The Power Of Nature - Gulf Of Corinth

Along The Road

We all face challenges and disappointments in life. 

Never underestimate the power of nature to soothe the soul. Sometimes, all you have to do is pull over to the side of the road, and there it will be waiting for you.

Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South

www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved

Cleaning The Square - Santorini

Welcoming An Unexpected Guest

There I was, spending a beautiful morning in an exotic location trying to capture as many shots as I could before the light faded to the bleached drab of mid day. I didn't want to waste time, so I moved from location to location as quickly as possible.

This square is adjacent to a famous church. When I finished photographing the church, I noticed this coral-colored wall with two benches. I thought that it would make an elegant composition if I could get a shot without people in the frame. (This spot is along the main pathway to the bus station. Lots of people pass through.)

Since, I wasn't planning to include people in the shot, I set my camera to base ISO and a slow shutter speed. I put the camera on the tripod and framed the composition. Just as I was about to take the shot, in walked this gentleman.

Cleaning The Square - Santorini

Now, I had a choice to make. I could move on to the next spot, but that would mean losing a composition which could never be repeated exactly.

I could have waited for the man to leave, but I wasn't sure how long he might stay, and the tourist traffic was increasing by the minute.

The final option was to include the man in the photo. I figured, what the heck? I can try to get a shot when he leaves; I might as well try to get one that includes him, as well. When I get home, I can select the one that I prefer.

I knew that I had to make an adjustment to capture the shot with the man in it. My original shutter speed would be too slow. People move, and movement at slow shutter speeds is rendered as a blur.

I made a quick calculation and boosted the ISO from 100 to 400. This enabled me to quadruple the shutter speed with minimal impact to overall image quality.

After the man moved on, I dialed the ISO back down to 100 and took a shot of the original composition with no people. I prefer the shot with the man included, so I'm glad that I took the extra steps necessary to capture the moment. I would like to thank him very much for dropping by. His presence made the shot.



Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South

www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved

Metéora

Mountaintop Monasteries

Imagine a monastery perched atop a pillar of rock several hundred feet above the valleys below. If you want to visit the monastery, you'll need to be prepared to climb a long series of winding stone staircases.

Monastery of the Holy Trinity - Metéora

Now imagine six such monasteries clustered together in a small area, and you'll have an idea what awaits intrepid tourists at Metéora.

Varlaám Monastery - Metéora

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Metéora in Northern Greece has a rugged terrain featuring enormous rock outcroppings towering up to 1,800 feet above the surrounding plane.

Towering Rock Formations - Metéora

Hermetic monks began to settle in this area in the late Middle Ages. The challenging terrain discouraged visitors and marauders from disturbing their encampments.

Eventually, the monks began to build monasteries on the peaks of the rock spires. More than twenty monasteries were constructed, but only six remain in existence today.

The Monastery of St. Stephen at Dusk

Metéora is a fascinating destination for any traveler who can manage the stair climbing that's required.

Metéora at Sunset

Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lenses:     Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
                Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South

www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved

Red Crosses White Chapel - Santorini

The View from Oia

Words can't describe Oia. So when you go, take lots of photographs. Lots and lots of photographs.

Red Crosses on White Chapel - Santorini

Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VRII

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South

www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved

Red and White Chapel - Mykonos

A View from the Countryside

The Greek island of Mykonos has hundreds of chapels spread along its shores, hills, and roadways. Many chapels were built by sailors in hopes of safe passage on rough seas.

I had time to photograph only a handful of these lovely chapels, many of which are reserved for use only one day a year. This rustic beauty was one of my favorites.

Red and White Chapel - Mykonos, Greece

The chapel is located on a small, winding road in the countryside, far from the crowded shops and restaurants of Mykonos Town. The altitude here afforded a clear view of the sea. I liked the contrast of the blue of the sky and water against the red roof and dome.



Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VRII

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South

www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved

Exploring Santorini

Blue Dome in Soft Light

Santorini is a stunningly beautiful island in the Aegean Sea. It's also relatively easy to visit. A handful of comfortably walkable towns are draped along the edges of dramatic ocean cliffs.

Santorini, or Thira as it's known in Greece, is a fragment of an ancient volcano. Sea views from steep "caldera" side of the island are breathtaking. The architecture in each of these towns is uniformly elegant.

The cliffside topology adds a vertical dimension to the touring experience. Turn to one side, and you'll be looking upward at structures; in the other direction, you'll be looking out over rooftops. Many of the famous view of Santorini incorporate the ability to look out over the roofs of churches and chapels.

Blue Dome in Soft Light - Santorini

The chapel pictured above is a well-known landmark in the lovely town of Oia. The chapel isn't large, but it would be challenging to shoot from this vantage point without being able to stand above it on the cliffside. 

The main pedestrian route through Oia runs right past the chapel. I stood on that pathway when I snapped this photo. Everyone with a camera or smart phone or a tablet stops here - just about in this very spot - and takes a photo.

So, why did I bother to take yet another photo of something that's photographed thousands of times a day? Why not? I was there. And I felt that I had my own interpretation to add to the heap.

This shot was taken on a cloudy morning and benefits from the softness of the light. On other days, direct sunlight yielded a higher-contrast look. I appreciate them equally.

I took great care to maximize sharpness, detail, color fidelity, and dynamic range with every shot. After all, I need to keep up with those ubiquitous tablets and smart phones! ;-)


Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S 

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South

www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved

Bourtzi Fortress at Dusk - Nafplio

Castle On The Water

My brief stop in Nafplio coincided with uncharacteristically rainy weather. The showers ended about an hour before sunset, but thick cloud cover remained.

I wanted this shot dearly. The enchanting island fortress of Bourtzi hovers so elegantly just above the calm waters. But the light from the gloomy sky was far from flattering.

My only hope was that the town would have the good sense to illuminate their lovely little Venetian-style castle. I set up my tripod, focused the camera and waited for dusk to fall.

Bourtzi Fortress at Dusk, Nafplio

I was extremely fortunate. Floodlights emerged as the evening sky began to darken. Fog draped distant mountains and added to the atmosphere.

I love the mix of cool, blue dusk punctuated with highlights from warm, artificial sources. Daylight white balance captured the blue cast of the evening sky simultaneously with the orange glow of the mercury vapor lamps. 

The image required almost no post-processing, only sharpening and a dash of contrast. The atmospheric conditions and the magnificent mix of light sources are what make the photo stand out.

This is one of my very favorite photos of Greece. Thank you, Nafplio, for turning on the lights!



Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VRII

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South

www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved