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LETTER OF THE WEEK
I’m currently in Venice for a month and so am surrounded by the excitement and colour of Carnivale.
The number of photographers is insane and many of those in costume have their own dedicated ‘shot master’. As an amateur in the fray, I have learnt to avoid the sharp elbows, spatially unaware phone snappers, and Piazza San Marco at the weekend. Campo San Zaccaria is a much better venue since there are a variety of good backdrops that suit most costumes, and far fewer people. Equally, the island of Burano offers a colour splash for many, although fitting into a vaporetto seat does pose problems on occasion.
Carnivale takes place during the three weeks before Lent, thus historically it was a time for excess before fasting and deprivation. For me, if you’re going to dress up, you need a full mask since it adds an air of mystery to the wearer. Perhaps that is why the event became very popular in the 17th and 18th century, when because the masks hid the identity of the wearer, secret liaisons were a feature of the day! I was using an OM System OM-1 and 12-100mm lens.
Great images, and useful advice for next year’s carnival – we’re not surprised to hear ‘shot masters’ are keeping the mob of photographers and Instagrammers in check, hopefully in a polite and helpful way. Now we’re coming into spring, we’d love to see more readers’ travel and city break shots.
Decisive moments
Further to Bill Thompson’s letter of the week I must say I am very much in his camp and, even at my advancing years, find joy in the ‘decisive
