During a weekend jaunt of Venice, photographer Thibaud Poirier fell in love with the serenity of the city at night. Entranced by Venice's canals and quiet alleyways, Poirier used his skills in architectural and urban photography to create a memorable series of images. Through his eyes, we see a Venice that is tranquil and still, devoid of the touristic hustle and bustle that often defines this city.
Mixing up symmetrical and asymmetrical compositions, Poirier plays with Venice's unique characteristics and offers a picturesque view of life on the islands. The imagery allows viewers to admire the magic of this city built on water. Bridges reflect in the cool still waters of the canals, contrasting with the rich tones of the stuccoed architecture. With no traces of humans in sight, the photographs transmit a quiet stillness that crystalizes Venice and allows us to ponder just how little the environment has changed in the centuries since it was constructed.
“I've been working on a similar series in Paris,” Poirier tells My Modern Met, “but I found it much easier to capture the feeling of a city frozen in time in Venice as there are no cars and the architecture has stayed the same for the last centuries. I wanted to capture typical Venice views, that's why you'll find the water element in all my shots.”
With just a few days to shoot, the photographer wasted no time wandering the streets in an effort to find interesting canal intersections to photograph. For Poirier, the series was a way to get out into the quieter areas of the city, where he was happily surprised to find no crowds. In the end, he was able to take away an artistic series of photos that give a new perspective on the much-photographed destination.
Photographer Thibaud Poirier took an enchanting set of photos of Venice’s canals at night.
These photos of Venice at night show a serene side of the city, away from the tourist crowds.
