If day one in Trastevere was about finding light and rhythm in the streets, day two was building on top of about chasing light—and learning to see it everywhere.

We crossed the Tiber early in the morning, leaving behind the alleys of Trastevere for the broader, more open scenes of central Rome. The city felt different on this side of the river—more grand, more exposed, and full of new stories waiting to be told. But no matter where we were, the mission remained the same: hunt the light first and foremost.

In street photography, light is everything

It’s not just about capturing a moment—it’s about how that moment is shaped, revealed, or hidden by light.

We explored how it falls on faces, how it defines space, how it transforms a simple wall into a canvas of contrast. We looked for it in reflections, in shadows, in the way it wrapped around corners or spilled across cobblestones. A window reflected light which we used, and suddenly it disappeared when the window was opened and the light reflector was removed. A fun moment in the middle of a shooting.

Of course, not every scene was perfectly lit. But that’s part of the lesson too. Sometimes, the story is so strong it overrules everything—light, focus, even composition. A powerful moment doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. And learning to recognize that, to respond to it instinctively, is what makes a street photographer grow. Preparing the camera first, then looking for opportunities.

Throughout the day, we experimented with exposure, with framing, with how light interacts with color and how it strips things down in black and white. We shot portraits, wide scenes, and quiet details. We moved through markets, piazzas, and side streets, always with our eyes tuned to the subtle shifts in brightness and shadow.

By the afternoon, we were walking slower. Not because we were less inspired—but because we were tired. The good kind of tired. The kind that comes from hours of walking, watching, and creating. That beautiful mix of exhaustion and energy that only a workshop can give you. Feet aching, but hearts full.

What made it all so rewarding was the group itself—enthusiastic, curious, and open to the process. There was a shared sense of discovery, of pushing past comfort zones, of learning not just how to take a photo, but how to see.

Rome had given us more than just beautiful backdrops—it had given us lessons in patience, in presence, and in the poetry of light.