Urban Textures: Discovering Bologna’s Soul Through Street Photography
A black and white photo of people walking through the main piazza in Bologna, Italy
Welcome to the first installment of Urban Textures, a new series here on the blog where I step outside my comfort zone to explore the rhythm, light, and people of different cities through the lens of street photography.
If you missed it, I previously outlined my approach to planning a street photography trip to a new city. There is no better place to start this journey than Bologna, Italy. Known as La Grassa (the fat one) for its food and La Rossa (the red one) for its rooftops, Bologna is a photographer’s dream of endless porticos, sharp shadows, and timeless character.
Chasing Light in the Porticos
The city’s famous porticos create a unique lighting environment. The harsh contrast between the bright Italian sun and the deep shadows of the covered walkways offers perfect opportunities for dramatic black and white street photography.
A black and white photo of light in a portico in Bologna, Italy
Understanding how to read the light is crucial for this kind of work, a topic I covered in depth in Why Light Is Everything in Street Photography.
The Rhythm of the City
Bologna moves at a pace that forces you to slow down and observe. My goal here was not to get traditional tourist snapshots, but to capture the authentic daily life—the candid interactions, the quiet contemplation, and the movement of the locals against a historic backdrop.
A black and white street photo of pedestrians in Bologna, Italy
A painting on a woman’s bag is illuminated by daylight in Bologna, Italy
To capture these fleeting moments, I rely on specific camera setups that allow me to focus entirely on composition. You can find my preferred setup in The Settings I Use For 90% Of My Street Photography.
Capturing Candid Moments
The real magic happens at the intersection of light and human experience. Whether it was catching a quick smoke break or observing a customer at a bustling market, Bologna provided endless candid scenes.
A black and white image of a workman smoking in Bologna, Italy
A man in a fedora gestures while browsing a produce market, Bologna, Italy
In Urban Textures, I want to show that street photography isn't just about technical skill; it’s about engaging with a place and telling a story through a single frame.
A black and white photo of a graduate celebrating in Bologna, Italy
A black and white image of a dapper man walking the streets of Bologna, Italy
As I continue this series, I hope these images inspire you to grab your camera and explore your own city with fresh eyes.
What city should I visit next? Let me know in the comments below!