The Roman Forum at blue hour is a photographer’s dream – ancient columns and temples bathed in warm golden light against a deep blue twilight sky. This view captures the heart of what was once the center of Roman public life, where some of the most important structures of ancient Rome still stand after more than 2,000 years. The illuminated ruins create a magical scene that brings the grandeur of the ancient world to life.
One of the reasons I loved this view of the the Roman Forum was that it showcases a number of the iconic structures that make up this amazing location. Some of these include; the Temple of Saturn (the prominent columns on the left), one of the oldest temples in Rome dating back to 497 BC, and the Arch of Septimius Severus (the illuminated arch in the center), built in 203 AD to commemorate the Roman victories over the Parthians. The baroque church dome visible in the background is Santi Luca e Martina, adding layers of history spanning from ancient Rome to the Renaissance. At its peak, the Forum was surrounded by elaborate temples, basilicas, and monuments.
This view from Capitoline Hill offers excellent vantage points without needing Forum entry. It was taken during magical blue hour which is a brief window where the artificial lights and natural light balance perfectly. At first I was nervous and disappointed, as the sun had set and no lights came on. Much to my delight, about 20+ minutes after sunset, they illuminated the structures, yeah! While I took this composition at about 32mm, there are many other wonderful framings that you can capture from very wide to telephoto. Of course, you will need a sturdy tripod to keep your images tack sharp during long exposures.
The challenge and beauty of blue hour photography is capturing that fleeting moment when ancient and modern illumination work together to reveal the layers of history before you.
This image was captured as part of a an amazing 12 day trip to Italy. If you are interesting in an amazing Italian itinerary check out this blog post.