The Kythera series is slowly (and painfully) coming to an end. The same day I was exploring the bridge of Katouni, I set to discover a way to reach an old english school I had read about, the school of Milapidea. After locating it from the road, I attempted to approach it through some very narrow streets where I could hardly drive my rental car. Until luckily I met an old man, who told me there was no road leading there (even though the school is mentioned as a very important monument of the island!) And that I would have to continue on foot. However, the road to the school was guarded by some not so friendly doggies who started to bark at me from a distance, so I decided to turn back feeling very disappointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wrong turn led me in front of an abandoned windmill. It was at the end of a row of houses and it was standing there all alone and empty, so I stepped out of the car to take a look. Without much thought I decided to take some pictures. Where would I ever find a windmill all to myself?

I confess it was not easy, seeing as I had to set the camera at the mill’s entrance and then go up and down many, many times on the almost collapsed stairs, so I could get a nice frame. All this while I was barefoot and hoping no scorpions or snakes were around! However, it is a unique experience to be able to sit on top of a windmill and to feel absolute calmness and the cooling breeze. After I managed to get some good shots, I took some additional ones of the mill’s sides so I could fill my square frame and I left having completely forgotten the school I didn’t get to photograph.

 

 

 

The last few weeks have been really exhausting for me. I had to move into a new house, which means a lot of running around, packing, unpacking, carrying, cleaning, organizing and anything else that goes with settling into a new home. At last I think we have tied up our loose ends and we can finally start enjoying our new home. That includes me having some time for photography! I haven’t been out to shoot for ages and I miss it so much! Right now I am going to give priority to all my summer pictures that patiently await editing, while planning my next photoshoots. I still haven’t explored my new neighboorhood, but I am really happy that I have an endless view from my balcony which means I can shoot clouds and birds from the comfort of my own home! That’s a big deal!

This picture is another one taken in Kythera while I was there for my exhibition with the Greek Young Photographers. I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I cherished my time there, because it felt as if I had the whole island to myself. This feeling was particularly strong when I visited the old watermills. It is a small canyon, submerged in beautiful nature, where dozens of watermills used to be in the old days. There is a hiking path you can follow, that takes you along this amazing scenery. Even though I wasn’t prepared for a hike (I was wearing a dress and sandals!), I started walking along the path, drawn by the beauty and calm of the surroundings. I ended up in this spot where the stream created small waterfalls that poured into calm little ponds. There was not a single sound. Only the water endlessly flowing.

I wanted to capture the water flow, so I had to use a long exposure time. That however meant that I had to be completely still during the exposure, which can prove to be rather hard when you are standing in ice cold water practically barefoot. After a couple of test shots and some breath holding, I managed to get the result I wanted. In post, I expanded my frame using an extra shot I had taken and I tweaked the colors so i could give the image a more nostalgic feel. What inspired me most about this place was the contrast between its very busy past, being a place full of life and activities with all those watermills that were vital to the island, and its very quiet present, that I was lucky enough to experience. A place that’s been forgotten by people, but that is still alive in its own way.

After taking the picture I decided not to go any further, because not only did I not have the proper clothes and shoes on for the hike, but I also had no cell reception, nobody knew where I was and there was not a single soul around, so I got scared that if anything were to happen to me, no one would know where to find me! That thought was really frightening, so I headed back with a heavy heart, knowing I was missing out on the great beauty that lied ahead. I think this was my favorite spot in the whole island and if  I ever manage to visit it again, the watermills are the first place I’m going back to, with proper shoes and some company however!

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I’m back from Kythera, where I participated in the Young Photograhers Exhibition, a part of the Kythera Photographic Encounters. The event lasted three days and it included a number of exhibitions and also a photography convention. I have to admit my visit there did not live up to my expectations for a number of reasons, but it was a valueable experience nonetheless and I got to explore the island and make a few new pictures.

The following picture was taken near a waterfall that is called “Neraida”, which actually means fairy, or “Fonissa”, which means murderess. I am not quite sure about the origin of those names, but the place was really beautiful and immersed in nature. When I got there, there was no one else around except one guy sitting in a bench and drinking a beer by the waterfall. I snapped a couple of pictures there and then I decided to further explore the area. I walked around and I discovered some stairs leading up to the road. There were a few abandoded buildings there and as I was wandering on my own, it felt as is the place was haunted. I stopped and set up my tripod and then I started my usual weirdness. I believe this image fully demonstrates the feeling I got while I was there.

I have many pictures that await editing and I’ll do my best to edit them as soon as I can, although I am currently searching for a new home to move into, which is proving to be challenging. Don’t forget to like my facebook page, to receive all my updates!