Venice Is A Lady Posted On 18th February 2025 To Magazine & Stories

Dancing in the rhythm of the waves
The dark, silky, smooth waters of the canals are silent now, only a few late boats are disturbing the lights that are dancing in the rhythm of the waves. Where there were armies of city guests, only a few hours ago, clucking happily excited about everything and nothing, now only the locals and the (not so few though) night crawlers of touristic persuasion are to be seen, slowly parading the centuries old worn narrow streets, stairs and bridges. La Serenissima is tired, but doesn’t fall asleep.
Like it or leave it
I am sitting on the stairs of a small pier, with feet dangling over the water. The heat of the day has dissipated, but the humid, warm air makes my shirt cling to me like a second skin. The presence of a certain breeze is most welcomed, although it brings smells and hints of a city that has overstretched itself. Not really unpleasant, but I am assaulted by a mixed wafting of cooking, stagnant waters, diesel fumes, human waste, rotting wood and some others, which I could not (and would not want to) identify. I am in Venice, and Venice is telling me to either like it or leave it. I am staying.
Gondolier
I can almost hear Venice yawning, and the gondolieri are no different; their service has slowed down to an almost halt. The gondolas are moored very near to each other, and are tugging at their moorings like a small herd of playful horses, wanting to go and run over the waters of Venice, their prairie. Near the pier where I sit, a few gondolieri are burning the midnight oil, singing a sad song, about a girl who drowned herself in the canal, because her parents would not allow her marriage to a handsome gondolier.
It’s beautiful
They say his shadow can still be heard in dark nights, running his black gondola, draped in black velvet, looking for his lost love. I’ve no idea if the song is for them or for the tourists, but it doesn’t matter really, it’s beautiful. Theirs is a company of trade secrets, apparent romantic occupation, and the recounting of old legends in hushed, grave tones is always a bonus for the people who enjoy riding in their beautiful boats.
La Serenissima
On my way back to the hotel, I kept looking at the black waters and the shadows that were crawling from every corner or alleyway. I wish I had the talent to catch these, and of course I also wish I had my tripod with me. Farewell, Venice, it was nice to find you the same old magnificent lady called La Serenissima. And I am glad that you talked to me. Your silent words were heard and understood.
All photographs were taken with Nikon F3, and ILFORD HP5+ 400 @ 1600.
Images ©Julian Tanase
About The Author

Julian Tanase
My name is Julian, current residence in Romania. I started film photography while in high school, in the mid-80s, mainly working with East German and USSR films and cameras. That was a good time to learn this film thing step by step. Most formats I use are 35mm and 8×11 Minox.
I am an entrepreneur, and I enjoy travelling. My cameras are an eclectic gathering, ranging from Kodak Retina to Nikon FM3a to Olympus OM 1-digit series, from Minox 8×11 to 16mm subminiature format. I also enjoy some 120 medium format photography, using a old but serviced and cherished Rolleiflex 2.8F.
I shoot mainly black and white, with some colour every now and then. Film wise, my first three preferences are Ilford HP5 400, Ilford Pan F50, Agfa APX 100 & 400. These are favoruites in any of the formats I use; Minox films are cut from these stocks. I develop and scan my own films (b&w), colour ones I send to the lab. Btw, I am not a digital user, although I do shoot digital for my business projects only.
I enjoy writing articles for various photo magazines, nothing big. These allow me to focus on specific issues regarding my photography, sort of an introspection if you’d like; documenting and writing an article is a good exercise in learning about favourite subjects on film photography.
My website: http://www.juliantanase.com
Selections and portfolios: https://juliantanase.smugmug.com/ , https://grainery.app/u/julian_t
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minox.and.all/
Thank you all for your kind interest !