Never surrender!, a photo from Lasithi, Crete

Photographer's Note

About 40 km Northwest of my hometown, Ierapetra, passing through a village called Kato Symi and then taking a dificult dirtroad (4X4 vehicle suggested) you can find a beautiful, totally unknown and undiscovered plateau called Omalos (no relationship with a plateau with the same name in Hania Prefecture). The only inhabitants of that remote and strange place are two shepperds (two brothers, who have chosen to live far from the "civilization".

I had heard a lot about its unique beauty, so I decided to take advantage of my few days of vacation and visit it accompanied by a good friend, Manolis Malliotakis (the man on the left in my Raki distillers photo. I saw a very unusual landscape, a very "wild" one, even though, wild landscapes are pretty common in Crete. The cold was unbearable and the strong wind made the situation even worse. I lost sense of my fingers after a few minutes and the battery in my camera lost very quickly most of its power. Then I saw this beautiful tree that appeared to me like a sign of courage. Struggling to stand still, resisting to the snow carried away by the fierce wind, but most important standing the test of time.

Time (in Greek χρόνος- Chronos) is related with Cronos-Saturn, a mythological god, father of Zeus, who had the bad habit to eat his children, exactly as time does. To avoid his destiny (to be eaten by his father), Zeus found refuge in a cave, in another plateau, much bigger than Omalos and much more famous, the Lassithi plateau, not very far from this one.

Now that this year is reaching to an end, and a new one is knocking on our door, I hope that you'll see the same message of courage in this lonely tree.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY!

Silvio1953, bach37, pilpel-adom, pcostas, quillo, GLEM, Emiel_Skyfreak, delic, syd1946, delkoo, brevbrev14, bostankorkulugu, gabrielpat, Cormac, Xalkida, vinicio, Wanda1, miuky, sanalytis, sergio1, elifpetan, ewasting, vbl, balatrek, chrisnet, Vato_Law, Angelillo, Henryk_Bilor, bakes888, MiguelP, cunejo200, aimiliospet, alejandroguzman, sabyasachi1212, lucero, daddo, teutza, thierry37, abulafia, ilghiz, tzopitoula, enedimd, clio, Dashab, williewhistler heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (221493) 2006-12-28 9:19

Hi Hercules lovely winter composition with the great tree, beautiful B&W photo, very well done, happy new year to you! Ciao Silvio

RADEEH (2802) 2006-12-28 9:21

Hi Hercules
We feel the cold and the wind.
Very powerful composition of this place.
Looks surreal and creepy.
Thanks for the detailed note and the photo.
With Regards
Radeeh

Lix (0) 2006-12-28 9:22

Hi Hercules
good shot, the effect og the fog is very nice
well done

Alessandro

Zepi (22848) 2006-12-28 9:26

Hello Hercules,
J’aime bien les paysage en noir et blanc quand c’est bien fait !
Et ici, c’est bien fait !
L’apport du grand angle et de ce paysage apocalyptique apporte beaucoup !
Bravo
Tous mes vœux pour 2007
Amicalement
Sébastien

emilbo (22616) 2006-12-28 9:33

Bonjour Hercules,
Magnifique photo et excellente composition. Il est super cet arbre courbé par le vent. Bonne idée de publier en nour et blanc, les nuages et la poudrerie ajoutent à la photo. Très intéressante note.
Félicitations!... et Bonne Année 2007,
Emilius

pcostas (321) 2006-12-28 9:35

Very artistic and powerful foto !
i can almost feel the wind blowing away !!
Thanks for sharing Hercules

sacavem (18620) 2006-12-28 9:35

Olá Hercules,
beautiful B&W photo,good composition and shot.
well done.
happy new year to you!

filipe rocha (PORTUGAL)

pilpel-adom (3018) 2006-12-28 9:37

Hey Hercules!
I am almost a year and a half here in TE, and this is my first time seeing your splendid work! Glad to find your gallery!
Very well implemented, with good composition of the tree - use of exposure control is very good! The blowing wind adds a lot of drama to this already dramatic shot.
Well done!
Chen

quillo (11858) 2006-12-28 9:53

-

No tengo palabras amigo Hercules, simplemente gracias y Feliz año 2007.

Un abrazo.

-

aral (1195) 2006-12-28 10:06

Hi Hercules

Great capture, BW seems to be the right choice. Are the clouds on the right side overexposed, or is this just a "jpeg" posterization?

I also like other photos in your gallery.

GLEM (3004) 2006-12-28 10:12

bonjour Hercules,
superbe image de fin du monde !
le vent est très bien matérialisé avec cette poussière et cet arbre penché. Le n&b est excellent.

tfs

nursez (1903) 2006-12-28 10:12

Hi Hercules,
I feel cold and lost when I look at this photo,very beautiful,thanks.

AthaPan (0) 2006-12-28 10:13

Irakli jeia sou!

Se epiase ki esena i "xorafofotografisi"?
Teleia stijmi file mou, i omixli kai i aspromavri epiliji tis dinei mia alli aisthisi.

Kali xronia filaraki
Sakis

kurekpit (401) 2006-12-28 10:23

Hi Hercules
Very nice picture,good atmosphere and composition,well captured
Regards and TFS

* Piotr *

coco (30439) 2006-12-28 10:23

Kalispera Hercules.

La foto es preciosa. Como también la nota.
Escoger un lugar como éste como aquel donde vas a vivir y trabajar ha de ser una elección que cara a los ojos de nosotros, acostumbrados al mundo urbano, se nos hace difícil.
Pero no solo es posible elegirlo, sino también "sobrevivir" a ello.

Un aplauso para los pastores, para la foto... y también para el fotográfo..
Ah, y feliz año nuevo.

Emiel_Skyfreak (3002) 2006-12-28 10:40

Hi Herculues,

Nice black and white photo. I like the tree, and the myst or sand over the ground. The overhanging tree is nice, placed at a good place in the composition. I also like the hills in the background, and those few stones in the FG.
Well done Hercules.
Have a good 2007.

mlopes (494) 2006-12-28 11:00

Superb composition, i just can't understand why so many noise in the sky, what ISO did you used here? It's really a petty because the rest is gorgeous.
Mario

delic (6735) 2006-12-28 11:16

Hi Hercules, Thanks for sharing this superb photograph, and the very insightful note. I am intrigued with Omalos and may consider an excursion at some point. Best wishes for the new year! Hakan

westernisles (740) 2006-12-28 11:32

Hi,
very good shot.
Amazing atmosphere.
Well done.
Christian

drago (4832) 2006-12-28 12:24

Ηρα χρόνια πολλά!Κια εσύ και ο Θωμάς το ρίξατε στο Β&W λίγο πριν αλλάξει ο χρόνος,μελαγχολική αίσθηση και διάθεση..Υπέροχη σύνθεση πάντως,τα σύννεφα δίνουν μια απόκοσμη αίσθηση!Και το B&W ταιριάζει απόλυτα.καλή Χρονιά να χουμε!
Παναγιώτης

JohnTurton (781) 2006-12-28 12:56

Beautiful B&W photo.

The sky is fantastic and the tree in the foreground really catches my eye.

John

tjanze (5674) 2006-12-28 13:40

Hi Hercules!
Wow! Amazing moment.Great composition,light,angle of view.Wind works fantastic on photo.
Regards!

syd1946 (1167) 2006-12-28 13:41

Γεια σου Ηρακλή και Χρονια Πολλα,
Η φωτογραφια εκπληκτικη σαν εικονα αλλα ακομη φοβερη ειναι η κινηση που εχει μεσα της,η κινηση των στοιχειων της φυσης!Μπραβο φιλε μου,ευχομαι οτι καλυτερο για νεα χρονια.Υγεια και δημιουργια!

Θωμας

vonp (2235) 2006-12-28 13:46

Kalimera Hercules,
Great shot!
The B&W make this picture so drammatic... I like it.
Perfect the composition.
Cronia Polla
Paolo

delkoo (68) 2006-12-28 13:54

hi hercules
i must admit that this one is quite good indeed,
Very interesting, you reach a high level with this one.
I wanted to wish you a New Year full of nice meetings and experiences along your journeys

didier

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2006-12-28 14:59

a masterpiece from you -again- at the end of the year irakli, my friend... this place looks out of this world...great job...
all the best for you in 2007...
take care
korkut

gabrielpat (7163) 2006-12-28 15:40

a kind of perfect black and white.

vincz (19113) 2006-12-28 17:09

Incredible shot with the wind, the snow, the tree and the wide angle givng such a dramatic dimension. very beutiful, very evocative. Great work.

Happy new year!

Cormac (26565) 2006-12-28 17:31

Fantastic shot! I really like the effect of the snow blown up, which gives a ghostly and ephemeral feel. The tree makes a great subject in this situation, and the black & white treatment works very well too. Beautiful!

Xalkida (11744) 2006-12-28 18:12

Καλησπέρα Ηρακλή και χρόνια πολλά!

Πραγματικά απίστευτο τοπίο, θυμίζει την έρημο της Αριζόνας ή κάτι ανάλογο! Ευφυέστατη η παραλλαγή σε σέπια, ταιριάζει απόλυτα. Μπράβο.

vinicio (23423) 2006-12-28 18:17

Excellent image indeed, the atmosphere and nature are wonderful, compliments Hercules, this is a great hot, indeed.
Ciao
Vinicio

Wanda1 (15142) 2006-12-28 23:27

Hi Hercules,
A great choice for black and white for this shot. The off centre composition of the tree works really well and I love the mood of the shot. Lovely light too.
Best wishes for the New Year!
Regards
Wanda

brevbrev14 (140) 2006-12-29 3:51

Hi Hercules!
very good image full of atmosphere!
great composition and conversion!
i like a lot this colour tone!
very good work!
ciao!
valeria

miuky (3335) 2006-12-29 4:11

a very very very well captured picture...
great, exellent BW, an amazing fod, shadows and lights...
regards, m.

sanalytis (1634) 2006-12-29 4:15

Jeia sou Irakli,

Great photograph, really strong composition. Use of B&W works very well.

Xronia Polla.

Spiros

Angshu (56760) 2006-12-29 4:19

Hello Hercules
Beauty in bleakness...courage in times of difficulties..I feel your picture communicates this very well. I can feel the wind & the chill. The tree is well positioned in the frame & your use of cool filter(I presume) adds to the atmosphere. Excellent my friend
Wishing you the very best for the coming year
Regards
Angshu

sergio1 (12152) 2006-12-29 5:43

Hola Herculs

Pero bueno que pedazo de foto amigo mio. Realmente es bellisima y no lo digo por cumplir. Es un tiro super bueno.

PS: Recuerdas el comentario de la camara que hice hace un tiempo??? Pues bien mi mujer me regalo para navidad una EOS400D en breve podrás ver trabajos con ella.

Te deseo un Feliz Año 2007 de todo corazón.

Sergio

sebcz (2345) 2006-12-29 8:36

Hi Hercules!
A rocking picture! How did you find such place? The blizzardy snow is fantastic. It's not completely B/W, is it? Or my eyes betray me, I can se some blue at the right.
Superb.
Seb

Graal (103040) 2006-12-29 9:07

Hi Hercules,
great photo, interesting view and fine composition. Good captured a place and moment. Interesting note. Well done.
Happy New Year 2007!
Aleksander

elifpetan (1204) 2006-12-29 12:41

Hello Hercules,
Happy new year to you and your family! :)
I like this composition with the strange tree a lot.
Best regards,
Elif

vbl (1421) 2006-12-29 17:54

Hola Hercules:
bonita foto, el B&W en esta foto me encanta. La composicion sencilla la hace mas cautivadora
Feliz año 2007!
saludos vanessa

evanrizo (462) 2006-12-30 10:58

Γειά σου Ηρακλή, πολύ ωραία και εντυπωσιακή ατμοσφαιρική φωτογραφία.
Καλή χρονιά και με πολλές καλές φωτγραφίες.

balatrek (7455) 2006-12-30 11:46

Hola Hercules,

Impresionante imagen amigo, has captado un ambiente diferente y muy interesante, el blanco y negro hacen bien su trabajo, me gusta la composición y los tonos dramáticos de la escena, sin duda un gran trabajo.

Saludos y Feliz Año, espero que disfrutes mucho junto a los tuyos, un abrazo.

José

chrisnet (23062) 2006-12-30 12:01

Hello Hercules,
Very good composition with a great dramatic atmosphere, the tree is very impressive with the fog, the black and white is appropried. Well done!
Have a happy new year!
Christian

Elaine_Blath (8471) 2006-12-30 12:13

Hi Hercules,

wow, what a shot! Goes immediately among my favourites, absolutely perfect! The harsh conditions can be almost felt from this, wow!

Take care and all the best for 2007! Ivana

vanpeltimaging (16) 2006-12-30 12:17

Oh, I like this one. One thing I think I woulld changed though is to have the wind coming towards the camera for a more dramatic feel, or photograph the tree from the side to emphasize it's 'steadfastness'. Good job also using the polarizer to bring out the sky too though!

anesugur (18789) 2006-12-30 13:03

Hi Hercules,
Very beautiful B&W photo.
Dramatic atmosphere and good composition.
Happy New Year to you and your family. Uğur

Fis2 (170669) 2006-12-30 14:52

Witaj Hercules!
Very interesting photo. Curious composition and frame. The black and white increase emotion. Artistic shot! Congratulations!
Wszystkiego najlepszego w Nowym 2007 Roku dla Ciebie i twojej rodziny!
Krzysztof

Vato_Law (12732) 2006-12-30 18:46

Hello Hercules,
It's nice to be back and find such beautiful photos! This winter composition is absolutely lovely, with the lonely tree surrounded by the the beauty of the snow and this cold atmosphere. I wonder how many degrees there was at the time you took this photo, brrrr!!!
I wish you a happy new year!
Cheers.
Paulo

jafadabret (56501) 2006-12-31 5:59

Un paysage d'une grande beauté avec cet arbre torturé dans un paysage de brume, on se croirait dans la tourmente.
Bonne année !
Jacques

xavshot (69835) 2006-12-31 8:34

Bonjour Hercules
quelle ambiance ! le cadrage et les contrastes donnent cet excellent résultat. C'est du très beau travail.
Bravo
Xavier

rhizomes (15343) 2006-12-31 11:01

Hi Hercules,
Very nice picture. Good choice of b/w. I like the misty atmosphere and the shape of this tree...
Impressive. Best wishes for 2007 !
Christophe

siolaw (38294) 2006-12-31 11:02

Iassou Iraklis
A strong athmosphere coming from that picture.. Good contrast and B&W conversion increasing the desolation feeling...
Happy 2007
Laurent

ben4321 (9875) 2006-12-31 12:10

This is such a strong image Hercules; the bent tree that seems to be struggling against the elements, communicates a feeling of stubborn optimism and defiance. Your title is fitting.
The strong light, well balanced composition, and use of black and white, all add up to a powerful, and rather moving image. Who'd have thought a tree (and a photographer) could do that!
Have a great New Year.

Cheers,
Ben

Angelillo (9374) 2006-12-31 13:44

Hola Hercules,

Me gusta mucho siempre la fuerza con que los árboles se agarran a la vida y luchan por sobrevivir, su capacidad de adaptación, su resistencia. Esta foto es épica, y expresa muy bien todo eso. Es realmente fantástica. Un saludo, y un gran deseo de que tengas un año muy feliz.

Angel.

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2006-12-31 14:50

Hi Hercules
Amazing capture. The lonely tree fighting against the wind. Great light and mood.
Happy New Year

CRATEOS (7278) 2007-01-01 1:53

Magiko file ....eilikrina magiko to topio..dimioyrgia poy den ypolipete toy teleioy....OI eyxes moy polles ke dinates ...!!!!!!!Nikiforos

leo61 (0) 2007-01-01 3:23

HAPPY NEW YEAR,Hercules!
You finished your 2006 TE year with a masterpiece.
Good composition with this strange lonely tree and well done in B&W.
The wind and fog makes a mystic atmosphere.
My best wishes for 2007,
regards,LEO

bakes888 (18499) 2007-01-01 4:26

Compliments of the season Hercules. Well captured photo, especially under the circumstances. Well composed and processed. All the best for the year ahead.
Cheers, Paul.

MiguelP (14470) 2007-01-01 6:04

Me encanta el efecto del viento en esta foto Hercules. Da una idea de desierto, de aislamiento, de poesía que me gusta mucho. Después las ramas retorcidas del árbol añaden un dramatismo a la foto que me gusta mucho.
Espero que durante 2007 sigamos disfrutando juntos de este sinfin de imágenes que es TE. Feliz año!
Miguel

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-01-01 9:40

Hello Hercules,
This is absolutely beautiful. Wise choice of converting the image in b&w. Lovely atmosphere and texture. Bravo! A Happy New Year. Danilo

aimiliospet (2355) 2007-01-02 3:15

Hrakli Geia Sou,

Katapliktiki !!!
Yperoxi Synthesi !!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU (again)

Na eisai kala.

Aimilios

alejandroguzman (4684) 2007-01-04 1:10 [Comment]

Show Comment

lucero (1102) 2007-01-04 6:38

Hola Hercules:
Magnífica fotografía que genera un ambiente único y realmente singular.
Me ha impresionado al verla...
La composición es perfecta con el bonito árbol en la parte derecha inclinado hacia el resto de la foto.
Sencillamente, todos los ingredientes de la foto están perfectamente combinados para crear una imagen distinta y singular.
Un saludo y feliz año nuevo!
Javi

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2007-01-04 7:05

Hi Hercules,
This had missed my attention for a while, I am glad I didnt miss it altogether for this is a very special photo. Shades of colour, specially blue has dominated most Greek photos I have come across. But this is splendid in B&W. Almost looks like a desert landscape with all those dust blowing around.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

daddo (28748) 2007-01-10 7:43

Hi Hercules. Strong work here with the elements in full flight. The tree looks as if it's under siege. Tough old thing.Nice theme you put together for this scene. Thoughtfully done. Regards. Klaudio.

uccia84 (720) 2007-01-10 7:46

foto eccezionale!il b/w da un tono cosi' spettrale alla composizione da renderla unica..e non mi vorrei sbagliare ma esiste un quadro di un artista italiano (credo sia Segantini) che riproduce lo stesso ambiente...

cimcim (3712) 2007-01-10 8:27

Another spledid photo from Hercules fingers...
I really love your all photos...
B&W is a good choise.
Aycin

teutza (10590) 2007-01-10 15:59

Kalimera Hercules,
and happy new year!!
this is an amasing image!!congratulations for your catch!!it's an interseting speciall one!!
TFS!
hugs
teo

Robpulp (917) 2007-01-16 7:44

wow. this has stood out to me from looking through your gallery. Brilliant mood and tension with a perfect title. Great capture and a really special piece.

Rob

tibervince (781) 2007-01-30 21:23

Hercules,
How did I passed next to this picture without noticing it... this is a splendid shot... the light, the textures, the composition... a masterpiece....
Bravo...
Vincent

t0mmm1 (5442) 2007-02-14 14:19

Hi Hercules,
wonderful gallery! Don't know which photo open to look at... ... but I must start somewhere ;))
This photo is amazing! I can feel the drama of the tree (but also the one that you wrote in the note), I especially like the snow that's carried away by the strong wind making a layer of mist. I like it very much... and the message also!
Have a nice day,
Tomi

stevep (556) 2007-03-04 0:43

outstanding landscape; I can think of nothing at all negative to say about this photo.... its beautiful and mesmerizing and you should certainly be proud of such work!

take care,
steve

abulafia (4900) 2007-04-09 4:22

Hi Hercules
Lovely B+W composition! I like the lonely tilted tree as the main subject and the snow moving over the cold ground create a very nice effect.
good light and contrast, maybe a tad overexposed in the upper right corner, but this is what creates this strong and nice shadow from the tree.
Nice work
Harry

pady (4800) 2007-05-05 13:00

This landsscape in B&W is incredible, so good choice for B&W.
I like this beautiful compositon
Cheers
Piere-ANdré
I come back

enedimd (1532) 2007-09-15 10:55

Hi dear friend,
This is really sign and award of your courage. Impressive and wonderful shot in BW. TFS,
Have a excellent week-end.
Emir Nedim

clio (27961) 2007-10-17 14:14

Fantastic sight. I thought at first that the wind lifted the ground before reading your note and seeing the snow. Extraordinary scene of the nature which rages in an almost desert landscape.
Which forces in this photo.
Bravo!
The note is really very interesting.
Xairetw
Diane

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-11-28 6:14

Tu foto es tan maravillosa que no se que decir.. mejor me callo y la admiro!!
saludos
Jorge

drama (4) 2007-12-26 9:09

Hi Hercules
This photograph is very powerful and it's interesting composition. it remembered to me a loneliness song. oh yeah, as for me, art is a language the world.

Happy new years.

kiks (12805) 2008-04-06 12:51

Beautiful Hercules and the titel is very well choosen. I love the mood you create by choosing B&W.
Best regards
KIKs

Dashab (2564) 2010-01-04 13:10

Hello Hercules,
I hope it ok to comment on this photo, although is it a couple years old :-)
The mood captured here illustrates your story perfeclty. Beautiful composition with the leaning tree and an excellent light illuminating the blowing snow.
I really like the message of your shot.
Thanks.
Dasha