I took this shot on the island of Therasia in the Aegean archipelago of Santorini. For me, it’s quite a simplistic image with an abstract edge. I took it on a sunny, hazy day after I had been wandering around the island in the shimmering heat, ready to seek out more of the island’s characterful corners. I had ventured down to the port of Riva (Agia Irini), Therasia’s main port, and upon reaching the crystalline waters at the foot of the bay, was really struck by the width and breadth of the landscapes around me. An ancient mountainous realm, the peaks and cliffs of the islands are believed to reach a top altitude of over 1,800ft above sea level, creating a striking range that is sometimes hard to appreciate from above.
That said, the atmosphere and drama created by the island’s volcanic slopes were really apparent in the natural features around the port. Nestled at the foot of steep and rugged cliffs, the port enjoyed a cocoon-like effect and really gave a sense of scale to the island’s volcanic architecture. In this image, I particularly like the way that the midday haze creates a striking, staggered shading effect, beautifully contrasting the forms of the cliffs as they jut out into the sea. The blue tones create a really magical quality, while clearly separating each face and encouraging you to really absorb the setting. The crowning features are the glimpses of Iera Moni Kimisis Theotokou (Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary) built in 1851, and Akrotiri Lighthouse built in 1892 beyond, both of which are dwarfed by the gargantuan cliffs.
I took this shot on the island of Therasia in the Aegean archipelago of Santorini. For me, it’s quite a simplistic image with an abstract edge. I took it on a sunny, hazy day after I had been wandering around the island in the shimmering heat, ready to seek out more of the island’s characterful corners. I had ventured down to the port of Riva (Agia Irini), Therasia’s main port, and upon reaching the crystalline waters at the foot of the bay, was really struck by the width and breadth of the landscapes around me. An ancient mountainous realm, the peaks and cliffs of the islands are believed to reach a top altitude of over 1,800ft above sea level, creating a striking range that is sometimes hard to appreciate from above.
That said, the atmosphere and drama created by the island’s volcanic slopes were really apparent in the natural features around the port. Nestled at the foot of steep and rugged cliffs, the port enjoyed a cocoon-like effect and really gave a sense of scale to the island’s volcanic architecture. In this image, I particularly like the way that the midday haze creates a striking, staggered shading effect, beautifully contrasting the forms of the cliffs as they jut out into the sea. The blue tones create a really magical quality, while clearly separating each face and encouraging you to really absorb the setting. The crowning features are the glimpses of Iera Moni Kimisis Theotokou (Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary) built in 1851, and Akrotiri Lighthouse built in 1892 beyond, both of which are dwarfed by the gargantuan cliffs.
