Greece Photo Tour
February 26 - March 5, 2028
Greece is the foundation of Western Civilization. Join Jim on this remarkable photo tour and take pictures of the places where it all began. The Ancient Greeks built amazing structures 2500 years ago that are still standing, still beautiful, and still photogenic. The Acropolis, the Oracle at Delphi, ancient theaters with brilliant acoustics... Wow!
In addition, you'll photograph the famous blue and white churches of Santorini and capture classic windmills at sunset, the 14th century monasteries of Meteora built in the most unlikely of places, as well as hundreds of breeding Dalmatian pelicans on Lake Kerkini with their super saturated red bills. Too many great pictures to take!
What you will learn on this photo tour:
-- Under what lighting conditions to use HDR
-- Shooting with HDR at twilight
-- How to use a wide angle lens with birds
-- How to use focus stacking with a telephoto
-- Why it's important to use daylight white balance at sunrise and sunset
-- Planning to correct parallax with a wide angle
-- Camera settings for birds in flight
ITINERARY
Day 1, Feb. 26, Saturday
Leave your home and arrive in Athens, Greece, on this day. Take a taxi or Uber to our hotel. Jim recommends arriving one day early, at your expense, to recover from jet lag and the long journey. We will meet in the lobby of the hotel at 6pm to discuss the upcoming tour and to enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Athens.
Day 2, Feb. 27, Sunday
We leave the hotel before breakfast to photograph sunrise on the Parthenon from Philoappos Hill. This vantage is the best unobstructed view of this 2500 year old temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Because this is February, the sunrise isn't early --- it's 7:24am. We then return to the hotel for breakfast.
In contrast to the ancient architecture that comprises much of this tour, we first visit the OAKA Olympic Stadium. The ultra modern design is ultra-graphic and a lot of fun to photograph, especially with a wide angle lens. There are great pictures everywhere. The Ancient Greeks would be totally amazed!
Next we visit the 19th century Zappeion Magaro, a remarkable building with perfect symmetry and design. We then photographic the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. This is a very stylized and unique ceremony that's great to photograph. In the late afternoon, we'll visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus in sunset lighting and then wait for twilight when it's illuminated beautifully. Overnight Athens.
Day 3, Feb. 128, Monday
This morning we visit the beautiful 19th century Cathedral Basilica of St. Dionysius the Arepagite. Jim will explain how to do vertical panoramas of the
incredible ceiling as well as discussing the strategy for shooting handheld in low light.
Next we visit the Ancient Agora, a marketplace established in the 6th century B.C. The best preserved Ancient Greek temple, the Temple of Hephaestus, a 5th century B.C. Doric structure, is here and it's stunning from any angle.
In the late afternoon, we drive about an hour from Athens to Sounion to shoot the incredible Temple of Poseidon. This stunning white marbled architectural wonder has been perched atop a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea for 25 centuries. Overnight Athens.
Day 4, Feb. 29, Tuesday
This morning we transfer to the airport for a short flight to the island of Santorini. We take a taxi to our hotel in the village of Oia, check in and have lunch, and then we will start exploring the island. Blue and white domed
churches, red and magenta bougainvillea flowers everywhere, azure seascapes, windmills, and white-washed homes with blue doors will keep you captivated. At sunset, we will shoot one of the iconic images of Greece: A village and 17th century windmill backlit by a sunset sky. Overnight Oia.
Day 5, March 1, Wednesday
We have the whole day to look for striking compositions in the narrow streets of Santorini. The village of Oia is 500 feet above sea level, and this gives us commanding views of the Mediterranean. Jim will show you some of his favorite shooting locations, and you will also have free time to explore on your own. Overnight Oia.
Day 6, March 2, Thursday
After breakfast we take a short flight to Thessaloniki, a vibrant city in the north of Greece. We pick up a van at the airport and drive about two hours to the Baptistry of St. Lydia where we photograph one of the most beautiful
interiors in Greece. This is a great opportunity to exaggerate perspective with a wide angle lens. From here we drive to Lake Kerkini where endangered Dalmatian pelicans pass through here on their migratory route. There is a year-round population of pelicans, but at this time of year their number increase significantly. We will charter a small boat to get super close to the birds -- prefer to use a wide angle even with the birds. We shoot in sunset lighting and then return to Thessaloniki and overnight.
Day 7, March 3, Friday
We leave the hotel before breakfast and drive a short distance to photograph the beauty of simplicity -- a wooden pier leading to a traditional and very photogenic red fishing hut. This is a good chance to practice long exposures to blur the water of the lagoon. We return to the hotel for breakfast, and then we head toward Meterora. We arrive at lunch, and after checking into our hotel and eating, we explore one of the most unique Christian religious centers in
the world. Constructed in the 14th century atop seemingly impossible rock formations are impregnable monasteries that defy imagination. Of the 24 historical monasteries built here, six of them are still functioning -- after 700 years -- as active religious communities for Eastern Orthodox monks and nuns. Overnight Meteora.
Day 8, Feb. 15, Tuesday
We have the entire day to explore Meteora and to look for great composition of the monasteries built into and on dramatic rock formations. We can drive to various lookouts, and in addition there are extensive walking trails that have been used by Christians for centuries. These pathways gives us different kinds of perspectives from which to shoot.
We will also go inside at least two of them. Their interiors are completely adorned with Eastern Orthodox frescoes and murals. Jim will explain how to shoot in low light, and he'll also discuss the ideal white balance to use. We'll take advantage of sunrise and sunset lighting for the best photographic opportunities. Jim will share with you his creative approach to making the best pictures possible. Overnight Meteora.
Day 9, Feb. 17, Thursday
This morning after breakfast we head south. Our first stop is the Stone Bridge and Palaiokarya Waterfall. It's actually a double waterfall framed by the arched bridge. Jim will help you with long exposures to blur the falling water.
We then proceed to Delphi where we find the famous Temple of Apollo constructed in 510 B.C. This was a religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god, Apollo, and it was home to the Oracle of Delphi and the priestess Pythia. She was famed throughout the ancient world for being able to divine the future. Before all major undertakings, she was consulted and her prophecies shaped the outcome of wars.
We will photograph the ruins of this once great shrine until sunset. Overnight Delphi.
Day 10, Feb. 18, Friday
After an early breakfast we head back to Athens. The driving time to the international airport is 3 hours. Please book your return ticket home after 12 noon.