Since the photos about the canals in Venice were published online, they gained a lot of attention. Photographers saw an opportunity to serve the huge demand by the media and decided to risk their lives for a few minutes of fame.

Filiberto Lori, a photographer from Italy sent us a frame from a security camera of a photographer in Italy, along with some information about photographers there.

An E-mail From Filiberto Lori:

“Professional photographers, ever since the lockdown happened, have been trying to sneak out of their houses to take photos of the popular touristic attractions and landmarks all over Italy, including Venice, Bergamo, Milano & Rome.

Even though there are strict restrictions and heavy fines for those who leave their houses, photographers here ignore them, because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them and they are trying to get the most out of the situation.

I urge every photographer all over the world to stop ignoring the rules set by the officials because this is not the right time to take photos. By opposing the government’s rules, you are risking your own life along with others that you might get in contact with.

I live in a pretty nice street in Venice, and the street is empty, except the photographers that I see often taking photos of the canals and buildings. I’ve witnessed officials arresting & charging photographers because of this.

The same thing happened when there were floods in Venice back in 2019. Photographers saw the opportunity and hundreds of them poured into the streets to get a piece of the cake.

My message to the world is that they should stop trying to profit from this terrible situation that we’re in.“

Why Is This Happening?

The demand from content from Italy is huge right now, and content suppliers (such as photographers) are risking it all for fulfilling that demand.

The Guardian reported that more than 40,000 people have violated the lockdown, and all of them have been charged.

Recent Photos From Italy