8 Greek Photographers Talk About Making Art During Quarantine
8 Greek Photographers Talk About Making Art During Quarantine
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I love Greece and thanks to Greek photographers, it doesn’t feel quite so far away.
At a time where the world is in quarantine and we are unable to travel I have never been more grateful for the ability to be transported to a different place entirely through gorgeous imagery.
Online I have been back to Santorini, photos sparking a warm nostalgia for the whitewashed buildings and blue domed churches that so many people know and love.
In pictures I have seen the usually bustling streets of Athens peaceful and quiet. I have even added some new places to my list for when I can travel again.
I was so excited when some of these Greek photographers agreed to share with me how they are making art and keeping creativity alive in a time of quarantine.
I am grateful that, despite being confined within our own homes, in some ways connection has felt stronger than ever. These incredible Greek photographers continue to light up my feed. Now let them light up yours!
Reminder: We have been allowed to share these photos with permission from their original owners. Show your support for the magic these Greek photographers have created by browsing their galleries and connecting with them. #communityappreciation
Anna
Anna has Greek roots but began her journey with photography in Stockholm when she bought her first camera in high school.
What’s your favourite thing about Greece?
It’s definitely that Greeks still live in the countryside or small cities despite it being difficult to find jobs there. And that people are also able to keep Greek culture very much alive even though it is more difficult when you move to Athens or other big cities.
What are you most looking to doing in Greece after quarantine is over?
To visit my family and home in Epirus!
What’s is your favourite photo you have taken of Greece and why?
It’s the photo of a table for four in the village Pyrgos in Tinos island. There is so much beauty, creativity and handcrafted exteriors in that village. You see art everywhere and in every corner and you keep shooting until you are forced to leave…
Do you have a positive experience to share about this time in Greece?
I saw a glimpse of Alkistis Protopsaltis’ concert on a truck through Athens last weekend, you get very emotional when you watch those moments!
Are you still finding things to shoot right now?
I have started to photograph more lifestyle images indoors, which will soon be included in my portfolio of course.
In what ways has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
The fact we can’t meet without restrictions has limited me regarding shooting portraits in some ways, on the other hand I am testing new lifestyle shoots indoors instead. I am fortunate to live in a house with a lot of big windows!
You can see more of this Greek photographers work on her personal website.
☞ Related: Your Master Guide To All Greek Islands And How To Pick One
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Nicoletta
Based in Santorini Nicoletta is one of the Greek photographers whose pictures have captivated many. Being a ‘Greek buddy’ she aims to show travelers the ‘real soul of Santorini’. You can find out more on her website. When I asked Nicoletta what her favourite photo was she said she didn’t have one, and the explanation she offered was interesting. Instead she urged me to choose some of my own, and that I did. While the photos below aren’t dominated by blue domed buildings, they are strikingly beautiful and uniquely Nicoletta.
What is your favourite thing about Greece?
My favourite thing about Greece is that it makes me feel at home. It was my dream to live in Santorini and I made it!
What are you most looking forward to doing in Greece after quarantine is over?
Come back!!! Currently, I am in Italy for family reasons and I can’t wait to sit on my terrace, sipping a cup of tea and enjoy the view of my village.
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken in Greece and why?
I don’t have a favourite photo! And you know why? Santorini is considered such a ”mainstream” place that what I am trying to do with my photography (and writing) is to offer a different angle! This is quite a challenge! I try very hard to look around and avoid the classic shots, sometimes this is almost impossible, other times I succeed!
Do you have a positive experience to share about this time in Greece?
Even though I am currently in Milan, I think about Greece all the time! The good thing is that I can focus on my blog and future projects being forced to stay home. I always have a virtual window open on Santorini, which makes me dream and look forward to being back.
Are you still finding things to shoot right now?
Not really but I am working on my hard drive and I have found good shots that I forgot about.
In what ways has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
An artist whom I used to assist in the past once told me that if you want to learn to take good pictures, you have to read books, go to the cinema and theatre, listen to music. So in this way quarantine is helping my photography a lot! I have time to read, watch good movies, take lessons online about art and the history of photography and am listening to good music.
☞ Related: 4 Of The Best Greek Movies For Lovers of Greece
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Prozac Photography
Dimitris and Thanos are the wonderful duo behind Prozac Photography. Their urban and aerial shots give an incredibly artistic and unique perspective of Greece.
Dimitris
What is your favourite thing about Greece?
The best thing for me in Greece is exactly this period of time, I enjoy the sun and the happiness that it brings to people. I enjoy the strolls that you can take and mostly going to the beach all day long. These things are exactly what I am expected to do after quarantine and I’m looking forward to it.
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken in Greece and why?
My favourite photo is the following on the left. I know that I have taken better shots, but I chose this one due to the amount of work I did in order to capture the milky way. I remember studying long exposure photography, studying this phenomenon, downloading apps that can help me spot it, and mostly the large amount of time I spent in the field, and the thrill I had, to capture this. I cannot wait to escape the quarantine and pursue even greater milky way shots in different places in Greece.
In what ways has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
As far as the quarantine concerns, it has influenced my photography negatively. I am talking photography as a hobby and not as a job. The inspiration almost went to zero, and my photography was substituted by other more important things concerning the coronavirus and its implications in all aspects of life. Especially for me, as I enjoy talking photos in the field, staying home affected my hobby badly.
Thanos
What is your favourite thing about Greece?
As a photographer my favourite thing about Greece is all the great sceneries that you can capture, the beauty of nature at its best.
What are you most looking forward to doing in Greece after quarantine is over?
Get to as many destinations as possible and stay away from home.
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken in Greece and why?
This photo with the boats rounded is one of my favourites because it was a project that took a lot of my time and creativity but in the end, it really paid off for my standards.
Do you have a positive experience to share about this time in Greece?
This time has created the opportunity to appreciate the little things you took for granted and spend some time with yourself and family.
Are you still finding things to shoot right now?
As a drone photographer I can’t do much from home so it has not been easy for me.
In what was has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
With all this free time I get to plan many future ideas and projects to come.
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Michalis
Michalis was our photographer for a photo shoot we did for Definitely Greece. He took us to some of the most picturesque places around the city, and we finished on Areopagus hill under the Acropolis at sunset.
If you are looking for things to do in Athens, why not hire a photographer for the evening. Michalis is the perfect photographer to escort you. He is warm and friendly, a wonderfully consistent characteristic of the Greek people, and his artistic ability will leave you with the most precious memories of your time in the capital.
What is your favourite thing about Greece?
Greece is a great place to stay or just visit. I personally enjoy the combination of sea, sun, nice food and the historical background that it offers.
What are you most looking forward to doing in Greece after quarantine is over?
The simple things, like going for a walk and taking some photos, enjoying a drink at a roof bar in the centre and grabbing a souvlaki afterwards.
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken in Greece and why?
I generally like night photography. It is something challenging, needs high end equipment and you get unique results. People get quite excited to see crystal clear photos during our photo shoot in Syntagma square by the fountains and at Monastiraki square.
Do you have a positive experience to share about this time in Greece?
It is nice to see people united against the virus and caring for each other.
Are you still finding things to shoot right now?
I did some night photography of historical buildings and monuments before rules became stricter.
In what ways has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
People try to stay home as much as possible so it’s difficult to do anything. I hope that the situation will be resolved soon.
You can find out more about Michalis on his personal website.
☞ Related: Visit Michalis’ personal website
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Christos
What are Greek photographers to do at home during quarantine? Well Christos has taken his art in a new direction – macrophotography. You can see below how he is creatively showcasing the more intimate details of everyday life. Isolation for him has ignited a spark, a passion for finding beauty within his own home. You can see more of this Greek photographers work on his personal website.
What is your favourite thing about Greece?
There is no favourite thing when we talk about Greece. Greece is my homeland and I love the blue of the sky and sea and the white of the good spirit of the people in Greece.
What are you most looking forward to doing in Greece after quarantine is over?
The first thing that I will do after quarantine is to have a long road trip down to Peloponnesus and especially in Mani. Mani has a great natural environment and has maybe the most beautiful undiscovered villages.
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken in Greece and why?
I have many “favourites”. And I say that because favourite isn’t only because it’s beautiful but because every photo includes memories. My favourite photo so far (until my next one) is of the village below. In this photo you can feel the village hospitality, smell the traditional village kitchen, and find calm from the noise of the city.
Do you have a positive experience to share about this time in Greece?
The positive experience is that the people in Greece have come together to follow the measures that the government has given. This shows that despite our Mediterranean temperament, we can cope and act responsibly.
Are you still finding things to shoot right now?
Yes of course! I have discovered macrophotography. Quarantine gave me the spark to think and find beautiful things inside the house. And as I always say: There are beautiful things everywhere, as long as you are willing to discover them.
In what ways has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
My photography has been influenced by quarantine in many ways. The most and more critical is that I cannot go outside and find beautiful themes to take pictures of in nature. But on the other hand, it has influenced me to study new techniques and learn more by reading relative books and spend many hours watching videos regarding video and photography.
☞ Related: You can visit the Peloponnese with us The Land of Heroes – Peloponnese
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Tzichan
Sometimes the hustle of day to day life clouds and that with which we are so familiar, but quarantine has given Greek photographers like Tzichan a new artistic perspective. But this new perspective hasn’t affected his future travel plans. Tzichan’s next destination is the Greek Island of Naxos. This came as no surprise to me as Naxos has so many things to do and is a particular favourite for nature lovers like Tzichan, with trails all over the island and the highest point in the Cyclades, Mount Zeus, the opportunities for adventure are endless. I can’t wait to see the beauty that I know this photographer will capture when he can travel again.
What is your favourite thing about Greece?
My favourite thing about Greece is the variety of the things you can do in such a small geographical area.
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken in Greece?
My favourite photograph I’ve taken in Greece is a sunset photo in Santorini.
Do you have a positive experience to share about this time in Greece?
The positive thing about quarantine is that you get to know your place better.
Are you still finding things to shoot right now?
I’m currently shooting the nature around my home.
In what ways has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
I have learnt to study better a place that you are familiar with, changing my perspective.
☞ Related: 2 Sunsets In Santorini: How To Make The Most Out Of Two Days in Santorini
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Athanasios
For nature lovers like Greek photographer Athanasios, the mountains are calling now more than ever. Being confined indoors creates an intense longing for wide open spaces and the joy that wild adventures can give us. Check out his video below that has some incredible aerial footage of Greece and also carries an important message, stay safe and stay home. The mountains will wait for us!
What is your favourite thing about Greece?
My favourite things in Greece are the landscapes and flavours of Greek cuisine.
What are you most looking forward to doing in Greece after quarantine is over?
I will go hiking at Τimfy Mountain in Zagorohoria.
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken in Greece and why?
It is a landscape at Timfy Mountain.
Do you have a positive experience to share about this time in Greece?
I think Greek people have reacted in a good way, protecting themselves and the others around them.
Are you still finding things to shoot right now?
The quarantine has been a creative period for me because I had the opportunity to see my hometown, Thessaloniki in a different way.
In what ways has your photography been influenced by the quarantine?
My photography has been affected because I can’t travel to take photos in a period like spring which is very interesting for me.
You can see more of his work on his personal website.
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- These Greek photographers provided uplifting messages in both their words and their art, how are you finding ways to stay positive at home?
Marcia
Kia Ora. My name is Marcia Welch and I am a traveller from New Zealand. I have always dreamed of visiting and exploring Europe and have finally begun my overseas experience, or OE as we call it. I have always been drawn to the vibrancy and beauty that embodies Greece and I am excited to document and share my experiences. I am currently in Athens.
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