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

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

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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Japan's Princess Kako addresses Brazil's Congress, meets with Lula in presidential palace
Japan's Princess Kako addresses Brazil's Congress, meets with Lula in presidential palace

Hamilton Spectator

time7 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Japan's Princess Kako addresses Brazil's Congress, meets with Lula in presidential palace

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Japan's Princess Kako of Akishino, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, was welcomed on Wednesday by Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a private ceremony on the latest leg of her 11-day tour of the South American nation. The younger daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko also addressed Congress and thanked Brazilians for hosting Japanese immigrants for more than a century. Her trip, which started on June 5, marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 'The efforts of the Japanese who came, and the Brazilians who went to Japan, are deepening our bilateral relationship of friendship,' Kako told Brazilian lawmakers. 'I hope that the relationship between the two countries is a long lasting one.' Congress speaker Hugo Motta told the princess he hopes Brazil's ethanol 'can help Japan reduce its dependency on fossil fuels.' Brazil has the largest population of people of Japanese descent in the world, estimated at about 2.7 million. About half of those live in Sao Paulo state, official figures show, where the princess last week received the state's highest honor from Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas. Emperor Naruhito has no male children, which makes his brother Akishino, Princess Kako's father, the first successor in line. Japan's tradition does not allow women to take the throne. Princess Kako will arrive in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, where she will visit the Christ the Redeemer statue and a museum of Japanese immigration. The last part of her trip will take place in the city of Foz do Iguacu, where the world famous Iguacu falls are located. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

The ‘strawberry moon' will be visible Wednesday night. Here's how to see it.
The ‘strawberry moon' will be visible Wednesday night. Here's how to see it.

Boston Globe

time10 hours ago

  • Boston Globe

The ‘strawberry moon' will be visible Wednesday night. Here's how to see it.

Advertisement The next time the strawberry moon's orbit around Earth will be this close to the horizon won't be until 2043, according to Goss. An aircraft passes in front of the full moon, known as the 'strawberry moon' in Chongqing, southwest China on June 11, 2025. HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images The strawberry moon's northeast appearance may have been spoiled for some stargazers on Tuesday night, which was cloudy. But on Wednesday, night sky fanatics could have better luck, said Boston Globe meteorologist Ken Mahan. 'Most of New England can expect to see mostly clear skies from a pocket of high pressure most of Wednesday evening to catch a glimpse,' he said. The strawberry full moon rises behind the ancient marble temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, about 70 Km (45 miles) south of Athens, on Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Petros Giannakouris/Associated Press When can I see the strawberry moon? As observed from the northeast US, the strawberry full moon can be seen on Wednesday low in the southeast sky starting at around 10:30 p.m., Throughout Wednesday night and into the early morning of Thursday, the strawberry moon will traverse the southern sky, and then dip below the southwest horizon, when viewed from Boston. Advertisement The strawberry moon will reach the peak of its arc across the sky at roughly 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, directly above the southern horizon, according to Sky & Telescope's Peak fullness happened overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Viewing conditions should be mostly clear, but Canadian wildfire smoke could 'play spoiler' for residents living closer to the border in Vermont and New Hampshire, according to Mahan. A full moon, known as 'Strawberry Moon' rises over Bondi Beach in Sydney on June 11, 2025. SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images A strawberry Moon rises behind the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Emrah Gurel/Associated Press Why is June's full moon red or pink colored? The strawberry moon can appear reddish or rosy because the low path of the moon in the night sky means light bouncing off its surface has to travel farther through Earth's atmosphere, giving it a 'pinkish hue,' Canadian wildfire smoke in the air 'will take a shade of pink away from the moon' for some viewers, Mahan said. 'The haze won't completely spoil the sight as smoke will rise and thin farther into the night as the surface cools, but you might notice a slight dullness in the color,' he said. Claire Thornton can be reached at

Regional carrier Silver Airways says it's shutting down operations
Regional carrier Silver Airways says it's shutting down operations

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Regional carrier Silver Airways says it's shutting down operations

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) — Regional carrier Silver Airways announced Wednesday it is shutting down operations after a failed attempt at restructuring through bankruptcy, leaving some passengers stranded at airports in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. 'Please do not go to the airport,' the Hollywood, Florida-based company posted on its website. The statement said Silver had sold its assets through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding to a holding company that 'unfortunately has determined to not continue Silver's flight operations" that served five Florida cities and 11 island destinations. Passengers can seek refunds through their credit card issuer or travel agency, the Silver statement said. Silver's fleet had been reduced to just eight ATR turboprop planes and its workforce cut from 608 to 348 pilots, flight attendants and ground workers, according to the company. An email to employees from Silver's CEO said most of those jobs will be eliminated. Silver Airways began operations in 2011 and once served 28 destinations. A subsidiary based in Puerto Rico, Seaborne Airlines, will continue to operate in the Caribbean.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store