Long before sunrise on this day in Venice, I ventured out to roam the empty streets of the city. It’s a wonderful experience after having walked the same streets the previous day when they were cram-packed with visitors.

Half an hour or so before sunrise, I arrived at Ponte dell'Accademia to secure a spot and set up my equipment. Not long after setting up, I was joined by a couple of traditional artists who set up easels and proceeded to paint their interpretations of the day’s beginning. It’s always nice to meet people in such situations and share stories, finding similarities in artistic pursuits. I’m used to having conversations with fellow photographers while waiting for the sun to shine on a new day, and the conversation wasn’t that different with these artists. We discussed framing and composition, lighting, colour and all manner of technical aspects of one another’s medium of choice.

Such an exquisite location, made all the more enjoyable by wonderful company.