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.

https://bit.ly/3VNVJDg

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

Etherial Beauty At Athena Lindia

Etherial Beauty At Athena Lindia 

I entered the citadel high above the town of Lindos as soon as the gates opened.

If I had my way I’d had been set up and shooting at first light but that was not possible as the site was out of bounds to the public until 8am.

Ive visited the site a couple of times over the years but this time I wanted to shoot in the early morning light without hordes of tourists.

The light was fabulous, crystal clear and still fairly low enough in the sky to create some wonderful textures upon the historic pillars and dusty ground.

I covered many angles but I do admit I love shooting into the sun when I can.

Contre-jour light is one of the most beautiful hence why it’s been used by fashion photographers for decades.

Being here pretty much on my own was wonderful although I didn’t have much time to sit around (which was a shame) admiring the location.

I knew the coaches of tourists were no doubt on route and the site would soon get busy plus the light was also gaining in intensity and losing those wonderful textures.

This was probably my favourite image created from that morning. 

I love the tree caressing the temple wall and the pop of colour it adds to the bright tones of the location from it’s leaves.

As I often do at these incredible places I gazed at the scene wondering what things had unfolded here over the centuries.

These historic sites have fascinated me since childhood and inspire me to continue to capture them in my own particular way.

https://bit.ly/44LjrRL

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

https://bit.ly/3wk8Gdk

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

https://bit.ly/3qNEbK7

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.

https://bit.ly/3xjcigb

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.

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https://bit.ly/4aHFdsY