The villages of the Cinque Terre are one of the most desired destinations by photographers around the globe. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso are located on the coast of Liguria and overlook the Mediterranean Sea. The Cinque Terre are perched on dark cliffs, with the blue sea on one side and the green mountains on the other. The perfect place for any travel photographer.
The Cinque Terre villages are connected to each other through paths in the hills, among rows of olive trees and basil plants. Tourists walking through them remain enchanted by the sight of the towns from above. The colorful houses against the turquoise sea, the perfect place to take home great photos. The atmosphere here is breathtaking. Instagram is full of photographs of enthusiasts patiently waiting for sunset before taking the perfect picture of every village. No matter if you have a smartphone or a professional camera. If your dream is to bring home stunning photography from this corner of paradise, follow these tips.
Travel light (with a backpack)
A photography enthusiast never travels light. There is always a reason to put in your bag a heavy lens, but in the Cinque Terre it may be fatal. Logistics is tough. The best spots for photos are along the paths; the climbs are strenuous, and a heavy backpack could discourage even the most enthusiastic. No shoulder bags, if you love your back! Moreover, the villages of the Cinque Terre are perched on the rocks, and then climbs, stairs, underpasses are everywhere. Traveling light is the best way to make great photographs and enjoy the holiday. Your partner will thank you!
Bring only the standard zoom
Besides the fact that not having four lenses lightens your backpack a lot, a standard zoom is more than enough for any landscape photo of the Cinque Terre. To be clear, the one you have purchased with your digital reflex. If you have a compact camera, you do not need anything else. The landscapes of the Cinque Terre don’t require extreme wide-angle or super-telephoto lenses. The best spots for the photos seem designed specifically not to spend too much effort to look for the right focal length.
If you really cannot leave all your gear at home, at least, leave the superfluous in the hotel safe when you go out!
Use the tripod
The best moments for the photos are sunrise and sunset when the artificial light and the blue sky are perfectly balanced. These are situations where the camera hardly works. The images may be blurred, or even worse, with a lot of grain. A tripod can lengthen the shutter speed and let you gain sharp and brilliant photos. There are affordable and lightweight tripods on the market, but do not worry if you forget it! You won’t be the only photographer in the Cinque Terre! There will be certainly someone who is happy to lend you theirs.
A village for every day
If you are lucky enough to spend several days in the Cinque Terre, focus on achieving the best possible shots. For every village, there is a breathtaking spot with a view but remember: the best moments are sunrise and sunset. So if you spend five days in the Cinque Terre, picture a village a day! What to do after dawn and before sunset? Read below…
Not only landscapes
The Cinque Terre is a world of its own. Life here seems to have stopped 50 years ago. The streets of the villages are in stone, clothes hung above the streets crowded with tourists and the elderly ladies are spending the afternoons sitting outside their homes. That is to say that you have many opportunities to take street photos that refer to 60s Italy. Or breathtaking details of plants, windows, corners, and colorful walls perfect for your Instagram page or your blog.
So, in addition to get a swim in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, spend some time in the villages. You’ll get a photoshoot balanced between landscapes and details that others never would stop to look at.
Your tip
Have you already been to the Cinque Terre? Is there any tip you would give to anyone wanting to visit the Cinque Terre? Let us know. We will be happy to add it to this page!
