White and black, a photo from Kyklades, South Aegean

Photographer's Note

A photo taken in a village on Santorini which was for me one the nicest I saw during my holidays, its name : Pyrgos, very nice and authentic greek village which overhangs the island and where there are more Greeks than tourists. There is a real greek atmosphere in this village and I really fell in love for it.
More greeks than tourists and perhaps also more cats than inhabitants. No street without making a meeting like this one...
Inevitably a village that I advise to people who intend to visit Santorini and who have to, at least, taste the famous tomato fritters (called tomatokeftes) prepared by a charming granny in the middle of the village. mmmh� slurps !
Sorry I didn't take the time to photograph them ! ;)

A shot I dedicate to my friend Paolo who loves cats.

=======================================================================

Una foto presa in un villaggio su Santorini. Ho avuto un vero colpo di cuore per questo villaggio che si chiama Pyrgos, carino villaggio che domina l'isola e che ha conservato tutta la sua autenticit�.
Un villaggio dove ci sono pi� di greci che di turisti e fa bene !
E forse anche pi� di gatti che d'abitanti. No via senza fare un incontro di questo tipo...
Inevitabilmente un villaggio che consiglio a quelli che intendono di visitare Santorini. Almeno per gustare alle famose frittelle di pomodoro (chiamati tomatokeftes) preparate da un'adorabile anziana nel centro del villaggio. mmmh� miam !
Scusatemi, non ho avuto il tempo di prenderle in foto. :)

Una foto che dedico al mio amico Paolo che adora i gatti. E le foto in bianco & nero anche ! :))

paololg, holmertz, abmdsudi, Wanda1, annjackman, peppe59, danos, SnapRJW, adores, geoant68, delpeoples, Charo, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bema (26591) 2011-06-19 9:38

Hello Magali,

the "white abum" continues, thatｴs fine. and you have managed another fine shot throughout the streets and pathways of this remarkable village, everyone who has been taken pictures there, it accompanied to your note..

thanks for sharing, see you around, kind regards Bernd

paololg (31448) 2011-06-19 9:45

Certo che adoro i b/n, cara Magali, specialmente quando ci sono io che scendo le scale! :-)
Ancora una volta hai dimostrato di sapere scrivere con la luce e di essere una brava fotografa. Questo tipo di foto, con tanto bianco e una forte luce sono difficilissime da gestire, ma non per te, che sei riuscita ad ottenere anche i dettagli della ruvidit� dei muri. Grazie per la bella e gradita dedica, mi fa molto piacere e mi riempie di orgoglio. GRAZIE!!!
Ciao, passa una buona serata e una buona settimana, e non mangiare troppe frittelle di pomodoro, altrimenti diventi rossa! :-)
Paolo

TopGeo (38220) 2011-06-19 9:47

Hello Magali! A simplicity in islander white and one small point black charms but also moves! I was pleased that Greece gave you a small sample, but generous with charm and wonderful way!-)
Best Regards
Georgios

leo61 (0) 2011-06-19 10:03

very well seen and managed with all tis white.
a great capture.
Regards,leo

patpatch (1601) 2011-06-19 10:06

Bonjour Magali,

J'adore les chats,aussi cette vue de Pyrgos me touche t elle particuli鑽ement (une 精e faite pour moi alors?).
Une vue toute en noire et blanc,sobre et efficace.ce petit chat noir,impossible de le manquer,il s'est bien mis en vedette devant ces murs d'une blancheur immacul馥,le bougre.et en plus il prend la pause.

Je continue de d馗ouvrir la Cr黎e � travers tes photos.
Amicalement
Patrick

dta (98848) 2011-06-19 10:06

Bonjour Magali ,
Un clich� tr鑚 r騏ssi ... sauf pour les supersticieux ! Il fallait 黎re l� au bon moment .
bravo

Bartleby (13552) 2011-06-19 10:20

Salut Magali,
bien dress� � la pose ce chat! Pile au bon endroit! J'aime beaucoup 騅idemment. Petits jeux d'ombres � la Clio en plus...top!
La balance des blancs 軋 doit 黎re coton dans ces villages...tu shootes en raw?

Philippe

holmertz (103628) 2011-06-19 10:23

Hello Magali,
There are lots of us out here who love cats, especially black. Regardless of the cat I am fascinated by the many varieties of grey and white in this photo, and just a slight touch of yellow - or brown - to tell us that this is actually in colour. There is also a number of lines and angles that give it strong graphic qualities. Altogether a great composition.
Kind regards,
Gert

siudzi (34141) 2011-06-19 10:24

Hello Magali,
What a nice shot! Really impressive and perfectly executed. Like it a lot:)
Thanks for sharing!
Best, Malgorzata

carlosmarin (11954) 2011-06-19 10:26

Hello Magali,
Beautiful picture, almost a B/W.
I like the cut you made, that all the architectural elements are white, with a beautiful gray scale, and a focal point: a black cat.
Well done.
TFS
Regards, Carlos

baclama (19214) 2011-06-19 10:49

mais jusqu'o� vas-tu aller avec tes photos grecques??? elles sont toutes plus belles les unes que les autres!! tu as conclues un march� avec une agence de voyage � Santorin? car avec de telles photos on va vouloir y aller ou y retourner!!!
un presque noir et blanc qui laisse voir tous les details...
le chat noir a port� malheur? pas � la photo � priori!
bravo, m'dame
bises
vero

Koopman (1247) 2011-06-19 10:52

Hi Magali
What a nice contrast between the cat and the white walls. Perhaps it was an unexpected encounter but
you succeeded in capturing the right moment,
Good job!
Regards Henk

Herquin (7789) 2011-06-19 11:19

Bonjour Magali,

belle prise "sur le vif " ...
Bravo .

Christian

Schnappilic (9692) 2011-06-19 11:33

Hello Magali,

A real successful composition. I like so much.

All the best,

Ovidiu

jaywalker (16105) 2011-06-19 12:09

Hi Magali, I could wait years & a black cat would not show itself in such a perfect place, this is such a simple picture with an amazing effect, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

rbassin (27472) 2011-06-19 12:18

Hello Magali,
une tr鑚 belle composition,bien vu le contraste des murs blanc et le petit chat noir.
Bonne soir馥
Roland

chawax (20764) 2011-06-19 13:30

Salut Magali,
C'est marrant, je me faisais une id馥 tr鑚 color馥 des villages grecs, et dans tes derni鑽es photos on voit du blanc, du blanc et du blanc ! Et aussi un peu de blanc. Bon, j'aime bien le vert c'est vrai. Mais tout ce blanc 軋 cr馥 des atmosph鑽es tr鑚 douces qui me plaisent bien. Par contre j'imaginais tout � fait les villages grecs avec plein de chats ! Et celui-ci est beau comme tout et tr鑚 photog駭ique (mais quel chat ne l'est pas ?) ! J'aime beaucoup le cadrage qui nous donne l'impression d'黎re au coeur de la sc鈩e, de tomber par hasard au d騁our d'une ruelle sur ce chat et le surprendre. Joli travail en tout cas !
Bonne soir馥,
Olivier

yquem46 (38752) 2011-06-19 14:00

La grande classe Mag
Je ne me lasse pas que tu m'駱ates encore !
Bravissiiiiimo !
PH

ciakgiak (30) 2011-06-19 14:09

Ciao Magalissima,
sono felicissimo di constatare che il tuo viaggio � stato un grande momento dal punto di vista fotografico per te, stai tirando fuori immagini una pi� bella dell'altra, meraviglie monocromatiche dalle quali spicca un soggetto in nero sempre diverso ma fortemente attraente... occhio che prima o poi viene fuori il siculo nero :)))))
Ti faccio i miei pi� sinceri complimenti.
Bacioni... Giorgio.

bestarns (198) 2011-06-19 14:38

Bonjour Magali,

Excellent composition avec ce jeux de noir et blanc,tr鑚 orignal ;)J'aime beaucoup ;-)

patdeph (35750) 2011-06-19 22:22

bonjour Magali
trop mignon,trop beau,j'adore le graphisme ,les ombres et les contrastes,et pour cette photo,il me faut cr馥r un th鑪e car j'ai d駛� 100 favorites.
Amicalement
Psccale

abmdsudi (95869) 2011-06-19 22:39

Hi Magali
Another inspiring close up image emphasizing on strong lines, shapes and textures.That black cat is a real eye puller, at the same time creates a stunning contrast as well. Above all love to see the textures, shadows in superb tones and good white balance, the grey floor completes the compo. A simple image but artistially presented. Well done, Congrats, TFS
Best regards

HimalAnda (10671) 2011-06-19 23:14

Bonjour Magali,

Ce chat noir au milieu de ces rues blanches est assez 騁onnant. Bravo pour le coup d'oeil et le reflex d'avoir sorti l'appareil photo, d'autant plus que la composition est tr鑚 bonne.

St駱hane

Wanda1 (15142) 2011-06-20 0:19

Hi Magali,
Another great one from this beautiful place of mazes and angles. Nice contrast with the all white and the black cat. I like how he is peeping at you around the corner. Well seen and captured.
Regards
Wanda

lilito (3534) 2011-06-20 2:24

Un autre N&B bien originale!!!
Bonjour Magali, cette s駻ie est exceptionnelle, bravo!
Lily

Bournazel (0) 2011-06-20 9:17

Bsr mgali
J'aime pas trop les chats,( et je prefere les voitures qui font du bruit, c'est comme cel�...m^me si ce n'est pas tres rentable sur TE) Mais je fais une petite exception pour toi, car une fois de plus c'est une tres belle composition avec une lumiere aux petits oignons.. A propos , tu nous les montres les beignets � la tomate... sur fond blanc ca devrait donner aussi !
A+
V.

jafadabret (56501) 2011-06-20 10:42

Bonjour Magali,
Je ne sais pas comment tu as pu te trouver dans cet univers blanc avec ce chat noir mais le r駸ultat est magnifique.
Amicalement
Jacques

annjackman (23019) 2011-06-20 10:50

Hello Magali,
Another wonderdful study of white shapes from you. The black cat is so well caught. A very clever and artistic photo.
Regards, Ann

peppe59 (14555) 2011-06-20 11:53

Grande Magali,
ho visto poche foto in TE cos� belle, fantastica sotto ogni aspetto, questo gatto sembra posare per una grande fotografa quale sei.
Complimenti uno scatto fantastica ribadisco fantastico !!!!
peppe

BluSimo (9392) 2011-06-20 12:03

Ciao Magali
l'ambiente richiama immediatamente quello tipico di un luogo del Mediterraneo, nel bianco pastoso e totale dei muri. il gatto ha il doppio pregio di apparire e di guardare verso di te. iconica e molto bella, complimenti.
buona serata
Simonetta

grigand (20290) 2011-06-20 13:27

Ciao Magali,
Stupenda compo, fantastica questa interpretazione per questo soggetto, sembra un BW o comunque quasi desaturata, complimenti un risultato eccellente.
Che strana coincidenza ho appena postato anch'io una foto con un gatto nero !
ciao
andrea

francio64 (39888) 2011-06-20 13:38

Ciao Magalina,
e cos� lo hai visto anche tu? Chi? Paololg ovviamente, detto: "Il gattaccio nero" :-))

Molto originale :-))

L'Assessore

npecanhuk (79329) 2011-06-20 17:37

Salut Magali!
C'est une photo magnifique!
La compo, la gestion de la lumi鑽e et l'id馥 originale sont fantastiques et le r駸ultat visuel est tr鑚 beau et agr饌ble!
Merci du partage,
Amiti駸,
Neyvan

eversmile (11636) 2011-06-20 22:45

Salut Magali

Non, l� vraiment, c'est pas possible! Tu nous sort de ton chapeau des images toutes plus r騏ssies les unes que les autres, avec une composition impeccable, un minimalisme � faire p稷ir clio d'envie, d'autant plus qu'elles s'offrent aussi une belle 駘馮ance dans la gestion de l lumi鑽e.
Ici la pr駸ence du cht est 騅idemment la cerise (noire) sur le g穰eau (de chantilly)...! Avec la forme chaloup馥 des escaliers qui appara羡 � l'unisson des courbes de l'animal.
F駘icitations!
Bises
Marine

danos (110407) 2011-06-20 23:07

Bonjour Magali,
as i see your photos from Santorini,have a sensation of minimalistic aura.I like to see the black cat to be on the white stairs as an excellent brush stroke in the image.Well done.

Se xereto,Danos

jjcordier (79299) 2011-06-20 23:46

Magali
Excellente photo avec,騅idemment, ce chat noir qui fait la diff駻ence. Tr鑚 bien vu et r饌lis�.
Amicalement
JJ

dip (21408) 2011-06-21 0:21

Hello Magali,
a wonderful minimalist and almost b&w image,I like the simple lines and the lighting,the black cat is indeed an eye-catching in the picture,
very well captured!
greetings,
Dimitris.

faubry (35447) 2011-06-21 3:21

Bonjour Magalik, une photo belle par sa sobri騁�, les tons de gris, blancs sont doux, tr鑚 r騏ssi!!
bravo
francine

SnapRJW (31631) 2011-06-21 6:39

Hello Magali - Your current series continues to be a delight to view. The simple white walls and doors take shape under the shifting tones and shadows. The black cat is the perfect FP for this simple but beautiful shot. TFS and best regards Rosemary

alabate (1197) 2011-06-21 9:08

Salut Magali,

Il est vrai que les chats sont partout en Gr鐵e, pour mon grand plaisir d'ailleurs car c'est mon animal pr馭駻�.
Quel superbe tableau! J'imagine la sc鈩e, le chat et toi vous vous immobilisez, chacun surpris par l'autre, observation, et hop un petit clich�...
En tout cas il est trop chou ce chaton tout noir dans tout ce blanc, magnifique.

Une tr鑚 belle journ馥.
Amiti駸,
Adriano

mesutilgim (0) 2011-06-21 12:23

Hello Magali,
Color but b&w effect !
Typical Greeki typical islandic. White simple buildings and a black cat.
Amazing graphism and many interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

adores (46979) 2011-06-21 18:05

Hi Magali!
Another great one! The cat couldn't be better placed and the details of the white architecture are very good!I like the way you framed it, the lines, the textures and especially the presence of the cat! Good work!

FlyPrm (391) 2011-06-22 2:57

Hi Magali,
I like the grey tones and white in this photo, and just a little of yellow inside shows that it is not a monochrome photo. The contrast between the black cat and the white walls. Focusing on the cat and framing works very well. Great composition!
Actually, I had a look in your gallery and I think all of them are very nice shots.
Warm regards,
Fulya

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2011-06-22 7:10

very greek, very good...

krkt

wolf38 (30) 2011-06-22 8:52

Hello Magali. Well, this photo is a fine masterpiece in black and white (although it is colored). The subtle nuances between dark and bright parts are perfect. And the icing on the cake is in everything, of course, the black cat. Really very nice. Rgds, Wolfgang.

tober (8797) 2011-06-24 12:17

One of the loveliest photos of Santorini I have ever seen. The black cat is just at the right place and saying hello to all of us. Congratulations, Tolga

Ricx (13495) 2011-06-25 2:48

Hi Magali, This photo is special.. as can be seen with all the attention it has received.. The strong contrast, the wonderful lines and shadows. but also because a Black cat is meant to be superstitious.. Its becasue of that I want to make it a favourite.. I can see you being able to sell it.. Have a great weekend Ric

ricochet (9716) 2011-06-26 8:57

Bonjour Magali
Une photo digne des plus belles cartes postales du pays avec un tr鑚 belle composition minimaliste, un cadrage nickel et le chat noir contraste parfaitement avec la blancheur typique des habitations de l� bas, bravo � toi c'est superbement compos� et r饌lis�!
Bonne fin de WE � toi
Amicalement
Eric

COSTANTINO (117792) 2011-06-26 12:06

Hello
hello black cat...
I liked your idea of this great
contrast between white and black
a shot with lines,lines and lines
great work
greetings
Costantino

sacavem (18620) 2011-06-28 7:29

Ol� Magali,

No doubt a pretty picture for my eyes.Perhaps one of the best compositions in black and white that I saw here on TrekEarth recently.Very well seen and done!

Cumprimentos,
Filipe

CLODO (45118) 2011-06-29 0:46

Bonjour Magali

Une photo couleur en noir et blanc, quelle gageure! Tr鑚 bonne gestion de la lumi鑽e, les blancs ne sont pas cram駸.
CLODO

geoant68 (331) 2011-06-29 1:44

Hi Magali,
the existence of the little black cat on the white stair,makes the scene unique.The shades and the light are well captured as the presentation too.

Peter

tchefi (1841) 2011-06-29 11:44

Bonsoir Magali
Superbe noir et blanc. quelle chance que ce chat soit pass� par l�.
Amicalement
Jo�le

bebbetto (122) 2011-06-29 12:05

Semplice e geniale Magali !!
Le sto guardando tutte
buona serata

delpeoples (60342) 2011-06-30 2:18

Cara Magali

Beata Paolo, e' un uomo fortunata ad avere una bella dedica cosi. Impressionante la composizione ed i toni bianchi e neri dominante. Non posso dire altro. Posso solo ammirarla. Grazie per la condivisione e ti auguro una bella giurnata del sole.

Un abbraccione
Lisa
PS: Che casino divertente il discorso di "vatte a cucca'". Ho riso troppo. Paolo e' adorabile. Per sicuro e' una frasa Napoletano. Significa "vai a letto" e' niente di piu :) Sono sicura cosi perche mio papa mi l'ha detto ogni notte quando ero piccola :))))

Charo (51290) 2011-06-30 10:12

Bonjour Magali,
C'est une image fantastique, le tout dans la chatte blanche et noire pauses que la norme.
Excellente capture et la grande composition.
Amiti駸,
Charo

papera (14372) 2011-06-30 10:46

ciao magali,
una galleria dalla Grecia non sarebbe completa senza una foto con uno dei tanti e bellissimi gatti ellenici :)
amo tantissimo i gatti e mi piace vederli protagonisti di uno spazio, anche visivo, padroni di cio' che li circonda. questo tuo micio nerissimo domina il bianco circostante in modo perfetto - gli occhietti ti osservano come per dire: " chi e' che invade il MIO territorio??" :)
buona serata,
c.

macjake (98544) 2011-07-02 8:40

Hi Magali
well, for obvious reasons this photo really works well.
I don't have to tell you why, as i'm sure many others have done so already! :)
i like what you commented about in terms of all these cats in the area, now thats something i didn't know, and therefore i'm surprised we dont see more of these contrasting photos.
its a great photo to add to your personal collection, a sweet one, an innocent one!
love it!
have an enjoyable weekend
craig

bmukherjee (1516) 2011-07-03 12:45

Dear Magali!

Another exquisite photograph from you! The cat staring at the camera is very well timed!! Most people would have converted this to black and white - but in retaining the color, you've created an unsaturated yet colored scene.

It seems like greece is marvelous for such compositions - I only wish the rest of the world designed houses and alleys comme ca!! Although, some cities in Rajasthan, Inde are painted white and blue... Steve McCurry knows about that :)

What catches my eye in particular are the door handle to the right and the peculiar shadow to the left of the cat on the steps. It looks as if there is a ghost of a second cat, lurking beside the other one. I wonder what that is...

Keep all the fantastic photos coming - you know you should really promote your pictures. They're all great.

Cheers!
Biswaroop

jemaflor (148248) 2011-07-05 10:06

Salut Magali,
Bien vu ce contraste et bon rendu du blanc des murs, une vue en couleur qui est un vrai n&b, tr鑚 bonne d馭inition, bravo !

giorgimer (35017) 2011-08-21 5:26

Hi,

great catch, perfect moment, simple and great: simply great!

G

willperrett (14215) 2011-10-28 2:09

Salut Magali
A fine picture: I love the near-monochromatic effect of your viewpoint. I think I might have cropped out the door on the right, however...
Regards
Will

GFSSD-1 (5888) 2011-12-05 13:05

What a perfect place,
what a perfect photo..
an artistic work..
brawwo
best wishes

Roeznillo (50) 2011-12-28 12:49

hola MK!, hola lindo gatito!, que bien contrastas con tanto blanco, me gusta la escena, muy graciosa. Saludos y feliz a 2012.

Maria.

dekanski (9421) 2013-10-08 9:32

What's left to say after all these praise, just GREAT!