A Carnevale Triptych in Photos

In the days of the Venetian Republic, Carnival began on December 26 and could last as long as 180 days. Today it runs about two and a half weeks, and three days with Marco Secchi give you time to do what he recommends: “You don’t hunt Carnival, you learn its rhythm.” Like a triptych artwork, the days are planned around the light and the masqueraders, so they vary in length, adding up to about 24 hours across 3 days. Depending on the weather, most days start before sunrise, when costumed figures appear in an almost empty city, often in fog, and some run into the evening, as the lamps come on. Marco takes you where the masqueraders are gathering, and past Venetians whose routines carry on around them, explaining the festival’s history and social life as you go, with stops for coffee and cicchetti. He also takes you into workshops where masks are still made by hand. Each day ends with a review of your pictures and what to try next. The workshop runs February 1–3 or February 4–6, 2027.

In the 16th century, a mask let a Venetian hide rank and wealth, so a patrician and a plebeian looked alike. Carnival still runs on that anonymity. Marco, a native Venetian whose Carnival pictures have been published by magazines and news outlets around the world, looks past the costumes to what he calls the gaps between poses: a mask adjusted nervously, or interactions between masqueraders and onlookers. A single outing gives you a handful of frames. Three days give you time to go back to a place in better light, and to look at the previous day’s photos and act on what you learned. Marco also shows you how to edit for a narrative, so you go home with a sequence that tells the story of your Carnival. The pace is unhurried, with time to wander and talk as well as photograph. Marco knows when to step in with advice and when to let you work things out yourself. The plan bends to the weather, and he adapts his guidance to you, whether you’re a curious traveler or a serious photographer.

Marco Secchi was born in Venice and has worked as a photojournalist since 1980, covering stories from the war in Bosnia to the Costa Concordia disaster for Getty Images and international publications. Carnevale has been one of his subjects for more than fifteen years. His book The Venice Carnival: People, Masks, Costumes and Colours appeared in 2011, and for many years, he has taught the festival to small groups of photographers every Carnevale. He leads all three days personally.

A DSLR or mirrorless camera, or the equivalent, with one or two lenses, ideally a fast prime for low light; a phone works too. No tripod is needed. Spare batteries and memory cards. Warm, waterproof layers and hand warmers for the cold, damp hours by the water. Comfortable walking shoes since you'll be on your feet all day. In case you already have a 7-day vaporetto pass, let Marco know in Chat. Plan to arrive the day before the workshop; you can leave in the late afternoon of day 3.