Florence Photo Tours
Testimonials
Susan:
We had a great trip and I have some great Florence pictures thanks to you. Alison and I enjoyed meeting and walking and shooting with you.
Jim
Photography in Florence
The Fratelli Alinari Museum of the History of Photography was inaugurated in 1985 by Sandro Pertini, President of the Republic of Italy. This was the first large museum ever in Italy in which the history of photography and its instruments were collected.
The Alinari Museum currently has in its custody 900,000 vintage prints, including salted paper calotypes, daguerreotypes, albumen prints, bromide prints, charcoal prints. The Malandrini, Palazzoli, Gabba, Reteuna, Zannier, Favrod collections have poured into the Museum holding. Not to mention one of the most cospicuous albums collection,over 6,000 pieces, and an extraordinary whole of antique cameras, lenses and lab instruments besides a collection of containers and period frames.all found their way to the museum and there is also an extraordinary collection of albums (over 5,100) and one of antique.
Many works by the great nineteenth- and twentieth-century photographers are also in the museum, including Alinari, Anderson, Brogi, Caneva, Nunes Vais, Primoli, Puccini, Ponti, Naya, Wulz, Mollino, Gabinio, Morpurgo, Miniati, Trombetta, Peretti Griva, Tuminello, Antonio and Felice Beato, Balocchi, MacPherson, Sommer, Fenton, Robertson, Sebah, Bernoud, Flacheron, Von Gloeden, Noack and many many others.
Your Photo Mentor
Susan is a photojournalis with over a decade of field experience. She has recorded the lives of the people of Palestine, Israel, Iraq, and other theaters of conflict and war. Brannon's photographs are simple about people: their passions, their struggles, their lives. She writes "I am interested in gathering the truth of events, the behind the scenes stories, rather than the mainstream headline news. Susan's work is influenced by a background in archeology, anthropology, and international development: all studies in the change and growth of culture and humanity. Her images create an intimacy between subject and viewer beyone the norm of a typical journalistic imagery. She does this by not just being a outsider to an event, but instead working as an active and engaged participant in the lives she records. Susan Brannon has freelanced as a stringer for both Reuters and AP; has contracted with International NGO's; and recently has been producing photography workshops. Brannon is also the founder and director of the Crossing Borders Project, an internationally traveling exhibition of images and text recorded by and about the lives and struggles of under represented groups.
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Adventures thru the Lens in Florence.
Imagine yourself walking around Florence, the city of Renaissance, with an expert photographer making great pictures and visiting beautiful places while enjoying fabulous food and Italian culture. Photo Adventurer offers you a truly unique experience in an extraordinary setting and a rare opportunity to ask the expert about camera techniques used by world-class professionals.
Discover the beauty of the cradle of Renaissance art and learn how to get beautiful photos.
Our English- speaking photographer has in-depth local knowledge and a passion to explore.
So bring your walking shoes and be prepared to discover the mysteries of the city. Bring your camera and learn how to have more fun with your camera.
Private Tours:
Available:Daily On Request
Duration: 3 1/2 hrs
Cost: 300€ for groups of 1-4 people
Multi Day Packages possible
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Birth of the Renaissance
You will take a walk down historic Renaissance from the beginning at SS Annunziata through Florence stopping at unique archtectural highlights and capture geometric angles and designs through the lens. As we walk through the narrow streets you will find pleasant archtectural surprises that will complel you to find a way to frame your image that will reflect what you see. Along the way, we can stop for a refreshing cup of coffee or the best ice cream shop in Florence! We will work on abstract compositions using lines, patterns and designs as well as taking a look at the "local" scene to capture some culture of not only buildings but of people.
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Annunziata Square to S.Trinita Bridge
Tour Code: MT-FLOR-PH1
SS. Annunziata Square
Considered one of the most beautiful squares of Florence with its Renaissance lines like the Ospedale degli Innocenti portico designed by Brunelleschi in the beginning of XV century. This was the first orphanage in Europe and the first renaissance building built in Florence.
Brunelleschi’s design of geometric order became an important element in Renaissance architecture. Because of the harmonious design flooded with soft arches that create the perfect challenge in capturing the beauty and birth of Brunelleschi’s ideal.
Photographic Themes:
* Using negative and open space photography
* Using shadows to enhance your compositions
The Duomo (S. Maria del Fiore)
We walk a little down the street. You see the beautiful glimmer of the Duomo like a glowing auburn tent light. That "piece" of the Duomo, is a wonderful moment because it is a "hidden gem" in the midst of all various types of construction! The Duomo's lines and colors make a good candidate for learning abstract compositions using lines, patterns and textures. It is also an area where many "locals" ride their bicycles, making way for learning "panning"! Built in 1296 it took 150 years to complete and now one of the symbols of Florence in the world. To achieve this Brunelleschi developed a new building method creating one of the greatest engineering results of all the times.
Photographic Themes:
* Create abstract images with Lines, Patterns and textures
* How to capture complexly designed, highly linear subjects
* Five steps to achieve panning in photography
Repubblica Square
Site of the ancient forum, the core of the original Roman settlement and, now home of Florence most fashionable and expensive cafés like Paszkowsky and still the centre of the life in the town. Take a coffee break on a rooftop at the square from one of the best coffee spots in town!
Photographic Themes:
* Work with cityscapes and
* Window photography
Orsanmichele
Originally a grain market that became a church at the end of XIV century, after the arcades were closed and two additional stories added; the statues on the exterior represent the work of many Renaissance artists. Actually, the Orsanmichele is one of its kind in Florence, the design is of Gothic European Style, although built during the Renaissance period. The arches are sharp decorated with elaborate and elegant designs while the sides of the buildings are embedded with statues of Saint Patrons of the Church. The patrons represent the common citizenry such as bakers, doctors, wood and stone workers, linen weavers and peddlers. It is with this design that the opportunity comes to learn to take images using angles and lines creating unique abstract images, while the faces of the statues look down upon your lens.
Photographic Theme:
* Working with Angles and lines
Signoria Square
A central point of the political life through the centuries with Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress like city hall and the huge Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati; all the statues like Michelangelo’s David and the ones in the Loggia dei Lanzi makes it like a sort of an outdoor gallery. The square is attached to the galleries of the Uffizi, where tall arches frame the Arno river.
When looking at the statues in the square, I can only imagine their witness to the historical happenings that occurred in front of them. (This is when one might say, “If statues could talk”) Their eyes glare down upon the crowds like the mighty Gods that they were meant to represent, and in turn the crowds smile back up to them. Looking up at the Perseus silhouetted with the triangular lines in the arched ceilings is where one can discover the face of the Renaissance. You can walk down through the Uffizi gallery towards the Arno, and see it full of life, human statues line the arches, all dressed in white standing still while their eyes roam hoping to gather a few coins. On the other end of the gallery, a lone guitarist sings and plays classic rock filling the air with his creativity. Immigrants line the streets with their wares, in hopes to make a quick sale, ready at any moment to run if the police decide to appear. Tourist from all walks of life, flood the square and gallery, looking up at the statues, looking down at the old stones, and looking ahead at the Arno.
Photographic Themes:
* How to take images of statues from different angles.
* Telling a story
San Lorenzo Church
One of the best examples of Renaissance in Florence but close to the church there is also one of the most popular market in the town; inside the building you can find a food market and outside clothes and other articles. This is where the faces blend, locals, tourists and immigrants all merge into one place to buy and sell wares. The market bursts with colors, textures, and activity. Here is where one can find the local and traditional taste of Florence.
Photographic Themes:
* Street photography and the best way to take images in public places
* Street photography ethics and legal considerations
* How to take amazing images in markets
Trinita Bridge
Built in its elegant curves by Ammannati in XVI century, probably using Michelangelo’s drawings, but was rebuilt in 1952, using again the original stones, after being destroyed during the second-world war.
The S. Trinita Bridget is the perfect spot to get the best view the Ponte Vecchio bridge in the early evening when the sun is starting to creep under the horizon. First, you can see the watermelon glow on the buildings and second, Reflections radiate from all sides of the Arno River and at the same time, the reflections from the Ponte Vecchio glimmers before you. This is the landmark of Florence, and here is where you can find your best “See I was in Florence!” shots.
Photographic Themes:
* Learn to work with reflections
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Ponte Veccio Route
I Giardini di Boboli is the home to a distinguished collection of sculptures dating from the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries with some Roman antiquities. There are fountains, semi-private and public spaces lined with avenues both large and small. The avenues are lined with gardens, trees that weave into the Florentine hills. We will focus on nature, cityscapes, sculptures, local cats and reflections. We will be spending most of our time in the Boboli Gardens and if we are not tired and still have time we can roam through the city streets and grab a glass of water or coffee! Be sure to bring a hat, and bottle of water! Particularly good at sunset.
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Ponte Veccio Route
Tour Code: MT-FLOR-PH2
Boboli Gardents
I think the Boboli Gardens are one of the most beautiful sites in Florence outside of the Uffizi in collections of beauty and archectually interesting than the Ponte Vecchio. Is an achievement of landscape architecture, it is the designer’s focus on the way we can see nature that makes Boboli such a masterpiece in a town stuffed to the rafters with priceless art. This is a place where you can spend an entire day or most of an afternoon as a refuge away from the bustling crowds at the Duomo and other packed galleries. The Boboli was once the garden of Italian kings and was built by a Renessance merchant. In the garden we will find a fountain of Neptune, Egyptian Oblisk, Grotto made of Mannerist style decorated with stalactites. Of course, the famous statue of the Dwarf Morgant by Valerio Cigol. The avenues are lined with luxuriant vegation, statues, and fountians.
Photographic Themes:
* Photographing outdoor sculpture and
* garden photography.
Ponte Vecchio
Pitti and Boboli are in Florence’s Oltrarno district, south of the Arno River. We will stroll down quaint streets that are normally overlooked by tourists on the way to the Ponte Vecchio and stop for a coffee and rest while viewing and discussing our photographs from the gardens. The Ponte Vecchio is a 14th century bridge that houses jewelry shops.
Photographic themes:
* How to take pictures of people in a crowd
* How to take pictures of buildings and structures in a crowd.
Signoria square
A central point of the political life through the centuries with Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress like city hall and the huge Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati; all the statues like Michelangelo’s David and the ones in the Loggia dei Lanzi makes it like a sort of an outdoor gallery. The square is attached to the galleries of the Uffizi, where tall arches frame the Arno river. When looking at the statues in the square, I can only imagine their witness to the historical happenings that occurred in front of them. (This is when one might say, “If statues could talk”) Their eyes glare down upon the crowds like the mighty Gods that they were meant to represent, and in turn the crowds smile back up to them. Looking up at the Perseus silhouetted with the triangular lines in the arched ceilings is where one can discover the face of the Renaissance.
Photographic themes:
* Improving your statue images, faces, people and expressions
* framing images using structures.
Republica Square
Site of the ancient forum, the core of the original Roman settlement and, now home of Florence most fashionable and expensive cafés like Paszkowsky and still the centre of the life in the town. Finalize our tour with a coffee break on a rooftop at the square from one of the best coffee spots in town and review our experiences!
Photographic Themes:
* Work with cityscapes and
* Window photography
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