Trip to Italy

[Jubilee32]

I will be visiting Rome and Positano (each for 5 days) and would appreciate responses regarding the "right" to take pictures in public places. Or, ay unique situations I oughtt to look out for? Can I assume the law is about the same as in the US? I decided to forego the tripod so I will not have that problem. Thanks in advance

[bjannsen]

Just returned from 2 months in Italy - our 4th trip there. Aside from a very few places, you will not have any trouble with your camera and your 'right' to shoot. A few museums and a few churches (very few) will say 'no' to cameras. But you will be amazed at the freedom you will have.

I'm not sure why you are leaving the tripod at home - I sure wouldn't. You can check my site for some shots that I've posted from Italy. Most of them were taken with a tripod. I would never travel without it. In fact, when I left it behind on a bus in Positano I about had a heart attack. I ran after the bus to catch it - was loosing the battle until a wonderful little old lady in her tiny car drove up behind me honking and motioning me into the front seat. We roared off and caught up with the bus. I still don't know where she came from, or how she knew what I needed, but she sure saved me!

Anyway, you will have a wonderful time - Rome and Positano (all of Amalfi) are incredible!

[Jubilee32]

Thank you - I hoped that would be the response. I understand the restrictions in the churches and museums. That can happen anywhere.

I appreciate your recommendation on the tripod. I have two good tripods but both are heavy and too long for my luggage. I have resisted buying a smaller one but might have to do so. Which would you recommend comparing length/weight with reasonable cost (if there might be such a thing). I found a cheap one locally ($260) but it was not very stable as tripods go.

I really enjoyed your web site - wonderful work and the use of the tripod shows. Thanks for your assistance. Looking forward to Rome, Ravello, Capri, Positano, et al.

[bjannsen]

Yah - tripods can be awkward and heavy to carry around. It depends on your style of shooting. If most everything that you do is walk-around in the middle of the day, then you won't need one. Very little of what I do is in the middle of the day - hence the tripod.

I use a manfrotto tripod and ball head. It's good and solid, but it's aluminum and not real light. Take a look at some of the newer (and much lighter) carbon fiber ones. Both Manfrotto and Gitzo have some pretty cool ones, but they aren't cheap.

Also take a look through the accessories section of this forum and search tripods. Some guys here have researched this topic from top to bottom. I think you'll find more answers there than I can provide.

Good luck!

[Jubilee32]

Thanks - I am traveling with family and will be somewhat limited in time I can spend on shooting. I might get the inexpensive CF one and see how it does. With the 5D MKII I want to be able to shoot some video with a tripod. I also like to stretch the evening hours. Thanks for your help

[canonboy2003]

Ciao!

I think much of Italy is a photographer's paradise! There's soooo much ancient history, art, and culture mixed in with modern day life, especially in Rome. Make sure you (discreetly) take pictures of people there, just to get a sense of the culture and everyday life.

There are so many beautiful churches in Rome. Make sure you visit the ones with beautiful frescoes. There weren't too many camera restrictions, even in churches. I think most museums in Rome were also camera-friendly, too.

Well, the one MAJOR camera restriction was at the Vatican. There were a couple specific places at the Vatican were photography was prohibited: The Sistine Chapel and Pope John Paul II's tomb. The guards were very strict at the Sistine Chapel. Do NOT bring a 35mm f/1.4 lens to the Sistine Chapel. Do NOT secretly take photos of the paintings on the ceiling with your camera at your hip, while the guards chastise others for taking photos. :rolleyes:

Hope that helps! Buon viaggio!

[Jubilee32]

Thanks. I am looking forward to the trip

[philmar]

I will be visiting Rome and Positano (each for 5 days) and would appreciate responses regarding the "right" to take pictures in public places. Or, ay unique situations I oughtt to look out for? Can I assume the law is about the same as in the US? I decided to forego the tripod so I will not have that problem. Thanks in advance

Actually you'll have MORE right to photograph public things in Italy than the US. Rome is heaven compared to NYC or DC

Rome is special. Check out my gallery. By clicking HERE (http://www.flickriver.com/photos/phil_marion/sets/72157618803044298/)

[Jubilee32]

Since I have not had issues in the US I will, indeed, enjoy it. Thanks, and I enjoyed your gallery

[DisrupTer911]

Having just come back from my European cruise, a tripod is essential within the churches or at night.

I'd definitely take it.

[Jubilee32]

I have packed mine - thnaks

[kinghong1970]

gosh, love positano...

but in positano, if you ask a cabbie for a good restaurant, they'll take you to a restaurant they have a "deal" arranged with... they take all tourists to a certain place.

but aside from that, enjoy... lovely place!

[Jubilee32]

Hah! I guess that is not too uncommon. Thanks for the warning. Fortunately, we are on a "Cooking Vacation" and are pretty much lined up in Positano

[TheCarpMuncher]

I've just come back from Florence and had lots of issues with the tripod.

For a start, many (if not all) the churches and basilicas did not permit the use of tripods and were very strict about it. In Venice I observed a photographer attempting to set up a tripod in St. Mark's Basilica and he was frog-marched out of the place! Setting-up for some interior shots in the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza Signoria I was jumped on immediately and told to take my tripod to the 'Cloakroom' on the ground floor! No questions asked, just a curt "No!" in no uncertain terms. Do not mess with these guys - they were very serious!

Sometimes cameras were prohibited in religious buildings, sometimes not; I guess it varies from area to area, but even museums were very chary about it.

Didn't go to Rome so don't know what it's like there.

Be careful is the only advice I can give.

Airports

My tripod was detected with the baggage scanner and i had to remove it and pass it through the Security Baggage facility. Since we were travelling Ryanair and had only back-packs with us, I had to put it in a separate bag which had to go in the hold - thereby costing me another €40, 35 for the airline and 5 for the airports authority!

[Jubilee32]

:p:p:pThanks - leaving for the airport in 2 hours. Will report when I get back

[moeronn]

Great information in here. Will check out the galleries when at home.

We're going to Rome, Florence and Venice in December, so the days will be shorter (and colder) so many of our photo ops will be at night and I plan on bringing a tripod. My concern is that while I don't mind not being able to use it in some places, I don't want to have to check it or be turned away from the places. Will I have an issue carrying it in to places (other than the Vatican)?

[Jubilee32]

I took my tripod and used several times in out-of-the-way locations with no problems. Since I was with my family, I relied upon hand held shooting most of the time. I saw no tripod in any of the churches or museums. Most places were marked when no photography was allowed (or, no flash).

I suspect the Vatican Museum would not allow tripods as it was very crowded. I would not dare to try that. You have to pass through security but I saw no signs prohibiting one from carrying a tripod. Some areas, flash was allowed, most it was not. In the Sistine Chapel, no photography is allowed of any kind and they watch closely. No one was thrown out but they were asked politely not to do it again. I just did not even try to do anything clandestine.

I have to say with the 5D MKII that I used 3200 and even 6400 several times and am very pleased with the results. Some dark areas, people looked at me like I was a fool trying to take a shot. One guy asked me if I "got anything" and just whistled when I showed him the image. Great camera.