Archway Into The Old Town

Archway Into The Old Town

This was my second visit to shoot this beututiful archway in the old town of Rhodes.The first time here a year or so before produced an image that just didnt work the way I had visioned and I knew I’d never be happy unless I returned to shoot here again.

I arrived in the dark and set up my camera a little too early for a shot like this where more dawn light in the sky is ideal. 

I however used the time to expore a few angles and dial in my ideal composition and then waited.

I greeted a few people walking through the arch who looked like they had experienced a good night on the town and definately ready for bed!

As soon as the light was where I wanted it I started shooting and covering several angles.Once satisfied I had the image I wanted I packed my gear and headed to my next location to capture the sunrise.

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Ascend To The Temple

Ascend To The Temple

Steps ascend towards the temple ruins at the acropolis above Lindos Rhodes.

This was the morning I entered the citadel above Lindos as soon as the gates opened around 8.00 am.

Rather late in the morning for my desire to capture great light but not being able to enter the site before opening without seeking some special permissions and no doubt a whole lot of paperwork I decided I’d just have to take what light I was blessed with.

As it turned out everything still looked beautiful and I ventured around the site enjoying the place pretty much to myself

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Night Falls Nisyros

Night Falls Nisyros

I spent a week watching the light change across the sea from Kos towards the island of Nisyros from dawn till dusk. It was one of those mesmerising views you couldn't get tired of watching.

Before the end of the weeks visit to Kos I had captured a few images of the island mainly at sunrise but I had already had something else in mind at nightfall.

On the last evening I set up my camera ready to shoot Nisyros after the sun had set.

I had noticed the planes coming in to land took a flight path over the island towards Kos airport and knew they would leave a light trail which I decided to leave in the final image.

If you follow my work you will know I don’t like wide angle lenses too much but prefer the more compressed look from medium focal lenses. This perspective suits the quieter moments I prefer to create.

I sat ready to capture the image once the light was at the perfect balance for what I call The Edge Of Darkness.

The sea was calm with a very slight refreshing breeze as the sun faded into the deep blue tones of the fast approaching night sky.

There was wonderful anticipation to compliment the silence as I sat and watches this beautiful scene unfold.

Incredibly I must have sat watching and shooting until you could hardly make out any separation between sky and the mountains of the island.

A beautiful experience which I spent time to create when I returned home to produce the final image here.

https://bit.ly/3SDTnFg

First Light St Pauls Bay

First Light St Pauls Bay

I had just completed a shoot of St Pauls Chapel at the bottom of Lindos bay and made a hasty walk to the top of the cliff.

The reason for my urgency was I wanted to capture this wide vista of the whole bay before the sun rose and with the street lights still illuminating the pathway down to the waterside chapel.

Unknown to me I had much more time than I had expected and spent a good 30-40 minutes shooting a few variations as the light of dawn increased in intensity.

I love the colour contrast between the cool hues of night, the artificial warmth of the street lighting and the red tones of the approaching morning sun.

It was a wonderful morning very quiet and peaceful broken only by the occasional sound of Donkeys braying echoing off the surrounding cliffs.

I was thoroughly lost in the place which is not unusual for me in between being engrossed with working my camera.

Lindos has a wonderful atmosphere away from the summer crowds, I've shot here many times but still, find myself drawn back to explore further and capture more fine art collect

https://bit.ly/3Rwtjdm

Revisiting Dawn At The Gate

I had visited St Pauls Gate in the old town of Rhodes on a previous trip to the island but wasn’t happy with the images I captured.

This visit like before was also before sunrise and that gave me time to shoot this historic location illuminated by the warm ornate lights perfectly balanced with the dawn reflected in the cool sky.

As with most trips out at this time of day I had the place pretty much to myself.

There were the odd person clearing bins and sweeping streets and a few party goers staggering back to their hotels and of course several obligatory greek cats keeping me company.

I knew precisely one of the images and the composition I wanted but that could wait until just before sunrise.In the meantime I went and explored the area for other interesting images to create.

After all these years shooting before dawn I never tire of the experience.

Seeing the dawn light transition across the horizon in tone and colour and how the sounds of the world around you all seem to slowly awaken at the same time is something magical.

It’s a struggle to rise at some ungodly hour in the summertime and venture out but rarely am I disappointed I did.

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Blue Hues Agios Nikolaos Church

Yet another wonderful sunrise greeted me in Rhodes.

I was staying in Kolimbia and decided to venture the short car ride to the harbour for sunrise one morning.

The harbour was fairly modern and not quite old and rustic like I had hoped for however it was still lovely in the warm clear morning light.

As I explored further I spotted this church perched elevated above the entrance of the harbour.

It was perfectly located for my preference to shoot into the sun for what I consider the most beautiful of natural lighting.

The blues of the doorway was stood in harmony with the Greek flag flying proudly in the sea breeze against an equally complimentary clear blue morning sky.

What is it about blues hues and Greece ? whatever it is it has become one of my favourite colours over the years.

This all contrasted beautifully with the warm sunrise and iconic bright stone walls of this small Greek Othordox Church.

It was a difficult and tight angle to shoot as I was lower than the church which is often not a good viewpoint.

 I composed my image deciding to capture the scene in several parts and combine them later.

This enabled me to avoid using a wide angle lens and the distortion it would give looking up towards the church.

The church was locked but I did sit and watch the harbour start to wake and boats being readied for the day ahead.

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Rendezvous In Rhodes

It was a mild April evening on Ialysos Beach Rhodes.

I’d been here for the week with friends enjoying Easter on the island and of course, shooting a few images.

Close to our hotel was this pontoon on the beach and I decided it might make an interesting focal point within the beautiful 

coastal view across the Aegean Sea to Turkey.

https://youtu.be/b41nWWnHkzc

The evening I chose to shoot was mild and slightly cloudy but I felt we might get an interesting sunset so set out to explore the location.

I often will create work this way where I take a hunch about the potential of a location then set up and see what unfolds before me.

There were a few people at the beach no doubt having a pre-evening meal walk and enjoying the setting sun.

I decided on the best composition to capture the scene and started to set up my tripod & camera.

As I started to shoot some frames I noticed this chap waiting on the end of the pontoon gazing across the sea towards the Turkish coast and mountains.

He waited in pretty much the same spot below the light for probably 45 minutes on his own.

I presumed he was waiting to meet someone, who was it ? why hadn’t they turned up to meet him ? 

These were all the questions that popped into my head as I enjoyed the sunset and the sound of the calm waves caressing the beach.

As I captured the last ounces of the day reflecting onto the sea the gentleman eventually left shortly followed by myself.

I decided to title this image Rendezvous In Rhodes and still wonder if indeed he was there on the pontoon at sunset waiting for someone who never showed.

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Solitude On Sedgemoor

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The grass that morning was damp underfoot and a light mist hung over the river. The sun began to rise on the horizon with Glastonbury Tor clearly visible in the hazy distance.

This is South Drain at Catcot a very special place for me on the Somerset levels.

It's a place I’ve photographed for more than 35 years and in an area I learned my photography.

More than all that it’s a place I brought my mum regularly in her twilight years to enjoy the view.

The image here was captured not long after her passing.

I ventured out at dawn with my drone wanting a fresh perspective of this familiar place and I certainly got that.

https://youtu.be/Jn4ZhzqcIAQ

The grass that morning was damp underfoot and a light mist hung over the river. The sun began to rise on the horizon with Glastonbury Tor clearly visible in the hazy distance.

I only flew for around 20 minutes but the wonderful new perspective of this familiar place was incredible

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A Summer Morning At The Palace

A Summer Morning At The Palace

I entered the Palace of the grand masters as soon as it opened.

I had successfully bribed my children with breakfast in the old town to get them out of bed early.

This would ensure great light, no crowds and avoid the august heat from sapping the enthusiasm  to explore.

We explored the inner exterior courtyard first of all then the followed by the cool beautiful interior of the palace.

As we ventured further I notice an old locked glass door that led onto this fabulous balcony overlooking the palace and courtyard below.

The morning light was warm and wonderful creating fabulous shadows across the ornate floor.

I managed to position my camera as close to the slightly distorted old glass of the door hoping I could get a clear angle and the glass wouldn’t create too much distortion to the images.

This turned out to be one of several wonderful images I managed to capture of the palace that morning and probably my favourites.

We left the palace as the crowds began to increase and found a wonderful cafe in a small square in the old town.

We sat at a table in the shade of a tree and ate well deserved pancake breakfast that my children still talk about to this day.

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Bygone Farming In Somerset

Bygone Farming In Somerset

I’ve mentioned before the Somerset Levels is where I learnt my photography as a young man spending many hours getting lost down droves and lanes, taking hundreds of pictures many of which were total failures, but provided me with a great learning curve and rather large archive.

Yesterday I went with my family to a favourite and special place on the Somerset levels at Catcot.

On the way home, we decided to stop off at Shapwick Visitor Centre to look around the gallery and have a coffee.

I admired many of the artists that were represented in the gallery, and one particularly who is quite well-known for his watercolour paintings of Somerset, farming and the countryside.

It reminded me of some images I’d captured nearly 20 years ago of a historic agricultural show near Langport.

I decided to delve into my vast archive of well over 300 thousand images and find them to take a look at what I documented.

What I found filled me with huge excitement as I could see the potential they held.

It’s not uncommon for me to capture images that I’m drawn to and then file them away without touching them further for a few months but 19 years is probably a record! 

I’ve now created a beautiful collection that I’ll be offering in my fine art gallery shortly

Here are a couple you might enjoy and share with some who may remember these tractors and way of life.

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A Place To Pause

A Place To Pause Old Town Rhodes

The majority of my work is creating tranquil vistas of beautiful places especially in Greece.
I do however get drawn to shoot the details in these locations especially those filled with rustic texture and colour that tell a story.
Chairs are one such item I find myself drawn towards on several occasions.

While taking an early evening stroll around Rhodes old town I found myself once again on my own while my wife popped into yet another shop to browse for something. As I slowly walked onwards down a side street I came across this wonderful rustic chair outside a shop.
It was conveniently placed in a shaded area close to the shop doorway and used to rest and chat to neighbouring shop owners during the long hot busy days. I imagined many wrongs being put right from here, many coffees drank and tales told.

I love the time worn textures in this image both on the chair and the historic city walls oh what stories they could tell.

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Perched On The Chapel At Dawn

Perched On The Chapel At Dawn

I sometimes return from a shoot and only complete in creating a few final images from the hundreds I often shoot.

I then like in this case come across some of them in my archive many months or a year or two later and decide to create them into a finished piece for my gallery collection.

This is one of several images I captured in Lindos early one morning before the sun broke into full glory.

I had shot this lovely street leading towards the beautiful whitewashed Chapel of Saint George Pahimahiotis and the beach below 10 minutes earlier. As I finshed shooting a street cleaner came along and washed the pathway and the wet stone looked so much better in the morning light that I reshot everything again before the sun rose.

Now I could say I suddenly spotted a bird perched upon the church roof and quickly composed my camera to capture the tranquil scene. The truth however is that I somehow didn’t notice the bird until I started to create the image in post production so it was quite a lovely surprise to discover it poised upon the roof enjoying the dawn.

I particularly love the warmth provided by the rustic street lamp and the rustic narrow path through the whitewashed village homes. Typical for Lindos and just one good reason I keep returning to capture images and enjoy this stunning location.

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Clearing Clouds At Cameo Island

It was October and my first visit to Zakynthos.

I had done a little research before the trip and picked a couple of locations that I was intrigued and drawn to and Cameo Island Bridge was one of them.

The island is located at the harbour in the Agios Sostis which was a short drive from by hotel.

The pre-dawn starts are generally more enjoyable in the autumn compared to the 4.30am summer starts.

Sunrise being that much later does however carry the risk of more people being up and about but that was not the case on this trip.

Shoots especially early ones are normally a lone affair however my 16-year-old eldest daughter Gracie once again decided she wanted to enjoy the sunrise with me and take some behind-the-scenes footage for me.

The only downside is my normal tranquil mornings are out the window due to her constant nattering! :)

We arrived at the harbour in the dark and a little earlier than needed but ready to set up once the light started to give some illumination.

The weather was a little unsettled and we experienced a very small shower while setting up the camera but this gave some wonderful clouds which is a rarity in Greece at least for me,

I found a great angle and captured the bridge together with the harbour lights in the cool hues before sunrise.

I could have called it done at that point as the image looked wonderful.

Call it experience or a hunch but I knew the sunrise combined with the clouds could give a fantastic range

of colour and textures and transform the scene into something completely else.

My experience/hunch was spot on and we were given a wonderful display as the sunrise broke over the horizon.

We returned back to the hotel for breakfast fully energised by the beautiful morning we had experienced but the day got better.

Later that day we returned to the harbour with the rest of our extended family group (13 in total) to show them the wonderful location and also in the slim hope the girls in our group might see any Turtles that are known to frequent this part of the island.

As we walked the harbour a small crowd gathered as a very large Turtle surfaced next to a fishing boat.

What a perfect way to end a stunning morning in Greece certainly not my first and hopefully more to come on trips in 2024.

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Golden Dawn Argassi Bridge & Boat

This was another view that I captured while shooting this amazing 19th-century Venetian bridge located on Argassi Beach in Zakynthos. Greece.

The first image was more about showcasing this incredible rustic bridge within the seascape. With this image, I wanted to show its relationship to the coastline.

I was initially drawn as often is the case to the morning light breaking through the palm trees and especially this small wooden boat lying on the beach.

It certainly didn’t cry out Greece it looked initially like a scene from some Caribbean island. Having said that where else would you find a 19th-century bridge gracefully sat in the sea!

It’s no wonder Greece has remained such a big part of my life, especially through a camera lens.

View Fine Art Website

https://bit.ly/4aHFdsY

AGIOS SOSTIS PORT CHAPEL

Agios Sostis Port Chapel

It was October and my first visit to Zakynthos.I had arrived before dawn at Agios Sostis to photograph the dawn and sunrise at Cameo Island Bridge which turned out perfect.

I was very happy I could have called it a good morning’s work and headed back to the hotel ( I do love my breakfast) but there was at least another hour of beautiful warm morning light to make the most of.

Having parked on the harbour quay earlier in the dark I was delighted to discover I had parked right next to a quaint and unusual Greek Chapel.

The Agios Sostis Chapel was tiny inside in fact too small for my and daughter Gracie to enter together comfortably.

It seems to have been sculptured from what looked like sandstone.

Despite searching I haven't found much information about the chapel but I’m glad I had the opportunity to capture this image of this unusual little chape in the early morning light.

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