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Writer's pictureGiulio D'Ercole

155. Ponte Vittorio, Slow Shutter for a Speed Recovery to Light

Updated: Mar 30, 2020

By Giulio D'Ercole


Going through Rome Photo Fun Tours' archive

Dear readers, today as every day, during this forced Coronavirus cloister time, I am keeping myself busy with various activities spanning from posting on FB photography groups, watching the news, reading photography books and re-ordering my archive. And as I do so, I find so many beautiful photos of my amazing Rome, and I, once again, can't do anything but acknowledge how eternally gorgeous is this Eternal City of mine.

So, as it happens with our childhood that always seems so beautiful in our memories of adults, Rome shines even more in these photos I am looking at, with the knowledge that, for the time being, I cannot go back there to walk through its streets, squares, and bridges.


A bridge between the Vatican and Downtown Rome

As I was selecting the photos taken in 2017, I found this one, shot on September 3rd, during a night tour.

I shot this image, using a 30 seconds shutter speed, f18 aperture, and 100 ISO to capture the river flow and the starburst of the street lamps lights along the promenades on the sides of the Tiber and on the streets above.

In the foreground, Ponte Vittorio shines over the silk effect waters, while in the background the majestic dome of St. Peter's church stands out tall against the night sky of Rome.


Ponte Vittorio

Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II is a bridge in Rome constructed to designs of 1886 by the architect Ennio De Rossi. Construction was delayed, and it was not inaugurated until 1911. The bridge across the Tiber connects the historic center of Rome (Corso Vittorio Emanuele, whose axis the bridge extends, and piazza Paoli at the bridgehead) with the rione Borgo and the Vatican City, close what is left of the ancient Pons Neronianus. The bridge commemorating Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy is carried in three arches spanning a distance of 108 meters. It is decorated at the ends with high socles carrying colossal bronze winged Victories and over each of the piers with massive allegorical travertine sculptural groups.


Looking back to Look ahead

So, it is with this image in my eyes, and I hope in yours too, that I look ahead, towards the future, towards new days when Rome will not shine alone but it will open up again to display all its charm, mystery and beauty to Romans and to tourists alike. In those days I will be with you to guide you through its most iconic places and its backstreets, providing you with the best hands-on photography workshop you can wish for.





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