A Visit to Rome

Hey there! I hope you’re doing well!

This is my first post and hopefully a beginning of something interesting, both for me and for you as well. Having spent over a year on Instagram, I decided to leave that horrid place, that’s not good for showcasing anything other than ads, and try my luck here. I wish us a pleasant journey.

Funnily enough, I decided to write my first post about my street photography experience in Rome, even though I am not really a street photographer (at least not anymore), or a world traveller. I am well aware that these may not be “street” enough for some of you. I had this phase of doing the “legit” street photography over a decade ago, and I had already taken my share of photos with people in front of posters, random gestures, and silhouettes in doorways. Now I tend to photograph whatever I feel like photographing, and sometimes it’s more or less street.

I went to Rome in mid-January with my lovely wife on a few days’ getaway from kids and dull and dreary Polish weather. It was my first time in Rome, though I had been to Italy in the past, so I had a some idea what to expect.

Rome didn’t disappoint. It was cold but sunny. The light was amazing, with long pitch-black shadows and warm tones. Complete opposite of Poland at that time (very very very cold and foggy). We spent most of our days sightseeing and going to various trattorias and ristorantes. It was a fun trip. Still, I managed to sneak out early in the mornings to rub that photography itch. That’s why most of these have that golden hour early morning vibe. Other photos were taken in passing.

Capitoline Hill

I was thinking how to organise the photos, and ultimately decided to group them by location. We start off at the Capitoline Hill.

The Capitoline Museums in all their glory behind scaffolding. Luckily, this was the only place still under renovation for the 2025 Catholic Church jubilee. All other landmarks were already uncovered and shining bright in the sun.

Once I saw this girl checking her phone, oblivious to the magnificence of the room, I had to snatch this photo.

I run up the stairs leading to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli just to find out that the passageway to the huge Vittoriano monument was not yet opened. I liked that lonely figure down below and the warm light from the rising sun.

Another display of light and shadow. Hadrian’s column hidden behind the fences in the middle of what is now a construction site.

Centro Storico

Continuing on the construction site theme, I loved the shadows and light on this boarded up piazza.

I could not resist taking this photo of people grinning and taking selfies in front of the most famous fountain.

Some serious chefs taking a brake. I also took a picture from the other side, but this is the better photo.

The empty square in front of the Pantheon indicates the early hour. I liked how the high-visibility outfit contrasted with the surroundings.

People on their phones on a piazza nearby Pantheon.

Your typical snapshot from the Spanish Stairs.

That Vatican magnet on the door leads us to the next location…

The Vatican

St. Peter’s Basilica in all its glory.

Nearby Castel Saint’ Angelo.

Quirinal Hill

View from the top of the Quirinal Hill. I liked the construction cranes, the cars, and that couple enjoying the view.

Via Panisiperna, leading to the Esquiline Hill. Nothing particularly moving about this photo. I just liked the view.

Trastevere

A bit dodgy looking district across the river from the tourist attractions. Home for a million restaurants and bad graffiti.

One of many stores with fine art paintings and antique furniture in the area. Curiously, it seems they have no heating, because the owners inside all sat in their coats. I liked how the man was sitting behind that vintage desk with a carton of milk or yoghurt.

Campo Dei Fiori

Famous grocery market and its surroundings.

Quite surprisingly, the grocery salesman turned out to be Polish. Leszek has been working there for many years and even played himself in a Woody Allen movie “With Love to Rome”. What a great guy!

Modern Romeo and Juliet.

A stylish gentleman. Seriously, I love how stylish the Italians are.

Another anti-climactic shot through the window to conclude the post.

That’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed the views and thank you for getting this far. I will be adding more narrative posts in the future, as well as one-off photo notes.

Also, to answer your burning questions whether I took any photos of actual landmarks, I obviously did. Cheers!

Forum Romanum at sunrise. (Doesn’t get more cliche than this).

Thanks for reading!

Jakub