F4LUFTBILDER
Agria and the shores of the Gulf of Volos
At Agria in Greece, overgrown slopes meet a narrow fringe of water. In some views the coast forms a gentle curve, beyond which the slopes gain height. An overview places the place in the Gulf, a closer look follows the immediate shore zone.
The Gulf and its hinterland
At Agria the slope moves close to the Gulf of Volos. A longer section of bank makes it easier to assess the location of the site between the open water and the rising land.
From land the first thing you notice is the open water. In an aerial view, the process can be reversed and the coast can be seen from the sea. Wherever it changes direction, small protected spaces are created. Other sections extend almost straight to the edge of the picture. When selecting a motif, it is worth comparing these transitions with each other. A single, striking rocky outcrop can identify a location more clearly than a much larger expanse of water with only light and waves visible.
The slope of a landscape
It is difficult to estimate how steep a slope is from a top view alone. A street that rises in curves or the staggering of neighboring buildings gives the eye additional clues. The relief becomes even more vivid if part of the valley floor or the bank remains in the picture. Anyone who selects a recording for a location description can pay attention to this connection. It helps to understand the position of individual subjects without having to estimate height differences from the apparent distance in the image.
The shore zone in detail
On the bank, the familiar solid surface and the changing water surface lie right next to each other. An embankment or a narrow path can appear significantly wider when viewed from an angle than when viewed from a steeper perspective. That's why it's helpful to keep a point such as a junction or a prominent curve in the image. It combines the close-up view with the panorama. Even when switching from landscape format to portrait format, this transition should remain visible if the location on the water is the actual topic.
The distribution of blue tones
Among the 88 photos in the gallery, shot 26 and shot 13 provide a good starting point for the comparison. In the first excerpt, shades of blue play a smaller role. In the second shot, blue areas take up more space. Blue can extend over a large contiguous area or only appear in individual parts. What also counts for the effect is whether these areas extend to the edge of the picture or surround the main subject.
The camera captured October 12, 2017 for shot 88 and shot 45. The time interval between these two views is approximately 134 minutes. ISO 100 and an exposure time of 1/4115 second are recorded for both files.
Select the coastal view for a photo series
When telling a story about a coast, the order of the images counts. A further look first explains the course of the bank. A closer view can then show the transition from land to water. If an image series begins with a narrow section, readers usually need an additional location reference. The planned size is also important for the aerial photographer. A small indentation can be a clear reference point on a double page spread and almost disappear completely in a narrow column. The caption should match the actual section used.
More aerial photos for comparison
Two further articles invite comparison. In the first, Plakas – Crete, a different detail is in the foreground. At Plakas there is only a narrow populated strip between the barren slope and the water. Then Stavros Beach – Crete is a good option. At Stavros Beach on Crete there is a surprisingly closed area of water behind the curved beach line.