Colosseum Dreams: How I Finally Got The Shot (Third Time’s the Charm)

Photographing in Rome is like being handed a cinematic buffet of architecture, history, and light. Within just a few blocks, you’ve got the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Saint Peter’s Basilica, and tucked right in the middle of all that grandeur is the big one: the Colosseum.

Ever since I was a kid watching epic sword-and-sandal films on a boxy TV, I dreamed of standing before this 2,000-year-old marvel with a camera in hand. It’s the kind of place that feels larger than life, both literally and emotionally. And I had to photograph it. But as anyone who's been to Rome knows, getting a clean shot of the Colosseum is... complicated.

Tourists, Scaffolding, and Metro Stations—Oh My!

My first attempt? Let’s just say it was less “cinematic masterpiece” and more “construction documentary.” A solid one-third of the Colosseum was wrapped in scaffolding—like someone decided the ancient monument needed a spa day mid-photo shoot. No amount of Photoshop magic was going to fix that.

The second time, the scaffolding was gone, hallelujah! I was ready. But Rome wasn’t done playing with me. A brand-new metro station was being built right out front, complete with high fencing, yellow construction containers, and all the modern chaos you’d expect next to a building that predates plumbing. Once again, my dream shot took a detour.

Blue Hour Brilliance and Beating the Crowd

Not to be deterred, I adapted. I arrived before dawn, long before the tour buses, souvenir hawkers, and selfie-stick armies took over. In that soft, silent window of early morning, I found a cobblestone walkway leading toward the Colosseum. The lines were perfect. The composition was strong. The air was still cool. The sky turned a deep, rich twilight blue while the Colosseum’s golden lights still glowed against it.

That was the moment. That was the shot. No scaffolding. No tourists. No yellow containers. Just me, my tripod, and a childhood dream realized.

The Image That Stays With Me

If I can give one piece of advice to fellow photographers, especially those just starting out, it’s this: set the alarm. Yes, even if it’s painful. Some of my favorite images have been captured in those quiet, early hours when most of the world is still asleep (or fumbling with espresso machines). There’s a stillness in the morning that gives both light and architecture room to breathe.

This Colosseum photograph became part of my American Society of Photographers Fellowship portfolio. As I write this, it’s hanging on the wall beside me, a constant reminder that patience, persistence, and a few early mornings can turn a lifelong dream into a frame-worthy reality.

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New Work: Colosseum at Twilight

This limited-edition fine art print is now available. It is a timeless piece for any collector inspired by history, architecture, or the magic of Rome in the morning. Visit VanDuinenPhotography.com for more information and opportunities to add this image to your collection.