Photography tour in Rome

[ProG77]

I know it's a long shot, but has anyone on the forum ever been on a walking photography tour in Rome or another major city? Was it worth it?

There are lots of various people/sites advertising these and timings vary from 3 hours to a full day with prices anything from £70/3 hours up to £200-£300+.

I'm currently in Rome and although fairly happy with the images I've got so far, keep thinking a walk with a local photographer for a few hours would get me some images which only a local would know best.

Be interested in hearing others thoughts on this as I'm here for another few days.

Thanks.

PS. One I got last night of the Pantheon.

View attachment 12491

 

[Alastair]

I personally prefer buying a good street map (one for locals, not tourists) and looking for areas that look off the beaten track and interesting. Using Google Earth helps as well. But it depends what you're interested in, I'm a big fan of Berlin and can spend hours wandering between S-bahn stations out of the tourist areas where the maps indicate industrial areas - because that's a type of area and architecture that can inspire me.

 

[plloydie]

I went last year, all the main sights were incredibly busy only when we left did our taxi driver point out so many more places of interest that we had no idea were there. One warning we were given by our taxi driver ( airport - hotel) and hotel reception staff was to avoid the people dressed as Roman soldiers and gladiators around the coliseum as they charge €50 for a photo.

 

[ProG77]

I personally prefer buying a good street map (one for locals, not tourists) and looking for areas that look off the beaten track and interesting. Using Google Earth helps as well. But it depends what you're interested in, I'm a big fan of Berlin and can spend hours wandering between S-bahn stations out of the tourist areas where the maps indicate industrial areas - because that's a type of area and architecture that can inspire me.

Interesting comment about getting a non tourist map. Probably won't get enough time on this trip but will make a note pre next trip.

 

[ProG77]

I went last year, all the main sights were incredibly busy only when we left did our taxi driver point out so many more places of interest that we had no idea were there. One warning we were given by our taxi driver ( airport - hotel) and hotel reception staff was to avoid the people dressed as Roman soldiers and gladiators around the coliseum as they charge €50 for a photo.

Busy is not the word - manic comes slightly closer! Could hardly move around the Trevi Fountains earlier today so went back around 9pm. Still absolutely heaving but this time I managed to get the tripod out and do some slow shutter speed images of the fountains. Re: the people dressed as gladiators, yes, had heard about that scam but my little boy wanted a pic with one of them outside the Coliseum so I did ask how much they charge and was told €5. Still a rip off but luckily my son changed his mind and didn't want a pic with the 'gladiator' so saved the €5.

 

[Alastair]

Interesting comment about getting a non tourist map. Probably won't get enough time on this trip but will make a note pre next trip.

Look for the Falk Plan maps, they've an ingenious folding design and lots of major European cities are covered. There's definitely one of Rome.

 

[redhed17]

I went on a Segway tour on my 4th visit and it took me to places I hadn't considered. It took me up the hill near the Circus Maximus, to see the view through the Maltese Embassy Keyhole. (You'll know if you have already seen it ) Because I had never been on a tour it was not something I'd heard off, (it's very popular location for tourist tours) and so I don't think I would have found myself. There are also a couple of nice views above the river where I set up to get a nice timelapse of the clouds over the city. I had to get those pics on the next trip though, as I ttok the tour on the last day of the trip.

Note to self: Always go on tours at the start of a trip in case you see something you want to take pics of.

As for specific Photo tours, it would depend whether they have examples of unusual locations/good pictures. It would be good to get a tour very early, or reasonably late to try and minimise the other tourists. Hopefully a good tour would also quickly get you from location to location.

 

[GalJulie]

Rome is compact enough with plenty to do and see that a map, two feet and a camera may save you a few quid - which you can spend resting in front of the Trevi Fountain with an ice cold drink documenting the tourist side of Rome!