CATALONIAN VILLAGE

SOUTHERN FRANCE

IMAGE NUMBER 758 and 758a

The Catalonian independence movement, centred on Barcelona, has a passionate following among Catalan speakers, but possibly less than 40% of the population.  The movement extends into southern France, much to the chagrin of the French Government in Paris.  Along the French/Spanish border in Eastern France, Catalan flags show in most villages with little prospect of success.

TECHNICAL NOTES

image Number 758 (top)

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/40th of a second and at aperture f11. 80 mm Schneider Kreuznach lens with leaf shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.

Image Number 758a (below)

The image was taken with a hand-held Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/225th of a second and at aperture f7.1. 150 mm Schneider Kreuznach telephoto lens with leaf shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.

EMPORIO

SANTORINI, GREECE

Image Number 520

Emporio is a village in Santorini located 12 km from Fira on the foothills of Mount Prophet Elias. The village has a strong medieval character and most of the houses have been well-preserved. Half way up the village is a 15th century fortress which looks as though it will slide down the hill at any moment.  The houses within the fortress are evocative of Gaudi architecture.  Althouhj day tourists have not yet discovered this extraordinary place, wealthy Germans have purchased and renovated most of the houses within the castle.  When Atticus visited a group of architecture students were visiting on a field trip.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 3.5 seconds and aperture F11.   28mm Schneider Kreuznach wide angle lens with leaf shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

 

COBBLED STREET

PARIKIA, PAROS, GREECE

Image Number 453

Parikia is the capital and the main port of Paros island. It is one of the most typical Cycladic settlements as it is distinguished by its narrow cobbled paths, the old churches, the small shops and the houses in blue and white. Parikia is today one of the most popular and busiest spots on the island, as its cafeterias and restaurants along the waterfront attract many visitors. Parikia is also famous for its vivid nightlife, which makes it along with Naoussa village (on the northern side of the island) the two busiest tourist resorts of Paros.  Parikia has 4,500 permanent inhabitants.  Parikia has a strong traditional fishing fleet.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a hand held Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 100. Exposure of 1/250th second and aperture F3.2.   45mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

MONENVASSIA

PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

Image Number 364

Monemvasia is a fortress town located on a tiny island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100 metres above sea level, up to 300 m wide and 1 km long, the site of a powerful medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period.  The streets are narrow and fit only for pedestrian and donkey traffic. There are no cars on the island.  In recent years the town has seen a resurgence in importance with increasing numbers of tourists visiting the site and the region. The medieval buildings have been restored, and many of them converted to hotels.  Because of tourist numbers the streets become impassable during “the season”.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a hand-held Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/500th of a second and aperture F7.1.   45mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

MONEMVASSIA

PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

image Number 362

Monemvasia is a fortress town located on a tiny island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100 metres above sea level, up to 300 m wide and 1 km long, the site of a powerful medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period.  The streets are narrow and fit only for pedestrian and donkey traffic. There are no cars on the island.  In recent years the town has seen a resurgence in importance with increasing numbers of tourists visiting the site and the region. The medieval buildings have been restored, and many of them converted to hotels.  Because of tourist numbers the streets become impassable during “the season”.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/640th of a second and aperture F7.1.   45mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

VATHIA

MANI PENINSULA,  GREECE

Image Numbers 340 and 329

Vathia is a village in Laconia, Greece, on the Mani Peninsula. It is famous for its grand towers (pyrgoi). Vathia is situated in a hilly setting, and is linked by road north to Areopoli and Kalamata and south to Cape Matapan.   On the hilltops are abandoned homes resembling fortresses and built from local stone.  When Atticus first visited the area in the late 1970’s Vathia was a ghost town populated by a handful of widows who peeped from their windows at the approach of intruders.  It was inaccessible and forbidding. Now Vathia is a tourist attraction and modern replica towers have sprung up inside and around it.  Sad.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Image number 340 (upper)

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 100. Exposure of 1/274th of a second and aperture F7.1.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

Image Number 329 (lower)

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 100. Exposure of 1/200th of a second and aperture F7.1.   80mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

VATHIA

MANI PENINSULA, GREECE

Image Number 328

Vathia is a village in Laconia, Greece, on the Mani Peninsula. It is famous for its grand towers (pyrgoi). Vathia is situated in a hilly setting, and is linked by road north to Areopoli and Kalamata and south to Cape Matapan.   On the hilltops are abandoned homes resembling fortresses and built from local stone.  When Atticus first visited the area in the late 1970’s Vathia was a ghost town populated by a handful of widows who peeped from their windows at the approach of intruders.  It was inaccessible and forbidding. Now Vathia is a tourist attraction and modern replica towers have sprung up inside and around it.  Sad.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/200th of a second and aperture F4.5.   150mm Phase One telephoto lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

TOWER HOUSES

MANI PENINSULA, GREECE

Image Numbers 326 (upper) and 327 (Lower)

The characteristic tower houses of the Mani Peninsula, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave mostly against their will.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece.  So Atticus, along with everyone else, went there just the same. 

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/111th of a second and aperture F10.   150mm Phase One telephoto lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

AREOPOLI

MANI, PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

Image Number 321

Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece.  Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, and it is the capital of the Mani province.  Its characteristic tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave by their Athens-based countrymen.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece. 

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/15th of a second and aperture F22.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

AREOPOLI

MANI, PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

Image Number 320

Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece.  Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, and it is the capital of the Mani province.  Its characteristic tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave by their Athens-based countrymen.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece. 

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/34th of a second and aperture F22.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

AREOPOLI

MANI, PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

Image Number 319

Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece.  Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, and it is the capital of the Mani province.  Its characteristic tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave by their Athens-based countrymen.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece. 

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/90th of a second and aperture F22.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

TAVERNA

AREOPOLI, MANI, GREECE

Image Number 318

Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece.  Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, and it is the capital of the Mani province.  Its characteristic tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave by their Athens-based countrymen.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece. 

TECHNICAL DETAILS

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/50th of a second and aperture F12.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

FRUIT SHOP

AREOPOLI, MANI, GREECE

Image Numbers 316 (upper) and 317 (lower)

Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece.  Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, and it is the capital of the Mani province.  Its characteristic tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave by their Athens-based countrymen.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece. 

TECHNICAL DETAILS

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/50th of a second and aperture F12.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

 

 

 

AREOPOLI

MANI, PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

Image Number 315

Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece.  Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, and it is the capital of the Mani province.  Its characteristic tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave by their Athens-based countrymen.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece. 

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/50th of a second and aperture F12.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

 

VILLAGERS

AREOPOLI, MANI, GREECE

Image Number 314

Areopoli is a town on the Mani Peninsula, Laconia, Greece.  Areopoli is situated near the west coast of the Mani Peninsula, and it is the capital of the Mani province.  Its characteristic tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.  The disposition of the residents is also flinty.  Although not far from Athens, Mani has been remote for centuries and until recently its villages could be reached only by boat.  The residents are characteristically gruff, tough, resistant to strangers (both Greek and foreign) and fiercely independent.  However even they are forced to admit the tourists who are now bused into their enclave by their Athens-based countrymen.   The tourists, who expect to be welcomed throughout Greece, are shocked by the sullen Maniots.  However, the Mani Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular architecture and coastal scenery in Greece. 

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/60th of a second and aperture F12.   150 mm telephoto Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

VILLAGE SQUARE

KOSMAS, PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

Image Number 308

Kosmas is a mountain village in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. In 2001 its population was 591. Kosmas is situated in the southeastern part of the Parnon mountains, at about 1150 m elevation, on the road from Skala to Leonidio. Kosma has an idyllic village square centred on massive oak trees.  It also has a dark history - during WWII it suffered popular executions from the Germans in retribution for membership of the resistance by local villagers.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/10th of a second and aperture F11.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

VILLAGE SQUARE

KOSMAS, PELOPONNESUS, GREECE

Image Number 397

Kosmas is a mountain village in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. In 2001 its population was 591. Kosmas is situated in the southeastern part of the Parnon mountains, at about 1150 m elevation, on the road from Skala to Leonidio. Kosma has an idyllic village square centred on massive oak trees.  It also has a dark history - during WWII it suffered popular executions from the Germans in retribution for membership of the resistance by local villagers.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/6th of a second and aperture F11.   45 mm Phase One lens with focal plane shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

LEONIDIO

GREECE

Image Number 305

Leonidio, on the east coast of the Peloponnesus, is bound by two abrupt mountainsides enclosing the town from the north and south. The River Dafnon passes through the town, and its banks are linked with three bridges. The town is capital of the Tsakonia region, notable for its cultural and linguistic particularities, and the settlement itself offers striking and picturesque architecture.  Every August Leonidio hosts the "Tsakonian Eggplant Festival", attracting well-known chefs from across Europe and achieving growing popularity.  Apart from citrus, tomatoes and olives, the area's most famous and widely distributed product is the Tsakonian eggplant, characteristic in its sweet taste, and acknowledged and protected by the European Union.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mountedPhase One 645 Camera at ISO 200. Exposure of 1/180thof second at aperture F14.   80 mm Schneider Kreuznach lens with leaf shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.  

CONQUES

LOT VALLEY, FRANCE

Image Number 167

In an austere and wild landscape, at the confluence of the gorges cut by the Ouche and the Dourdou valley, nestles the UNESCO world heritage village of Conques that seems to be lost in time.  Conques is an important staging point on the Way of St James and is designated as a national treasure.  Few villages in France (or the world) match its medieval authenticity.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Contax 645 camera and a Zeiss 80mm lens.  The image was recorded on a Velvia 50 transparency and scanned for digital reproduction.   

FEDERATION OF HUNTING & FISHING

LE-PUY-EN-VELAY, FRANCE

Image Number 162

The Federation of Hunting and Fishing of the Upper Loire occupies a splendid nineteenth century building in Le Puy en Velay in Eastern France.  The building is a little dilapidated and evocative of gauloises, Clochemerle and all things French.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/10  second and aperture F8.  80 mm Schneider Kreuznach lens with leaf shutter.   The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.