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Short break to Rome.

Jimothy

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I'm taking a short break to ROme shortly.

ANybody got any advice on places I must shoot?
 
Jimothy said:
I'm taking a short break to ROme shortly.

ANybody got any advice on places I must shoot?
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Anywhere and everywhere is the simple answer. But perhaps more practical advice would be:
  1. Any of the streets in the historical centre of Rome as they're full of interesting people and buildings. I'd concentrate on the smaller side streets rather than the main roads which are full of cars
  2. Inside the Vatican museum (very fast film and no flash obviously, and start queueing at 7am...)
  3. The Piazza Navona is a favourite of mine because, there are loads of people and interesting buildings again, and also the wonderful Bernini Fountain of the Rivers
  4. ...and anywhere else that takes your fancy...

Don't forget to take plenty of film and drink plenty of real coffee while you're there
 
Agree with the above. I was there two months ago and it is a stunning city. Trastevere, which is perhaps a bit less touristic than other parts is a great area just on the south side of the main town with lots of winding lanes, old buildings, many friendly restraunts, (cheaper than town), and lots of great bars. The Santa Maria church in Trastevere, (Piazza St. Maria), is beautiful. If you haven't booked a hotel yet, consider hiring an appartment in this area. You'll instantly feel at home and be very relaxed!
Have fun
Mike
PS.It's an obvious choice, but the Pantheon is a must.
 
Agree with the above. Basically anywhere!

It sounds touristy, but you can't not go to the colosseum - though there will be many tourists to dodge I suppose. Can be a challenge to do something of your own with a well-worn subject. But even it you don't take any pics be sure not to miss it (difficult to miss I guess). It is wonderful, though.

I went to Rome in August and advise you to take note of what Ian says about water - it can be really hot at this time of year.

hello, by the way

edit: just re-read Ian's post and he said coffee not water! Must have been my own thoughts making me read the words wrong. Yes, coffee AND water...
 
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catem said:
...go to the colosseum...
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Yes definitely the Colosseum, but be prepared for long queues... I shot two rolls of fabulous photos there when I was last in Rome. But like an idiot I trusted my camera's light meter and every shot was a dud :-( The one's that get away are always the best ;-)
 
It depends how long you will stay in my favourite town....
and what you want to shoot.....
 
I just spent a week in Rome & I would advise you to read up as much as you can and concentrate on a few sites - I found that there was just too much to see and ended up firing off the camera just because I felt I should. I suggest you take the widest lens you have for the likes of the Colosseum and the Pantheon & I found that Rome wakes up quite late (compared to London) & got my best 'landscape' shots between 7 and 8 am when the roads and streets were surprisingly quiet (I did go this month which is the traditional holiday month). The various open-topped bus trips are a useful way of a quick rece of the main sites and only take a couple of hours.
Personally I was uninterested in the Vatican, I don't particularly like organised religion and the imperialist architecture of the area did nothing for me.
It was in the low 30s when we went, not too bad, and don't forget that every bar is obliged by law to provide free drinking water on request; far more ecologically friendly than purchasing over-priced drinking water in plastic bottles.
 
Jimothy you are lucky because if you will go in Rome during August you will find town desert of Romans and with some tourists.
Could be interesting make snapshot of street life in the Historical centre or in some near the centre suburbs, like Testaccio full of life also during this month.
For monuments I suggest to enter in the Foro ruins when it open around 8.30 A.M. and try to be on the Palatino colle to make photos of the astonishing ruins you will find, you will have materials for one day.
You can also make a short trip on Appia antica road and walking in the magic air early in the morning to avoid hot during the day, you could use a taxi or a bus, depends where is your accomodation.
I think these could be the main theme.
Enjoy Rome and let we see your photos.
 
Jim - have you gone yet? Have fun - and show some pics when you come back.....( as you're a member it could be on this thread if not in the gallery? Or elsewhere. ..)
 
catem said:
Jim - have you gone yet? Have fun - and show some pics when you come back.....( as you're a member it could be on this thread if not in the gallery? Or elsewhere. ..)
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Good job I didn't come here to avoid you isn'y it, Cate?
Oops - I'm assuming you are the same Cate that I think you are?

No I havent gone yet - another couple of weeks of enduring the British summer first.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I will look at those locations before I go and decide which ones most tickle my fancy.

But actually I'm taking my wife for her 40th birthday - so I will have to go where I'm told to a (very large) extent.
 
Jimothy said:
Does anyone else have any suggestions for Rome before I go?
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Perhaps you might mention where you are staying and what things might be of interest to you. (or you wife) A bad habit of mine is collecting old travel guides. (e.g., 19th c. Baedeker guides) Rome encourages an enjoyable pastime associated with this hobby, lunching somewhere guide in hand and for a moment experiencing the passage of time in a timeless place.
 
We are staying at the Dei Borgonogni between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. So far as what interests us - we want to find the quintessential Rome - whatever that is.
It's our first time in Rome, so we wantto get a flavour of the place.
 
Rome is a small city, (ignoring the modern suburbs) so don't worry about your location. As I wrote earlier, read up and decide what you want to see and shoot. If you want crowded tourist attractions then Trevi will fill your bill. If you want wider landscapes, get up early and be ready and waiting.
 
Your location will certainly put you close to many of the "things to see." I would suggest picking up a guidebook and/or a map to help navigate. My Rome geography is a little hazy, but I believe you could walk from your location to the Pantheon, Colosseum and other spots. If not, a couple of stops on the Metro would do it.

Since you're from the UK, I guess truly old buildings may be less exciting. Here in the US, something "ancient" likely only dates to 1700 or so, I was quite blown away by buildings two and three times as old, as well as the ruins that go back millennia.

No matter what you do, I'm sure you'll bring back some good memories -- and pictures -- although it's hard to photograph the flavor of gelato.

DaveT
 
Jimothy said:
We are staying at the Dei Borgonogni between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. So far as what interests us - we want to find the quintessential Rome - whatever that is.
It's our first time in Rome, so we wantto get a flavour of the place.
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Mark is right, Trevi will likely be teeming with people (as will the Spanish Steps). I would say that both are worth a look, however I am also a tourist and not a local. I think the coin thing works though, I did it as a child and have returned many times since. (I have of course also placed my hand in the Boca della Verita.) Perhaps you might try the Campo de Fiori, go early for the market and again late for the people.
 
Well, I'm back.

Thanks for everyone for their suggestions, we went to some places that we would have missed if it were not for you guys.

The hotel was just 2 minutes walk from the Trevi fountain, which seemed to be full of people at any and all hours. Pics were just the typical holiday snaps - no masterpieces this time - but its an excellent place to visit. Due to the airport style security absolutely everywhere (including the airports) I think that some of my films have been damaged by x-rays. Que sera, sera.

Here's the obvious view of St. Peter's Square shot with the M6 and scanned.
 

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Did you pitch a coin in the fountain? I'm sorry to hear about the film damage but glad your trip was a success.
 
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