It’s my third visit to Venice (this time just for a weekend, at the opening of the carnival) and I always find it fascinating…

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Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 01I always find Venice fascinating. Its history, its looks...

Beyond the typical postcard pretty views by day...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 02Beyond the typical postcard pretty views by day...

Venice's soul comes alive when the crowds recede and light starts dimming.

In the back "alleys", colors become vibrant...                                                                       ... as locals come out for a stroll.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 04In the back "alleys" colors become vibrant...    Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 05... as occasional locals come out for a stroll.

Then, real magic happens, and "traffic lights" takes a whole new meaning.

Taxis are far from your typical black or yellow cabs...

...and they are definitely the way to arrive in style.

In comparison, other forms of transportation may appear more "pedestrian" – almost from a bygone era.

Did you notice people dressed up? Yes, it's Carnival!

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 10Did you notice people dressed up? Yes, it's Carnival! Time to hide in plain sight...

... or to try reclaiming the city from the hordes, bringing Saint Marco's piazza back to its past mystery and glory,  by quite literally taking it over again.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 12... or to try reclaiming the city from the hordes, bringing Saint Marco's piazza back to its past mystery and glory...    Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 13... by quite literally taking it over again...

It's also the perfect opportunity to reveal your true self and mingle freely, beyond categorization and judgement.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 14It's also the perfect opportunity to reveal your true self and mingle freely, beyond categorization and judgement.

Even Elvis and... eh... Michael J.?! come back to join the party...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 15Even Elvis and... eh... Michael J.?! come back to join the party...

When light fades let your darker side come out...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 16When light fades let your darker side come out...

... and you could make intriguing encounters....                                              ... reminding you of the romantic soul of the city.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 17... and you might make intriguing encounters....    Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 18... reminding you of the romantic soul of the city.

Later still, you might spot stranger creatures, on water...                                   ... or even in the air! Obviously, you won't be alone then.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 19Later still, you might spot stranger creatures, on water...    Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 20... or even in the air! Obviously, you won't be alone then.

Tourists are delighted by the amazing chance encounters...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 21Tourists are delighted by the amazing chance encounters... ... and even those who want to push the envelope should find satisfaction.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 22... and even those who want to push the envelope should find satisfaction. During the carnival, serenity tends to get curtailed...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 23Serenity tends to get curtailed during the carnival...

... but the grandiose is never far ...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 24... but the grandiose is never far ... ... and peace is still on most doorsteps ...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 25... and peace is on most doorsteps ... ... under the watch of palmed locals.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 26... under the watch of palmed locals. Occasionally Venice looks like just another European city...

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 27Occasionally Venice looks like just another European city... ... correction - Italian city.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 28... correction - Italian city.

And the Venetian winged lion is everywhere to remind us of Venice’s grandeur.

Venice postcards - Didier Cayrac - 2017 - 29And the Venetian winged lion is everywhere to remind us of Venice’s grandeur.

This trip also gave me the opportunity to create one of my favorite street portraits so far: “Rialto Committed”

More to come, stay tuned!