In this article, Giorgos explains how he developed his skills and shares four essential aspects of photography that he believes are crucial in creating impactful and visually pleasing photographs. Giorgos shares some of his favorite travel experiences in Greece, the most significant photos he took during his trips, and the crucial lessons he learned along the way.
My love for traveling and photography stems from my childhood experiences of going on trips with my family, whether in our home country Greece or elsewhere. From a very young age, my parents would always bring a camera and snap photos of us and the places we visited. It was their way of preserving our memories and capturing the essence of our travels.
As I grew older and started taking trips on my own, I discovered that my passion for photography was just as strong as my love for exploring new places. Taking photos became a way for me to not only remember my experiences but also to share them with others. I found joy in capturing the beauty of my surroundings and translating what my eyes saw into a photograph that could convey the same feeling to others. Every place I went to, taught me something different which helped me realize certain rules, tricks, and tactics to improve an image.
One of the most unique and memorable experiences I’ve had was my trip to and stay at the castle of Monemvasia, a town located on a tied island off the east coast of the Peloponnese, Greece. The place has a rich history and exudes captivating energy. During my stay, I decided to attempt capturing the sunrise. As I shot Monemvasia with the sun’s first light, I learned the importance of daylight in landscape photography.
Another unforgettable memory of mine, which also gave me a new insight into effective photography, was my sunrise photography session at the Meteora monasteries. Located just a few kilometers northwest of Kalabaka in the plains of Thessaly, the impressive rocks of Meteora rise to heights of over 600 meters, making it one of the most incredible places in Greece. On the day of the shoot, I woke up early and braved the cold, making the long drive to the location. Upon arrival, I discovered that the low temperature and humidity impeded the functioning of my gear, and my camera couldn’t read my memory card. I had to return later during sunset, but the experience taught me the importance of taking care of my gear in adverse weather conditions and always having a backup plan.
After many other trips and learning more about photography from others, online, and by practicing, I find these four aspects to be most important to my photographs:
(1) Daylight: Lighting is a crucial aspect of photography, and daylight is one of the most readily available and versatile sources of light. It can create a wide range of moods and effects in any photograph depending on the time of day, direction, and quality of the light. For example, the soft, warm light of the “golden hour” just before sunset can create a romantic, dreamy effect, while the harsh, midday sun can create stark shadows and high contrast.
(2) Weather conditions: Different weather conditions can create different moods and effects, such as misty, moody landscapes on a foggy day or dramatic storm clouds in the sky. Being aware of the weather conditions helps me plan my shots, adjust my camera settings, and choose the right gear to protect my equipment.
(3) The main subject of the photograph: This is the reason why I am taking the picture. I find it important to consider how I want to showcase the subject and what elements I want to include in the frame to highlight it. This might involve adjusting the composition, choosing a different lens, or experimenting with angles and perspectives.
(4) The clear background: The background of a photograph can have a significant impact on the composition and the clarity of your subject. A clear, uncluttered background can help the subject stand out and make it easier for viewers to focus on it. Conversely, a busy or distracting background can take away from the impact of the subject and make the image less effective. By remembering to pay attention to the background, I can create more impactful and visually pleasing photographs.
I honed my skills by experimenting with the above four aspects, different techniques, and editing styles, always striving to create the best possible representation of what I had witnessed. I have a strong affinity for earthy tones and seize every opportunity to travel and photograph landscapes with these colors. As an example, I have one photo that was taken at Lake Doxa, an artificial lake located in Ancient Feneos of Korinthia at an altitude of 900 meters. I arrived early in the morning to capture the changing daylight and the diverse scenery throughout the day. I walked the entire length of the lake, had a beautiful picnic, and found each spot unique and perfect for both photography and relaxation. The most satisfying part of the day was reviewing the photographs at home, where I appreciated the autumnal color palette and how the landscapes transformed gradually with the sunset.
In general, I prefer not to heavily edit my photos because I want to preserve their natural information. Instead, I focus on finding the right angle in relation to the daylight to capture as much detail as possible with my lenses. Therefore, I often shoot during sunrise and sunset times. If my travel conditions do not allow for this, I sometimes use HDR or AEB to merge multiple exposures. During the editing process, I aim to highlight and emphasize certain details and colors without blending or changing them. When photographing landscapes, I strive to preserve their earthy tones as they appear to the eye.
However, there are times when I must edit a photo more extensively, such as in the case of the photo below which was taken at noon due to travel constraints. To compensate for the harsh light, I reduced the exposure and shadows, while increasing the highlights, whites, and blacks. I did not alter the colors or curve tone.
As I am just starting in the world of photography and have not yet undertaken any professional projects, I believe that my greatest accomplishment thus far has been creating a beautiful portfolio to promote my work. If I had to select a photograph that particularly means a lot to me, it would be the photo below, as it resembles an hourglass and symbolizes the time and effort I have invested in my craft to reach where I am today.
Throughout my photography journey, I have learned several valuable lessons. Here are four that have stood out to me:
Firstly, I have come to appreciate the importance of persistence and patience. Since I started taking photos, I have learned that it often takes a great deal of time and effort to capture the perfect shot. Sometimes, I have to wait for hours or even days to get the shot I want. However, with perseverance, I have been able to achieve my goals and create images that I am truly proud of.
Secondly, I have learned that it takes time and dedication to produce high-quality work. In photography, it can take many attempts to capture a single photograph that truly captures the essence of the moment. However, by putting in the necessary time and effort, I have been able to hone my skills and produce work that I am proud of.
Thirdly, I have gained a newfound appreciation for the power of travel and photography to connect people from all over the world. While traveling, I have met many people who were traveling alone with only their camera as their companion. Despite facing challenges and fatigue, these individuals always had a smile on their faces. This has taught me the importance of staying positive and finding joy in the journey, no matter the obstacles. Exploring new cultures, meeting new people, and seeing the world in a new light also opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that life has to offer and inspired me to continue to explore and create.
Finally, a significant lesson that I have learned is the importance of carefully planning when to photograph a landscape, taking into account the prevailing weather conditions. This is because the quality of light available at different times of the day can greatly impact the outcome of a photograph. By selecting the optimal time of day, when the light is just right, I have been able to capture breathtaking images that far exceeded my initial expectations.
If someone had asked me five years ago where I would see myself today, my answer would have been completely different. As people age, their needs and aspirations evolve. However, one thing that has remained constant is my desire to pursue my dreams, with my camera in hand. I want to travel the world to capture and explore new cultures, but also further discover my home country.
Every part of Greece is extremely beautiful. From the center of every city to the farthest mountain. The Greek islands have landscapes that remain in the memory of everyone who visited them forever. In the northern part of Greece, which is made up of most of its mountains, you will find picturesque villages full of warmth and hospitable people everywhere. In my most recent road trip to Peloponnese, I managed to harmoniously combine beautiful beaches with crystal clear water that has nothing to envy from our islands and at the same time wild mountains. This is also the reason that this region inspires me so much photographically.
Inspiration is key in life; it’s one of the best feelings. Actively seeking what inspires you, letting you be inspired, and subsequently doing something with that inspiration is incredibly satisfactory. Time passes by quickly, so I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams.
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