I’m going to be in Rome in 2 weeks, and I am a photography enthusiast. Any advice on less known but beautiful spots in Rome that will make great photo spots?
The Via Appia Antica comes to mind, also the area of the Celian Hill (above the Colosseum). Side streets almost anywhere in the Centro Storico. Time of day (early morning or late afternoon) is important. Rain is a plus as well, but you probably know that.
Any church. The Orange Garden on Aventine Hill. The hills around the Children's Museum and the adjacent neighborhood.
Virtually any small alley. Outside the city centre Parco deli Acquedotti. ALL of Rome is a photographer's dream as history is around every corner. Enjoy.
The Gianicolo late afternoon or near sunset; I second Appia Antica.
I will recommend the Trastevere neighbourhood http://trastevereroma.com/en/
It is a beautiful neighbourhood that combines world class gardening with classy architecture, and is especially enchanting early in the morning.
Check out Aventine Hill in the early evening for the best sunset picture opportunity in Rome.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Rome/Aventino-Testaccio
If you are not on a tight budget, you may want to consider photography tours. I went on a street photography tour by Marco. Marco is the guide behind the Humans of Rome, and he is giving tours through Mekomy.
http://www.mekomy.com/users/100
Moses sculpture by Michelangelo inside Saint Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vencoli) church a couple of blocks north of the Colosseum.
Do not use a flash inside churches (but you probably know that already, too). I find that unless I have the place all to myself, interior shots of specific artworks are never as good as the post card versions. Then there's the flash issue.
Get up early, walk outside your hotel room and look around.... Photo ops everywhere... You just need to be out before everyone else to be able to capture them...watch the city wake up:)
The great thing about Rome is that even the most-recognized sights are magical in certain light. I love the fountain at Piazza della Repubblica (Piazza Esedra to Romans) in the early morning or at sunset.
One thing I do is check out photos other people have taken. If you're interested, here are some I've taken in Rome:
Rome 2013 highlights
Rome 2008 and 2011 highlights