Usually this canal is lost in shadow from the surrounding villas. But midday cloudy bright sunlight from above illuminated the gondola. Not Rembrandt light, but nearly as focused and selective—sort of a diffused spotlight. Both the waterway and walls frame the gondola. Oddly, both passengers and gondolier have relaxed, almost sedate, expressions on their faces.

EOS 40D and EF-s 17-55 2.8 IS USM