From Tourist to Native: The Island Through the Eyes of a Cobber

For this last entry, our final project for the photography class was to present 30 images that are somehow connected and tell a story. We were told at the very beginning to start thinking about what this story would be and how we would portray it. Within these 30 images I have presented a story that I, myself, have experienced and would like to share with others. This idea that within the last month, I have truly become a native to the Santorini island and am able to portray this transformative journey through these images. The evolution from the "tourist" to the island "native" is one that just gradually happened. It happened through the days of going out and exploring the island, the rock foundations, the agricultural lifestyle, the boardwalk environment. The fact that I have been able to find a home among strangers, among a strange place with different customs and traditions is truly remarkable. To experience all that the island was offering up for me to experience, the vibrant colors, the diversity of food, the extravagant plant life. All of this was a part of the transformation for myself. These 30 images are broken up into 3 different sections: The Tourist, The Uncovering, The Native. Every 10 images the new experience or transformation occurs showing this motion through the tourist experiences of just vibrant colors, strange people, and the almost paradise feel of the island. Then it is the true Greek food, the natives outside of the tourist bubble, outside the boardwalk environment. The wildlife that is left on it's own to survive, that is forgotten. The natives that are not the fortunate that are looked over. It is here that we start to see the true Greek woman and Greek man in all their glory, which is completely different that tourist portrayals. And it is with this final step of understanding and revealing that the native comes to blossom. The sunrise as the opening stages of this transformation, truly opening our eyes to the fullness of life that the island has to offer, not just the ideal life. It shows the ruggedness and challenges the island has to offer. It shows the importance of the cultural traditions that are placed within the food and the importance of family. To understand that there is more to the island than the beach and sea, that the mountains, the country side are all part of the island and are as important as the beach itself. All of this evolves to the transformation from the tourist to the native, now an individual that truly knows the island inside and out. With all of it's good and it's bad. In the end, it is this process that has left me in want of returning to the island, in hopes of understanding more of the island and all that there is left to be discovered.

Theseus and Adriande: Modern Twist

Shutter: 30
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200 

Shutter: 30
Aperture: 8
ISO: 200

Shutter: 30
Aperture: 8
ISO: 200

Shutter: 1/2
Aperture: 4
ISO: 200

Shutter: 30
Aperture: 8
ISO: 200

Shutter: 8
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200 

Shutter: 10
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 30
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200 

Mr. Green Jeans

Shutter: 2000
Aperture: 7.1
ISO: 200

Shutter: 500
Aperture: 13
ISO: 200

Shutter: 2000
Aperture: 16
ISO: 200

Shutter: 60
Aperture: 9
ISO: 200
This shot was taken in a side alley where there were no people and there was a lot of light. I was attracted to this plant because of the bright green leaves that were so different from everything else I had shot for today's five photos. It was almost a spring time green, fresh and new. I was able to get this shot by getting up close to the branches and metering off the green area, aka the leaves. I had to bring the exposure to a close by choosing the Aperture last to determine the "correct" exposure for this shot. 

Shutter: 1250
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Front / Side / Back Light

Shutter: 800
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 8000
Aperture: 7.1
ISO: 200

Shutter: 160
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 160
Aperture: 8
ISO: 200

Shutter: 400
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

SAWA Dogs

Shutter: 160
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 400
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 400
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 400
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 400
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Portrait: Sydnee

Shutter: 4000
Aperture: 4
ISO: 200

Shutter: 4000
Aperture: 4.5
ISO: 200

Shutter: 4000
Aperture: 4.5
ISO: 200

Shutter: 4000
Aperture: 4.5
ISO: 200

Shutter: 1000
Aperture: 4.5
ISO: 200

The Decisive Moment

"No Rest for the Weary"
Shutter: 60
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

"Fly Like a Boss"
Shutter: 60
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

"Solidarity"
Shutter: 640
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

"Mom I Don't Want to go Shopping"
Shutter: 60
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

"The Fruits of Labor"
Shutter: 125
Aperture: 20
ISO: 200

"Just Like Grandpa"
Shutter: 5000
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

"Just For Kicks"
Shutter: 5000
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

"Strength in Small Things"
Shutter: 8000
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Portraiture

Shutter: 125
Aperture: 20
ISO: 200

Shutter: 320
Aperture: 16
ISO: 200

Shutter: 125
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 10
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Shutter: 10
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200

Street Panning and Capturing Motion

Shutter: 60
Aperture: 25
ISO: 200

Shutter: 60
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

Shutter: 60
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

Shutter: 60
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

Shutter: 60
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200

A Gentleman's Choice: Taste, Texture, Top Par

Shutter: 8
Aperture: 4.3
ISO: 2500

Shutter: 8
Aperture: 4.3
ISO: 1250

Shutter: 8
Aperture: 4.3
ISO: 1250

Shutter: 14
Aperture: 4.3
ISO: 800

Shutter: 11
Aperture: 4.3
ISO: 15

Shutter: 11
Aperture: 4.3
ISO: 15
(Option 1)

A Gentleman's Choice: Taste, Texture, Top Par. It is this type of environment and classical style that I tried to emphasize on within these series of photos. To grasp an understanding of not only the wine itself, but the lifestyle of those who drink this particular beverage. To promote a type of living standard for those who wish to become a part of this exclusive world, to grasp a high level of diversity and sophistication. It is through these photos that I show not only the wine aspect with how it is made and its presentation style, but also the types of individuals and luxury style that one might expect and desire from this type of beverage. This idea of a clean cut and acute precision within the whole environment, from the beginnings of the creating the wine all the way through the individuals participating in this type of wine culture. This specific type of environment that engages the almost puristic and superior atmosphere, engaging the individuals that interact with it to enhance this world. The image that I feel tells this all is the one seen above. Even though you do not get a sense of the luxurious atmosphere and seclusion of specific individuals, there is a sense of purity and almost pride within the image. The very beginning of the whole stage within making and creating the wine starts here. The process of de-stemming the grapes, separating the grapes, smashing them, churning them. All of these are steps to creating the one thing that this specific type of atmosphere revolves around, without it this world would not exist. To capture this beginning step within the world, one needs to see what it is that they want to express and show within the image to convey this. In order to do this I only took one shot, a very quick one at that, and was able to come out with a clear cut image that I immediately loved. All it took was a quick adjustment to the shutter speed to let in more light for the dimly lit room, and lower my ISO to 1/15 sec. to also allow more light to flow through the lens. This was essential for the proper amount of exposure to be used to create a correct image for the time and place where it was taken. I was very fortunate that the image turned out well as I was not able to actually see within the environment because of the dimly lit area within where I took the shot along with the bright sun as soon as I stepped outside. I feel that this is an establishing shot within my series that starts this narrative of high end class and luxury only seen for specific individuals, willing to live a certain lifestyle based on specific hobbies and interactions. Urging the viewer to continue through the series to see specifically what this particular lifestyle is and how to be a part of it.