Intro...

Instead of quoting anyone, here's how I feel for photography in general...

Photography should not be just something we do, but ultimately a commitment to a more creative, lived to the fullest, life. It is not only about what we do see, but most importantly how we see it. In each and every photograph, the parts we choose to show and those we choose to hide, reveal a part of ourselves. Every photograph tells a story, not only for it's subject but for its maker as well. A photo is not just technique and gear, but also a lot of art and passion. Art in the eyes of the one who makes it and art in the eyes of the one who sees it. And passion in their souls. And as such, it happens first and foremost in our head and heart and then comes the click. If a photo fails to talk to the heart and mind and touch the soul, then as good technically as it might be, it still is and will be just a technically correct missed opportunity...

About me...

Kinda new to Flickr scene, but not so new to photography as a hobby. I live in Greece and I'm a self taught amateur Photography/Editing and Vaping enthusiast, more on the hobbyist side purely, rather than anything else and certainly not a professional in any sense, shape or form as well. That said, it's not like I wouldn't want to be a professional, but I'm not, as other interests drive me in my profession. Good thing is though, that the passion for that one perfect photo, for that one certain special moment captured, is there with me, all the time and accompanies me on my every photo whether it's good or ... not so good, after it's captured ;-)

Also with me, comes along Elena, my better half, who is a newcomer in photography in general. She is slowly learning and getting into it and the more she does, the more she likes it! There will be some of her shots hosted in my collection, (all edited by me, but approved by her and signed with her name of course), until she feels she is ready to take it one step further and create her own gallery (which won't take long hopefully)!

I love to travel the globe whenever possible and taking/making pictures just for the fun of it. I consider photography an art which helps me communicate thoughts and feelings while at the same time, I find in it a safe refuge to soothe my soul. One thing that never ceases to amaze me, is how different everything looks through the camera lens. Sometimes I can see the small details that I'd miss otherwise, and sometimes I'm seeing the big picture which was not there before I look through my lens.

Then comes the editing part, which to me at least, is always an adventure. It's the part where I rediscover my photographs and I come to realize how deceiving appearances can be at first sight. It's only after I have edited the photo, that comes that indistinct feeling of completion. It's right then and there that the pure coal has finally turned into a diamond. To me, every picture is an exciting journey from start to finish, a story waiting to be told, a feeling awaiting to be conveyed, a thought or even an idea waiting to be passed along. And the best part of it is, that when all is said and done, another one is coming.

Gear...

My gear ranges from my old Nikon F90 film camera, to an old Kodak 5Mp, my 1st digital camera, to my 16Mp cellphone (yes I admit, I do use that too in all my unholiness of a wannabe photographer!), to a Sony a7RIII Full Frame camera. As stated, I love editing for I believe it's an art of its own and goes hand in hand with digital era, much like the darkroom in analog/film era in photography in which I grew up, so most if not all of my pictures are post-processed to some extend, mostly in Photoshop. So if you consider yourself a purist, you can't say I have not given a fair warning, but still, you are always welcomed to have a quick looksee, take a peek and perhaps even enjoy, should you so choose! ;-)

Closing thoughts...

There is time. A man made value, made mostly to explain and comprehend the universe we live in. In this respect, there is always the element of time in our photographs. Sometimes prominent and some other times hidden and vague in the background. But it's always there. One can argue that photography is an art of catching moments therefore stopping time (in a sense), in a fast paced world where everything moves fast ironically after all. With the right timing, I would add. So in those terms of time, there are two kind of photographs for me. Those which depict times and those which write history as it happens or has happened. I aspire for both. I would enjoy seeing a picture showing me some ancient place that made it through time, as much as I would enjoy an exciting picture of a joyful moment from my holidays. Key point though is that there is a connection with time, even an indirect and/or a vague one.

And then there are stories waiting to be told or feelings and emotions to be conveyed. I like to think, that it is those untold stories, those feelings that a photo conveys and the emotions that it sparks, that click in our hearts and touch our souls. Therefore I do love to have moody, dramatic, soothing, or exciting backgrounds for my photos. I love as much strong saturated colours as desaturated or B/W scenes, portraits, landscapes and anything and everything in between. I do like POVs, DOFs and edits that reveal and even amplify this kind of feelings and emotions. Of course since I do not own a studio, this is somewhat stretched but you get what I mean...

Now having said all that, I am one to believe that photography should not be confined in a set of so called "rules". Guidelines are good but there should be no borders and boundaries or barriers. There is no right or wrong way to do photography. There is only what works for us. Photography is all about expression and creativity. And then, there is only that one limit. Ourselves. Until there comes a time that we surpass that too and therefore, through photography we redefine ourselves and we evolve. Photography has to be free, to fly along with the eye and the creativity of the photographer, to express emotions and feelings, to project what the photographer's eyes see and how they see it, or in other words, to translate a photographer's state at that particular moment in time, into a picture, thus ... in "a thousand words". Photography should speak when words are not enough. Ultimately, photography is an art of exploring and communicating the world. The outer, as well as the inner, the hidden one. To ourselves and to others. To those who can see it at least. And maybe that's the best way, photography should ever be...

Last but not least. No matter what gear you have, whether it's the latest model or an old one, regardless of film or digital, regardless of all that, there is only one way to take/make a good photo. It won't ever come to present itself before you, while you're sitting on your couch or behind a keyboard. You need to go out there and find it.

Outro...

So if you actually made it reading this far... thank you all for your time visiting, favoring or even commenting my photos. You're all very welcomed and I do really appreciate it immensely. Furthermore, I'm trying my best to do the same for you as well. Best regards and ... enjoy!!!

PSs Section...

I'm the kind of guy that will browse in your gallery and pick those photos I really like. I'm that kind of guy that will prefer the "most interesting" over the "most popular" photos in your stream any given day.

Also I do follow back when I like your stream enough but plz note, no matter how good your photography is, if you are one of those who follow to get followed back and then you either unfollow or don't engage in my content again, be prepared to be unfollowed without notification. Also I don't like those who use Flickr just as a Faves exchange. Or those who just "remember" to fave one of your photos when you fave one of theirs. That's not the concept I am after. It's so "totally missing the point" kind of thinking to my eyes. I'm here to get inspired and admire other peoples' photography as much as they may like mine. I'm not here to exchange faves just for pumping up my ego or to prove anything. So if you are going to be like that at all, please do not follow. I'm not interested! I like to keep my stream clean and dedicated to those who do actually like my work as much as I like theirs. So if you are full of yourself and yourself alone, or if you are one of those following thousands seeking just thousands of follow backs and faves, plz do us both a favor and move on. Don't follow, it's a waste of your time and mine. I don't have spare time for social divas and internet celebrity wannabes.

I go through my list of followers on a regular basis and clear any inactive links. If I have accidentally unfollowed you by mistake, I apologize in advance and I will gladly reinstate if you let me know.

One more thing. I do avoid those who spam post their photos. I do understand eagerness to get your photos out there and share them but for me, trying to even look at say for example 10-15 photos, (let alone decide which I like enough to fave), of one person at any given time, repeatedly during the day is too much. Given the number of the people I follow, if that was the case, I should quit my day job and do nothing else but sitting in front of my computer to see photos. Don't take this personaly please. I probably like your work, else I wouldn't follow in the first place, but I just don't have that kind of time. And that's the reason, why I try to keep the number of people I follow to a minimum, so I have the time to not miss anyone!

Contact Info...

e-mail: oldboy.gr@gmail.com

Also, if you enjoy my pictures here and you are into vaping like I am, you can find me at Instagram for more (vape related) photos.

All of my photographs are ©Copyrighted to me and ©All Rights Reserved worlwide. They may not be used, disributed, displayed, altered or reproduced in any way or form, without my prior written permission. Pretty please! :-)