GM 🎞️ Moments of the Unknown. 194 October 18th at 18:08 in Athens, Greece

In the afternoon I walked to visit the Parthenon, up the hill and through the olive groves. It is a glorious building, even surrounded by scaffolding to keep it upright while rebuilding for over 20 years. Imagine a once in a lifetime chance to see a sacred site and to see it covered. Though the beauty shined through at the top of the hill, where one can see a 360 degree view of the entire city of Athens. I met a man and his family while I was making double exposures. I tend to make portraits of anyone who compliments me while walking by, as it is a nod of noticing and some sort of approval. To co-create with those who reach out, as if the universe itself is lending a hand of connection. We shot a few portraits and moved on to the next temple besides the main. I was waiting for Nickos to arrive, but he was delayed to our meeting time. So I scurried over to the hill nearby as the park officials started to close down the site. There was this rock at the bottom of the stairs where people were taking selfies, reading books, and taking a second to meditate. I sat with my cameras and watched the sky changing colors, facetimed my dad, and then got the call from Nickos saying he was here. We found each other at the halfway mark. I originally wanted to shoot him with the Parthenon up close, and since he was late we could not re-enter. Even though the building was under construction it would have looked off anyway. The blessing was meeting in the middle, where you can see the exquisite columns from afar, with no scaffolding in site. The idea shifted scales and perspectives, but the original idea remained. To honor him, his home, and the sacred that coveted their fair city. It was perfect. In the end, we can imagine the perfect shot, or the perfect scene. And when the moment presents itself, it still happens but in a different way than we could ever think. It is how we can adapt and still achieve the same wishes or results. To be an artist is to be a great improviser when things don't go your way, reframe, and use what you have in front of you.