And then I got bored…

by Stefan Fletcher July. 28, 2009 3409 views

I’m still working, but in an empty house – or rather one full of boxes. A friend called to go for a drink and as I stepped out at just before dusk, the most amazing combination of colours hit me. Nothing for it but to go back, ransack the house to look for box 23 (codenamed “F” for fun – don’t go there, it means I can’t spell fotography) and phish out my camera. I missed the perfect moment, and my friend had a sudden emergency (boyfriend trouble, I imagine). So I went around shooting lights, perhaps as a natural extension to the “city of light” post which I uploaded earlier today.

Walk around with an SLR and a flash gun in a neighbourhood like Exarcheia and a lot of people will furtively ask you what you’re doing. It’s quite a druggy place, from which I deduce that opiates increase your paranoia whilst lowering your IQ. I think a police spy would probably be a bit more discreet. There’s little point remonstrating with the really stoned ones, but show the others image after image of blurred, underexposed pictures of lights at night and they think you’re crazy, which means I fit right in.

I have previously mentioned the special quality of dusk in Athens (gluttons for punishment can click here [photoblog.com]). There’s a tipping point when artificial light gains ascendancy over the darkening sky. If my prose were as purple as my images, I’d be tempted to call it being on the cusp of darkness, but I started shooting well after that point this evening. I’ll try to get it right some time before I go.

I used quite a few post-processing fiddles to compensate for the fact that I don’t know how to use a flash.

I missed the glorious fiery peach and purple of the sunset, the remnants of which you can imagine. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

athens revenant nighttime dusk

Stefan Fletcher

leaving PB after nearly a decade because it has become prudish, bland and boring

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There are 12 comments , add yours!

Sandra Vermeulen 11 years, 5 months ago

I very much like the last one!!
It has an myserieuze atmosphere.

11 years, 5 months ago

Vera Smith 11 years, 5 months ago

[b]I like #2 and #6. [/b] No.2 because of the colors ( i like bright colors) and no.6 because it is scarey. Stay safe, this looks like a place where trouble will find you.

11 years, 5 months ago

David Swatton 11 years, 6 months ago

That's an eclectic set of night shots and I'm surprised you got anything with flash never mind shots like these. I really like the last one. Kind of a seedy feel, but perhaps that says more about me than the photo. I think I'll stop now and go and have a beer.

11 years, 6 months ago

Piyali 11 years, 6 months ago

I love the lighting in all the shots, but No#6 is special..it brings out the atmosphere of a dark alley and I can sense somebody hiding in the corner chased by a photographer with an SLR and a flash gun..

11 years, 6 months ago

Marsha 11 years, 6 months ago

All interesting and colorful.....but the last one is wonderful!

11 years, 6 months ago

Thebronzebow 11 years, 6 months ago

Nice set. It's fun taking a wander isn't it? I agree with the guys, like #2, 3 and 6 especially. Looks a bit scary though.

11 years, 6 months ago

Jarvo J 11 years, 6 months ago

I really like the colours here - but I'll take your word for it that the pre-PB versions are better. Number 2 reminded me of William Eggleston - I think its a great shot.

I don't know if you've every seen the documentary on Moby where he talks about his passion for photography. There's a great bit there where he tries to photograph a family and they just don't want to know. He says much the same about the neighbourhood and the type of people there.

11 years, 6 months ago

Jacki 11 years, 6 months ago

I'm impressed at the really great colors you got!! Very nicely done!

11 years, 6 months ago

Jessica 11 years, 6 months ago

I agree with joycephotography - 6 stands out for me. All the elements of it work. The light, the tone, and the mood.
It feels like a crime scene waiting to happen - I'm half expecting a modern day incarnation of Sherlock Holmes to pop his head around the end corner of the laneway :)

11 years, 6 months ago

Eric J H Joyce 11 years, 6 months ago

I love everything about #6.

11 years, 6 months ago

Michael Sakowicz 11 years, 6 months ago

Flash really is very tricky. I can't really use it well unless I'm shooting 'not-so-fun' cliche portraits. Then again, available light really is the way to go.

11 years, 6 months ago

Stefan Fletcher 11 years, 6 months ago

And once again, PB has flattened my colours, adding a dull grey despite my best effort. You'll have to take my word for it; these colours are subtle, conflicting, vibrant and not at all, but at all, boring.

11 years, 6 months ago