We were recently presented with a new photography tour from Insight Vacations called Rome to London in Focus.
Photography is a passion of mine, but I have never taken any classes and realize I still have a lot to learn. There are many locations around the globe that appear on every photographer’s must shoot list, and this tour visits several of them. If this package were offered without the benefit of a professional photographer it would be a great trip – with it, priceless.
Rome is a beautiful city, but the area around the Coliseum and the Forum are the epicenter for photography. The problem is it is difficult to find the right location for a unique shot. Having the benefit of a professional photographer to help with location, composition and exposure at the Coliseum is essential. At the Forum, there are only a couple of spots which capture its magnificence. The Vatican alone is worth having a guide as you stroll past hundreds of people waiting in line to the entrance reserved for guides.
Florence is a remarkable city and easier to walk than Rome, but again there are a few must have shots and you need to know where to be to capture them. Anyone can shoot a picture of Il Duomo or Ponte Vecchio, but if you want the perfect shot, the guidance of a professional photographer is invaluable.
I have taken pictures all over Europe, but Venice was a dream. However, navigating the city is a nightmare. It is a maze of alleys and dead ends. It is frustrating to shoot there without a guide. Having the benefit of someone with experience to get to the best locations would be priceless. The guide will ensure you take amazing photos of Doges’ Palace, the Grand Canal and the Bridge of Sighs. The professional can also help you take great night photos. I took amazing photos of the sunset in Venice, but at night they were not great.
The more I read about this tour, the more I am thinking of signing up. The beautiful countryside of northern Italy, the Alps, the lake country of Switzerland and then the quaint charm of Lucerne. I could fill a memory card up with just the ride up Mount Platus.
Next you get Paris. The guide will make this special. Like the Coliseum, you don’t want the same shot of the Eiffel Tower as everyone else. A professional photographer can help you find a unique angle or exposure that will make yours special. When you tour the Louvre, look at the lighting used by the old masters. These techniques are as important in today’s photography as it was then.
Finally, you end up in London. Having a guide to get you through all of the wonderful places in London in a single day is a huge thing, and the fact that the guide is a local makes it invaluable. Take amazing pictures of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace just to name a few.
As someone who has traveled and photographed most of these locations, they are at the top of my list to revisit. If only I had the benefit of a professional photographer as I trudged through trying to find the right angles on my own. On the other hand, at least I have a good excuse as to why I need to go back to visit these fascinating countries. This Rome to London photographic tour through Europe is a once in a lifetime experience. Don’t miss it. You may see me there.
