ROSEMARY WILMOT has been our first monthly winner, the first one to enter our Hall of Fame. 

“I first read about the competition in Buongiorno Venezia which I have subscribed to for about 8 years now. I was so happy to read about this competition and very excited to win the first Month and be joint winner for December. I have loved photography since I was 8 years old and now truly wished I had followed it as a career. It has been a constant passion in my life and I am never without a camera it is an extension of my personality. My dream of visiting Venice had always held a very magical place in my heart. The excitement of the very first visit – the first time – which can never be repeated. The very first thing I saw was the milkman, then the laundry man and the dustmen all by boat of course. Wow…

Then for the one and only time I have seen someone moving house standing in a boat holding onto his wardrobes whilst gliding past me eating my lunch. The seductive light makes you feel so alive, the first view of the Palazzo’s on the Grand Canal with light streaming onto them, and the canals streaked blue and gold with mirror images. The first evening I spent in Venice a group of teenagers were dancing in a circle in the Piazza San Marco because of their love of Venice they were shouting Venice we love you… The Alleyways and hidden corners abound with street life and street theatre that is unique. There is always something to photograph, to catch a memory and make memories, to capture a special moment in your life. You cannot visit a more beautiful or evocative city, to love her is to be seduced for ever and always to be at her command, camera in hand for the wonders of everyday life before you.”

“Ciao, this is Tiziano Chiesa. I’m retired, and an amateur photographer, from Turin Italy. I use to spend at least 20 days in Venice every year.

Why Venice? Because every time, during my long walks, I find new corners to discover and depict in my pictures. I walk calli leading to desert or adorned campi, among trees, with red benches where the locals and the tourists can sit.

Every time, a visit to the Accademia bridge is a must for me, the wooden bridge over the Grand Canal where I can take a picture of the wonderful panorama. And then, a lot of events to attend, and art shows in the historical center and the Giudecca as well. In every season I shoot lots of pictures, making up a huge archive. Some people long for Africa, whilst I am longing for Venezia.”

SUE HENDERSON wrote to us:

“While working for an international cruise company, I was blessed to visit Venezia weekly for several seasons. I have loved throwing away a map and intentionally getting ‘lost’ in different neighborhoods appreciating the Friday Sabbath in the Ghetto district or a quiet Sunday morning near the docks. Wandering off the beaten path to see laundry hanging or purchase wine from neighborhood shops and fresh fruits straight off the market boats is a true pleasure. It’s especially a joy to capture the renown light of the City and the view of the lagoon from high above. I wish there was a way to capture the graciousness of the people of Venice, and the sounds and smells in a photograph – those moments when you hear a voice or musicians before you arrive in a small square then sit and savor a coffee or pastry and take it all in. Pure magic.”

See below for ROSEMARY WILMOT’s presentation (October  2015 competition)

PAOLA VOLPE entitled her winning photo “Young Venice”.

“I am 54, I live in Chiavari (Genoa), and have been taking photos as my passion for 20 years. I attended courses and workshops, participated in photo competitions, and collected many awards. I love visiting exhibitions and museums, also of other art forms. I am curious by nature, and timid by character, perhaps this makes it easier for me to hide behind the lens of my faithful companion, my camera. In 1997 I attended a workshop with Maestro Fulvio Roiter in Venice; learning about photography in this magical and mysterious place has stimulated my desire to explore life through photography, wandering and meeting the most diverse situations, catching the magic and mystery, perception and emotion in each shot. Every year I offer myself two trips as a present, one in some European city and one, since many years now, in Venice. They are my soul’s journeys, aimed to rediscover myself and live in a non ordinary dimension, where the wonder and curiosity are the vital elements for my well-being, essential to my peace and serenity.

In my photo ‘Young Venice‘ the protagonists are indeed the main actors on a natural and extraordinary stage, where no choreographer or designer could invent anything that history and art have not already created. Children play, happily running, the boys meet exchanging words and moments of life, young adults smile at each others.

And Venice is the background to those people lucky enough to walk its calli and campielli, along the canals, and all roads really leading here to the happiness of the soul. I have so many pictures still in my drawer. I would like to continue trying to improve what for now for me is just something personal”.

ALFREDO ALEANDRI, born in 1977 and living in the province of Pisa, Italy, told us:

“I am an amateur photographer with a long-standing passion for photography. I started shooting with film cameras and I switched to digital only recently, considering the times were right for this change. After embracing different genres in the past, at present I am only interested in “street photography”, and looking for my distinctive style. In the past I have visited Venice several times as a tourist, but last year I decided to return with the intention of shooting original and unpublished images, a real challenge since it is one of most photographed city in the world! Venice has undoubtedly fascinated me for her multiple facets, offering incentives to any lover of photography, across all photography styles”.

Annik Susemihl, the winner of the March 2016 contest, is also the Grand Winner of the 1st edition

Hi, this is Annik Susemihl from Germany. I am an amateur photographer and since one year and a half I have only beenusing a DSLR.

During my first visit to Venice I was pretty sick. I could not explore the city and was very frustrated. And I had so looked forward to such photo tour. My “affaire” wih Venice had started in such a bad way!

But my husband offered me a second stay in the city, this time for Carnevale. Alone with my camera, I was able to walk the city for three days. Great!

I discovered a wonderful city with a unique atmosphere and wonderful places, and nice people to meet. Venice in winter time has drawn me into its spell. Despite my endless walks I kept discovering wonderful nooks and alleys. Far away from mass tourism and stereotypes, Venice revealed to me a piece of her soul. My staying in February reconciled me not only with the city. I now feel connected with Venice and its unique atmosphere. History seemed to address me directly from walls and canals, buildings and places. A fascination that I can hardly explain. I always enjoy watching details and exploring places outside the mainstream. So this is how I took the submitted photos.

My winning photo was taken at San Zaccaria. In the midst of many people and the bustle, an old man sat, painting. His hands were drawn from many years of hard work. With these hands, he painted his Venice and every brushstroke seemed to me like a declaration of love. Alone at his easel, deep in his artwork, he was a world of peace and reverie himself. This has inspired me to try to capture that moment. Such a view of Venice from a very different perspective emerged. Such details, I love. Show me the soul of a place or a city! I am already looking forward to my next visit to Venice!