehand, mark a few locations I want to visit, but beyond that it’s all about discovery. Venice is one of the best places in the world for this kind of adventure. You can get lost easily (not ideal if you need a toilet or have a plane to catch), but wandering these narrow streets and canals always rewards you with another scene waiting to be captured.

That’s exactly what happened this particular morning. As I crossed yet another bridge, I came across a small back canal with a stunning 15th-century bell tower. I later learned it was the Greci Bell Tower, part of the Church of Saint George of the Greeks.

This spot was a tranquil escape from the morning bustle on the Grand Canal. Apart from the soft background noise of Venetians getting their morning coffee in nearby cafes, it was peaceful—an ideal place to watch a Venetian morning unfold.

The light that morning was bright but soft, filtered through a thin layer of clouds passing overhead. It worked beautifully with the gentle, analogous colors and rustic textures of the buildings. I set up my camera and started considering my composition

Then something caught my eye. A small rowing boat approaching in the distance. As it came closer, I could see a man standing and rowing, his wife (I presumed) sitting behind him with what looked like produce they were delivering.

I didn’t dance with delight, but I certainly came close. These are the moments you can’t plan for—the ones that transform a good photograph into something that captures real Venetian life. I continued shooting, knowing I’d captured something special.