An AP photographer uses the clouds to give his shot depth and clarity

Associated Press

11-04-2025

AMORGOS, Greece (AP) — Petros Giannakouris is an award-winning Greek photojournalist. He is a staff photographer with The Associated Press, based in Athens since 2003.
During more than two decades of working with the AP, he has covered major global events including wars in Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan and the middle east; earthquakes, floods and wildfires; as well as the refugee and financial crises in Greece. He has also covered four Summer Olympic Games.
Here is what he had to say about this extraordinary photo.
Why this photo?
This photograph is part of a photo essay I created on the Greek island of Amorgos. It's a visual story about Father Spyridon, the monk depicted in the image, who has been living in the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa for the past 54 years.
I stayed at the monastery for about a week, documenting his life with respect and discretion. From the very beginning, I was struck by the beauty of the balcony overlooking the Aegean Sea — a place where the eye can travel endlessly. I knew this scene would be one of the key images of the project.
How I made this photo
By my second day at the monastery, I noticed that around 8:30 in the morning — after the morning prayer — Father Spyridon would step out of his cell and walk along the monastery's balcony. So, every morning, I tried to be ready for that moment.
The challenge was always the light. The sun had already risen, and often the background would be blown out, losing depth. But on this particular day, the clouds helped a lot. They softened and balanced the light, giving the image depth and clarity.
A key element is also the movement in his cassock, caught by the wind — a small detail that adds life and a sense of motion to the frame.
Why this photo works
It's a photo with beautiful light, multiple layers, and a strong sense of depth - all elements that enhance a photograph and keep the viewer engaged. At the same time, it allows the viewer to 'read' the space: to clearly see the monastery, its unique architecture and the location where it has stood for over a thousand years, carved into the cliff. And above all, the image has life — Father Spyridon walking through the courtyard brings movement, and a human presence.