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I usually don’t take my pro cameras on vacation. Time off, for me, has always been about resting the eyes and brain, recharging the batteries and not having to experience the world through a viewfinder. Of course, I always take a point-and-shoot camera for the memories and yes, there are often moments when I wish I had my better cameras with me.
Over the years I’ve made very few exceptions, the most recent being an anniversary trip with Joanne to the the Greek Islands of Naxos and Santorini, with a short stop in Athens before returning.
The Cyclades are a photographer’s dream; clear blue-green waters of the Aegean Sea against dramatic landscapes and bright, colorful houses. Joanne had the task of choosing which islands to visit within a short time frame, but finally decided on two of the most picturesque and contrasting islands, Santorini on the rim of a volcanic caldera and one of the most beautiful natural settings I’ve ever seen and Naxos, with its terraced hills covered with olive and citrus groves, whitewashed villages and evidence of a fascinating Neolithic civilization.
The gallery has a sampling of images, many of which are the results of experiments with different raw processors and High Dynamic Range. HDR is a process involving several exposures of the same scene to maximize the tonal range. The intense daytime sun on white buildings posed issues with detail and some raw processors worked better than others. It’s always a learning experience.
Seeing the results made me glad I brought the cameras along. Even though capturing that magical Aegean light would never be like the actual experience, bringing back nice memories is the next best thing.