#ancientcalm

A Golden Welcome At Lindos Citadel: Racing the Tourist Coaches

I'd already spent a good few hours on the cliffs at Lindos that morning, set up well before dawn, before arriving at Lindos Citadel above the village.

The entrance to the acropolis opened at 8am which was a little later than I'd have liked - I wanted good light and to avoid the coaches of tourists. The light and heat increased by what seemed every minute, but the walk up "Cardiac Hill" was beautiful. Local ladies were setting up their lace stalls under the shade of trees lining the pathway.

I reached the top and took more images while waiting for the ticket office to open. The views over the cool blue Mediterranean and distant mountains hypnotized me with the clarity of light and color contrast.

I dragged myself away and paid my entrance fee, imagining the horde of coaches parking up below!

Unfortunately I can't pass up a wonderful image, and before getting anywhere near the path up to the acropolis, I found myself greeted by a warm shaft of light upon my face. The light cut a golden path between the trees, picking up the fine textures of the rustic citadel walls, broken columns, and dry dusty floor beneath.

I don't prefer to work quickly - I like to savor the moment. Fortunately though, 37 years of being a photographer means I can work at quite a pace if needed. I suppose I don't notice my camera too much and composition comes quite naturally, which means I can almost be in the zone and shoot on autopilot.

An hour later I'd captured all the images I planned (tourist free) and headed down to the village for fresh orange juice and a well-deserved morning coffee, greeted by several coaches who'd just arrived.

Casting A Line Mandraki Harbour: When Seconds Matter

Walking around Mandraki harbour in Rhodes one August morning, I found myself surrounded by unusual cloud cover. Warm air contrasted with cool, muted light as several fishermen cast their lines into Mediterranean waters.

I was initially drawn to the compositional balance—the gentle harbour curve, silhouetted figures, historic backdrop. But what made me quickly reach for my tripod was the first hint of crimson peeking between clouds at the horizon.

These moments require both recognition and readiness. Within seconds, I was set up to capture what I knew would be brief—that instant when rising sun broke through a narrow gap in clouds, bathing the scene in dramatic light.

The resulting image is what I'm always searching for: the interplay between cool morning tones and warm dawn glow, human presence in an historic place, and that quiet quality found only in these early, unhurried hours.

This is why I rise before dawn and return to these places again and again. Each morning offers new possibilities, new light, new stories.