The Greek Coastline: Beaches

The Greek Coastline: Beaches

Greece is widely known for its coastline and beaches. This coastline comes in all possible forms and colour combinations which make it unique and photographically challenging. There are castles or forests, rocks or sand combined with deep blue, turquoise or light blue sea. Every step you make you are in for a surprise and about when you thought you have seen them all the next turn will prove you wrong. The photos below do not show the best known beaches and coasts. We chose some which appealed to us at the time we saw them. This is an appetizer; a second part will soon follow.

Fakistra bay is a very picturesque place found in eastern Pelion, characterized by the steep slope of the cliffs that surround it.  It is dfficult to access but worthy. The two photos below show the whole bay and the entrance to it. The next two photos show Mylopotamos beach which is also found in eastern Pelion. The main characteristic of this beach is the rocks which form an arch joining the two adjacent beaches. The first shows the rocky arch and the second a full view of the beach.

Photos by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos

Shooting data:

1. Camera: Nikon D2x
Lens: AF Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8 fisheye
Sensitivity: ISO 640
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/1000 sec - f/13, Aperture priority, -0.7 EV compensation.
Flash: No flash
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized. 

2. Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Sigma 28mm f/1.8 Macro
Sensitivity: ISO 400
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/400 sec - f/13, Aperture priority.
Flash: No flash
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

3. Camera: Nikon D2x
Lens: AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR @ 80mm
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/250 sec - f/5, Manual mode
Flash: No flash
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

4. Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Sigma 15mm f/2.8 fisheye
Sensitivity: ISO 400
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/1600 sec - f/8, Aperture priority, -1.3 EV compensation
Flash: No flash
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

Related Photoalbums

 Pelion, The Home of the Centaurs

Monemvasia

Sometimes you really wish you could keep some feelings forever; I do believe that photography can be a great tool for this. When I climbed up on the top of the cliff of Monemvasia, at Peloponnese, Greece and came in front of this amazing view, I felt the blue getting into my heart. That is what I tried to save. I love these shots because, at least for me, it transforms the sea and the rocks to a personal feeling, saved forever.

Photos by Antonis Roussos

Shooting data:

1. Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: AF-S Nikkor 18-55/3.5-5.6 VR @ 28mm
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/200 sec - f/7.1, Manual mode
Flash: No flash
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

2. Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: AF-S Nikkor 18-55/3.5-5.6 VR @ 55mm
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/400 sec - f/10, Manual mode
Flash: No flash
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

Seychelles beach, Ikaria

The beach Seychelles is located at Ikaria island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island, though somewhat "hidden" from visitors.  To get to it one has to climb down through the watercourse of a torrent, the end of which is seen at this photo.

Photo by Nicholas Parchas

Camera: Nikon D80
Lens: AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR @ 18mm
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/160 sec - f/8, Manual mode
Flash: No flash
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized. 

Cephalonia

The first photo is taken at the town of Sami, located at the eastern part of the island of Cephalonia. The view of a single cypress tree struggling to survive on the beach attracted me. The mountains seen further away belong to the island of Ithaca, well known as the kingdom ruled by Ulysses. The second photo shows the town of Assos (Cephalonia island) overlooking a beautiful bay. The ancient castle which used to provide protection for the inhabitants of Assos in the older times is noticeable.

Photos by George J. Reclos

1. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: AF Sigma 28mm f/1.8
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/800 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: No flash
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

2. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: AF Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/1600 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: No flash
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

Related albums

Mount Aenos, Cephalonia, Greece

Lake Melissani, Cephalonia, Greece