Architectural street photography of Italian Porticoes in Bologna

Best Towns for Street Photography In Italy

Italy is renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and picturesque landscapes, providing a captivating backdrop for street photography. From the vibrant porticoes of Bologna to the quaint alleyways of Perugia, every corner of Italy offers its unique aesthetic for street photography. In this blog, we will explore some of the best towns in Italy for street photography, where you can capture the essence of daily life in this beautiful country.

Bologna, often overlooked by tourists, but is easily my favourite Italian town for street photography. The city’s medieval architecture- particularly the marvellous arched porticoes, create an interesting backdrop for locals going about their day to day life.  

Architectural street photography of bologna porticoes
Architectural street photography of Italian Porticoes in Bologna

The best time to day for street photography in Bologna is during mid morning or afternoon. At this time, the sun is at the right angle to be directed down through the buildings to create this soft lighting against the deep orange stone. It also can create some interesting geometric patterns within the shadows of the archways.   

Architectural street photography of Italian Porticoes in Bologna

My best tip for street photography in Bologna is to wander around until you find a location that you like as a backdrop. It’s a great way to take time to explore the city. Then it’s a bit of a patience game as you wait for the right subject to enter your frame. I like to use locals riding old bicycles or older men or women who tend to be well dressed, in more traditional attire.

Siena

Siena’s narrow medieval streets and alleys offer a treasure trove of photography opportunities. The warm hues of the brick buildings against the ancient streets really convey the history of Italy in a photograph. Something that I love about Siena is that cars are heavily restricted within the city walls. There is nothing worse than trying to capture the ancient beauty of an old Italian town to have a bunch of cars ruining the shot. Finding a good subject is key to a great street photograph in Siena.  Candid photographs of the locals going about their day can add depth to your visual storytelling, such as this woman in a red trench coat. 

Street photography in Siena, Italy

Perugia

Perugia is often overlooked by its neighbours in Tuscany, but it’s one of the best towns for street photography, especially with so few tourists around. The medieval streets of Perugia are adorned with arches and charming squares, making it a timeless backdrop for capturing life in Italy. 

Similarly to Siena, the ancient streets of Perugia are lit up so beautifully at night. The main square Piazza IV Novembre is a photographer’s delight. I love playing with compositions and using the stairs as leading lines toward Fontana Maggiore in the middle of the square. 

The best time to photograph Siena is at night, or during blue hour. The street lights give the town an eerie glow about it. Using these streetlights with the right subject, like this woman in a red trench coat, can create an interesting play on light and shadow, giving dimension to the photo.

Street photography of Perugia
Perugia street photography

Being a hilltop village, Perugia is full of these narrow streets with long curved staircases. They create an interesting geometric structure for photography, creating leading lines to guide your attention to different areas of the photograph- particularly when using interesting subjects. 

Orvieto

Orvieto is a charming and historic town located in the Umbria region of central Italy. Perched atop a volcanic rock cliff, Orvieto offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. 

When visiting Italy, many tourists will base themselves in a larger city like Florence or Rome and visit the smaller towns during the day. However, most of the small villages- such as Orvieto, are far more stunning at night time, especially for photography. At night, the atmosphere of the town changes as the tour buses leave, and you really get to become immersed in the life of the locals.

Vanessa Claire Photography

Orvieto has a well-preserved medieval character, with narrow winding streets, charming piazzas, and historical buildings. Exploring Orvieto feels like stepping back in time, offering a different atmosphere compared to larger and more modern Italian cities. You can spend hours getting lost wandering around the ancient streets of this charming city.

Vanessa Claire Photography

The Duomo di Orvieto is what separates this town from others in this region. This Cathedral is a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. The façade is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, making it a unique and awe-inspiring sight. The interior is equally impressive, featuring works by renowned artists. 

cappella-san-brizio-volta-pareti
Duomo di Orvieto at night

Martina Franca

Martina Franca’s charm lies in its labyrinth of streets, lined with whitewashed houses. Many of these houses feature intricate wrought iron balconies, colourful ceramic tiles, and charming courtyards. Wandering through these streets is a delight for street photographers.

Martina Franca is one of the so-called citta’ bianche (white towns) of Puglia. It owes its name to a beautiful whitewashed neighbourhood that develops immediately below the main square.

The most notable building in Martina Franca is Basilica di San Martino. This 18th-century basilica is a prime example of Apulian Baroque architecture. Its facade features ornate columns, statues, and a grand rose window. There are many angles of this building that work well, but I particular like the location as shown below. The way the streets and nearby buildings hug the Basilica create wonderful leading lines to guide your attention to the masterpiece. 

Architectural photography of Basilica di San Martino

As you wander through this town, you will find a myriad of Baroque architecture and secret alleyways that make fantastic backdrops to capture locals going about their day. Martina Franca’s depth of history is clearly marked by its well-preserved buildings and monuments. 

martina-franca-duomo-street-photography
Street photography of Martina Franca

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