When I was thinking about what kind of mood I wanted to capture in Greece, I had no idea. All I knew was that I wanted to get some beautiful shots that encapsulated the country’s rich history and beauty, as well as a different side to Greece that’s not always seen. Throughout my photography, there’s a subtle theme of isolation and loneliness, solemnness and a stark vastness of natural beauty that’s always incorporated, but having never been to Greece before, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to find moments like that. However, funnily enough, I couldn’t have been more wrong because as I go through these photos, I’m immediately drawn to the country’s rich history, and natural beauty beyond compare, with subtle hints of solemn loneliness.
From the grand marble structures, once built to celebrate deities but now standing ransacked and aged, to the perfectly blue sea with flecks of gorgeous green filled with happy-go-lucky beachgoers, you get the best of both worlds with Greece. You get the rustic busy feel of the city as well as the lazy rustic feel of the beach. Staying in Piraeus gave me a wider perspective of the Aegean wonderland as you’re quite literally a stone’s throw from the historical capital and a ferry ride away from idyllic islands. I think these two sides of Greece are constantly juxtaposed against each other, and I wanted to show these completely different sides of the country. Even without the islands, this juxtaposition is seen within the mainland, thanks to places like Vouliagmeni, Glyfada and Sounio (I didn’t get a chance to visit, but I have seen photos).
Another way I wanted to capture a different side of Greece was with colour. When you think of Greece, you typically think of piercing blues and crisp whites, and although this colour combination naturally flourishes across the land (albeit very muted in real life compared to photos and vlogs), there’s another colour that doesn’t get nearly as much coverage: sand. This neutral hue is seen everywhere, from the aged pillars of the acropolis to the pebbly beaches and even the beloved pistachio haven, Aegina.
When you look at these photos, I hope you see a new side of Greece, one that I saw during my holiday. And that you get a true feel for its history that permeates throughout the modern day, its breathtaking views and that glimmer of something solemn and stark.