Discovering Naples Through Your Lens | Photography Jennifer Lind Schutsky
Discovering Naples Through Your Lens
I personally really liked the grid and grime of this city. Naples is such a compelling city for travel, food, history, texture, color. I follow a fellow photographer on Instagram and I just love everything he posts about Naples I know that it's a somewhat volatile city and one of the most corrupt cities in Italy but it's also one of the places that has the best food in my opinion and I'm really glad we went there even though no one in my family wants to go back I will go back another time by myself or with my husband to explore more of the beaches in other areas that we didn't really feel like we're safe for the kids.
Let’s start with some basics about Naples:
Getting Oriented: Neighborhoods & Landmarks include; Historic Centre (Centro Storico): Spaccanapoli, Via dei Tribunali, And of course the narrow alleys and street street life.
We stayed at Hotel Magris, which I can’t say was anything spectacular but it was a hotel that felt safe enough for my family to enjoy. They were a little bit weird bow outside food and drinks - we went out and grabbed pizza to go from a nearby pizzeria/focaccia restaurant and brought it back to our hotel for the kids to eat there and they told us that we were allowed to have any outside food in the hotel which does make sense because they have their own restaurant, although, I definitely would suggest eating out whenever possible in Naples because that's the entire point of me visiting that city.
Some places I want to visit next time we go:
Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum) – for art, Roman & Greek antiquities.
Museo di Capodimonte – for quieter moments, panoramic views, Neapolitan paintings.
Catacombs of San Gennaro in Rione Sanità – underground history, unusual architecture, moody photo ops.
The Seafront / Lungomare, Castel dell’Ovo & Borgo Marinari – for sunsets, sea breeze, views of Vesuvius.
Where to Eat: Neapolitan Food Hotspots
• Gino Sorbillo (Via dei Tribunali) – classic Neapolitan pizza.
• Di Matteo – also try pizza fritta.
• Starita (Materdei) – family-run, long history.
• Antica Pizzeria Da Michele – simple classics, famous reputation.
• Via Pignasecca / Via dei Tribunali: fritti, panzerotti, sfogliatella.
• Gelato & cafes near Piazza Plebiscito / along Via Toledo: Gran Caffè Gambrinus, etc.
Photography Tips & Tricks
Aim for early morning / golden hour / evening for soft light, better shadows, fewer tourists.
Mix wide angles (for broad cityscapes, seafront, castle views) and primes / portraits (for street life, portraits of locals, details).
Use leading lines: narrow alleys, staircases in Vomero, the funicular tracks, arches.
Capture textures: peeling walls, wrought iron balconies, colorful laundry, street vendors.
Be ready with your gear: extra batteries / memory cards; lens cloth (sea breeze + dust = smudged lens).
For iPhone / mobile: use grid lines for horizon, try live photos or burst mode for movement (vendors, scooters); use a small tripod or lean against stable surfaces in low light.
Respect light / shadows: historic churches, interiors, chapels — check rules on flash, tripod.
Safety & Awareness: Travel Tips for Naples
Petty crime is real: pickpockets are active in crowded areas (Centro Storico, train stations, Via Toledo). Keep valuables close; use anti-theft bags; avoid flashy displays.
Be careful at night: avoid dim alleys, isolated streets; stay in well-lit and populated areas. Neighborhoods like Forcella, streets around Piazza Garibaldi are fine in daytime, riskier after dark. Because everyone eat sooner so we in Italy we ended up walking to a restaurant around 10 PM which was fine because we had a man with us but I would definitely recommend that if women are walking alone they take a taxi or stay in well populated areas. It was really beautiful to hear all of the families cooking in the kitchen and eating dinner because the apartments and homes are so densely packed in the tiny alleys and streets that you feel a very intense intimacy with everybody in Naples.
Stay aware of local scams: overcharging “private taxis”, people selling “guided tours” off the street, or costumed characters asking for photos then demanding payment.
We did take a train from the outer area where we were staying to the center area but it was very confusing unlike any of the other metros in Europe that we've ever been on. We had to use our broken Italian to ask a family if we were headed the right direction. Whenever traveling make sure to find a mom with children she is less likely to lead you astray.
Since we were out to eat for dinner or food ended up being done around 1130 and we finished eating around midnight we didn't realize that the trains have stopped running back to our hotel and that we would need to take a taxi unfortunately most of the taxes were full at the night and done but we were able to find one and flag them down. It was really easy to tell which taxis we could fly down because they had a greenlight if they were available for service and a red light if they were unavailable for service. It was an extreme overcharge to take a taxi but at 12:15 in the morning with two young girls it made sense for us to take a cab as opposed to trying to walk back a further distance than they wanted to.
Beaches need caution too: there have been recent reports of thefts at Mappatella Beach. Never leave belongings unattended.
Transport awareness: be alert on public transport (metro, trains) during rush hour; use official taxis; check fixed fares from the airport or use ride apps.
I highly encourage you to enjoy the contrast in Naples — the gritty and the beautiful!
Reminder: with some awareness and respect, the city gives amazing photographic and culinary rewards.