Views from swimming pools on Santorini. I know – that is quite a demanding ask now isn’t it?
We work hard all year to enjoy our breaks, so there is nothing wrong with asking the question “Where are the best views from swimming pools on Santorini?”
Well this view from the pool at the Kasiamtis Suites is my favorite so far – what a view of the pool, the balcony and in the background a little bit of the caldera!
Why do I like this photo so much?
I did take a photograph from the balcony but something was missing. So I took a step back from the view from the pool to get a photo of the view of the pool if that makes sense) and that lovely burst of Santorini sunshine.
And I managed to get a bit of the view from the pool and the deckchairs – hopefully you get the idea from this photo.
And a band of orange as the sun begins to set on another wonderful day in Santorini.
How did I decide on this composition?
Simple. I wanted the pool, the area to the front of the pool, a bit of the background and of course that big bright burst of golden sunshine. And the reflection off the pool was something I had pre-planned.
That is the beauty of staying in such a photogenic hotel – just by being there you get used to the movement of the sun, the shadows, the little things that when added together can make a photo.
Well you do if you are like me. I am always looking for things to photograph. On a shoot like this many of the compositions come to me when I am walking around doing innocuous things like walking to breakfast (on the day we did not have breakfast in our rooms that is).
Being aware of your surroundings and constantly looking out for photos might annoy the family but for me is an occupational hazard I’m afraid!
Where was the photo taken?
This photo was taken at the swimming pool of the Kasimatis Suites in Imerovigli on the Greek Island of Santorini.
We were stopping at the Kasimais Suites, and had to walk past the pool and this view just to get to reception. Awful I know!
What time of day was the photo taken?
Late afternoon in April, just after 4.30pm. The sun has begun to drop, having traversed from the left to the right – yes this is the prefect photographic orientation.
I took this photo having returned from a long day consisting of sunrise on the caldera, a lovely breakfast in our room and a good investigation of the capital of Santorini, Fira. I did an early afternoon wander and got back in time to get this shot by the pool.
After this I have to confess to having a couple of beers and photographing the sunset from our room. Yes I was that tired!
As I have said before sunset can be a bit of an anti-social time of day, clashing with evening drinks.
What photography gear did I use to get the shot
- Canon 6D
- Canon 24-105mm F4 L Lens
- Handheld – no tripod required
- And probably a pair of sunglasses
- My loupe viewer
What camera settings did I use?
- Aperture – F22
- Shutter speeds – 1/800th second, 1/3200th second and 1/200th second
- ISO – 400
- Focal length – 24mm
- AV Mode
- Back button focus
- Auto bracketing
- Handhed
- Live view
A quick word on the camera settings. F22. Why use that aperture? Simple.
F22 on my Canon 24 -105mm lens gives me that lovely starburst effect. F22 is the minimum aperture, ie the aperture which lets the least light in, as the opening through the aperture blades is at its smallest.
Try shooting into the sun (with care so you don’t damage your eyes) and try all the apertures and see what you get with your gear.
Which leads me onto the next point. When I am shooting straight into the sun, I use the Live View function on my Canon 6D. Much safer. And even then I will have my sunglasses on.
Unless I am using my loupe viewer.
One interesting fact about the image.
Erm. I didn’t go in the pool? All I can remember is that the sun was blindingly bright and I was desperate to sit down and have a drink but did not want to miss a second of that spectacular day.
I was tired, thirsty and loving it!
One bit of irrelevant advice – if you want to make a living doing photography it is best that you absolutely love it as it is hard work.
Is there a behind the scenes video of this shoot?
No. I think people who take videos around swimming pools with people in the vicinity sunbathing are approaching creepy.
Swimming pool/ people = no video!
How did I process the image?
Very well thank you. To be honest once I have processed the first couple of images from a days shoot a lot of the processing is the same, or fairly similar.
I want the images to look like a coherent set of images after all, so the color treatments and other stuff need to compliment other images.
The difference is with the local adjustments, which are individual to each and every image I produce.
I am talking here about
- Dodging and burning
- HSL adjustments
- Radial filter
What could I have done to improve the image?
A higher viewpoint would have made the composition stronger. If I could have got my camera higher I would have been able to include more of the caldera view in the background.
Unfortunately I did not have my stepladders with me, nor my 5m painters pole, and I could not move back any further (from recollection).
Yes lets just say that I was constrained by the buildings around me. I will just have to go back to Kasimatis Suites and do a better job next time!
And what are my thoughts on this image?
I really like this image, I have captured a lovely flat swimming pool illuminated by the sun. I have managed to include a snippet of the view of the caldera, but more importantly the deckchairs on the edge of the balcony.
And I love the colors in the sky, that lovely bright blue transitioning into the orange of the setting sun.
The bright vibrant colours are an essential part of my travel photography work.
And there are no people in the image which is both good and bad.
All in all an image that I am happy to share on my website and write about.
Enough of me – what do you think of this image?
You have read what I have to say about this photo of the view of a swimming pool at Kasimatis Suites in Imerovigli – what do you think of the image, and do you have any questions for me?
One last thing
If you want to buy this image, or want to speak to me about future collaboration email me at sales@rickmcevoyphotography.co.uk.
Rick McEvoy ABIPP – Photographer, writer, blogger
