tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9274139897639756872024-03-05T09:11:16.303+02:00Exploring photographyA photography enthusiast's endeavors...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-23413918099257211452013-11-21T10:14:00.001+02:002013-11-21T10:34:59.357+02:001st Olympic Photo Cirquit 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
6 photos of mine were distinguished in the <a href="http://olympicphotocircuit.com/">1st Olympic Photo Cirquit</a>. I got a total of 11 acceptances in 4 different salons and 2 categories (Nature, Travel). The complete results can be found <a href="http://olympicphotocircuit.com/results">on their website</a>. Here are the photos, per category:
<br /><br />
<b>Nature:</b>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/10974439245/" title="Colorful microcosmos by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/10974439245_269ba54fa1.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Colorful microcosmos"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/9796587044/" title="Sympetrum fonscolombii ♀ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/9796587044_b978b68a0b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Sympetrum fonscolombii ♀"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/8186790369/" title="Episyrphus balteatus ♂ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8349/8186790369_4ec02e43a4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Episyrphus balteatus ♂"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/8556953284/" title="Eucera ♂ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8556953284_df5f7f8533.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Eucera ♂"></a>
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<b>Travel:</b>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/8956619027/" title="Chania harbor entrance by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/8956619027_ddaf7b8fcc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Chania harbor entrance"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5055732752/" title="Gramvousa beach by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4152/5055732752_fb4e01e280.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Gramvousa beach"></a>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-74098852780049473022013-02-22T10:15:00.000+02:002016-03-31T12:32:48.316+03:006th Annual Photography Masters Cup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">
For the fourth consecutive time, I was titled <a href="http://www.thecolorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=12&cid=217&g=n&x=a">Nominee in Wildlife</a>, in this <a href="http://www.thecolorawards.com/">annual color photography contest</a>. This year, 8521 entries were received from 86 countries, and 3 of my insect photos made it to the nomination shortlist. While none of them were awarded any prizes in the end, it still feels great to see my pictures distinguished among many others from around the globe.
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5838859372/" title="Anax imperator ♀ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3662/5838859372_bd2b47d7fd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Anax imperator ♀"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/6048359909/" title="Anax imperator ♂ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6062/6048359909_8b194248fa.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Anax imperator ♂"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/7182743957/" title="Acrida ungarica ssp. mediterranea by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7182743957_080c239d99.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Acrida ungarica ssp. mediterranea"></a>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-48878527192528297592013-02-18T10:43:00.002+02:002013-06-28T16:06:06.991+03:001st Greek Photographic Cirquit 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">
7 photos of mine were distinguished in the <a href="http://greekcircuit.com/">1st Greek Photographic Cirquit</a>. I got a total of 13 acceptances in 4 different salons and 4 categories (Open, Nature, Travel, Experimental). The complete results can be found <a href="http://greekcircuit.com/results">on their website</a>. Here are the photos, per category:
<br /><br />
<b>Open:</b>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/8132062374/" title="Moonrise by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8132062374_1253017882.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Moonrise"></a>
<br />
<b>Nature:</b>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/6837925370/" title="Death on a flower by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6837925370_f42ec5b325.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Death on a flower"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/8382297277/" title="Stages in Life by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8382297277_072c8494f6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Stages in Life"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/7083319981/" title="Eucera ♂ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/7083319981_893d305343.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Eucera ♂"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/8168830425/" title="Thomisus onustus by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8168830425_c674aa78a9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Thomisus onustus"></a>
<br />
<b>Experimental:</b>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/7312834188/" title="Ebenus cretica, texturized by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7312834188_2f81517818.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Ebenus cretica, texturized"></a>
<br />
<b>Travel:</b>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/3902623071/" title="Eiffel and moon by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3521/3902623071_b330aec180.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Eiffel and moon"></a>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-25916463401230459272012-11-19T10:20:00.002+02:002012-11-19T10:20:55.765+02:00Crete-Cyprus 2012 competition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">
I had 2 acceptances in 2 categories (Open, Emotions), in the <b>Crete-Cyprus 2012</b> digital photo competition. The complete results can be found <a href="http://www.efecrete.gr/?q=content/%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%AD%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%8D-%CE%BA%CF%81%CE%AE%CF%84%CE%B7-%CE%BA%CF%8D%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%82-2012">here</a>. Accepted photos will be exhibited on 19-30 November, at St.Marcus Basilica, in the center of Heraklion, Crete. Here are my accepted photos:
<br /><br />
<b>Open:</b>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5838859372/" title="Anax imperator ♀ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3662/5838859372_bd2b47d7fd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Anax imperator ♀"></a>
<br />
<b>Emotions:</b>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5687437697/" title="sıklet by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5304/5687437697_21afb8dc5d.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="sıklet"></a>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-29781405530068942432012-07-10T12:13:00.001+03:002012-07-10T13:40:54.184+03:00Prix de la Photographie Paris (Px3) 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">
My photo titled <i>"Egg-laying Emperor Dragonfly"</i> was awarded the second prize (silver award) in the <a href="http://www.px3.fr/winners/cat_details.php?cat_name=Nature&compName=PX3%202012&pro=student">Non-Professional <b>Nature-Wildlife</b> category</a> of the <a href="http://www.px3.fr/">Px3 - Prix de la Photographie Paris</a> competition.<br />
<br />
The winning work of Px3 2012 & Altered Images will be exhibited today, July 10th 2012, at 7-9 pm, in Espace Dupon (74 rue Joseph de Maistre - 75018 Paris).<br />
<br />
Here is my awarded photo:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5838859372/" title="Anax imperator ♀ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3662/5838859372_bd2b47d7fd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Anax imperator ♀"></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/7542117822/" title="Px3 2012 Silver by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7542117822_210e540545_m.jpg" width="181" height="240" alt="Px3 2012 Silver"></a>
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-78885974006078938952012-03-06T08:40:00.000+02:002012-03-06T09:41:29.346+02:00Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete - Competition 2012<P align="justify">I had 2 acceptances in 2 categories (Color, Architecture), in the latest national digital photo competition organized by the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete</span>. The complete results can be found on <a href="http://www.efecrete.gr/?q=content/%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%AD%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1-%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%AE%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%8D-2012">their website</a>. Here are my accepted photos:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Color:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/4952021131/lightbox/" title="Close to a dragonfly by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4111/4952021131_c40d3a9496.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="Close to a dragonfly"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Architecture:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/6955194497/lightbox/" title="Galerie by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6955194497_ab8987e17c.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Galerie"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-48838908685678350042012-01-16T17:54:00.001+02:002013-02-22T19:42:38.963+02:0037th Smethwick International photo contest<P align="justify">Last month, I had two acceptances in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nature</span> category, in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">37th Smethwick International</span> photo contest, organized by the <a href="http://www.smethwickphotographic.com/">Smethwick Photographic Society</a>, in the UK. Accepted photos <a href="http://www.smethwickphotographic.co.uk/spsint/Smethwick%20International%2037th%20Awards%20and%20Acceptances.pdf">(click here for complete results)</a> were projected last week at <a href="http://www.smethwickphotographic.co.uk/findus.html">The Old School House, Churchbridge, Oldbury</a></P>
<P>Here are the accepted photos of mine:<BR /><BR /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/6048359909/" title="Anax imperator ♂ by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6062/6048359909_8b194248fa.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Anax imperator ♂"></a><BR /><i>Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) male perching</i><BR /><BR /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/6128379724/" title="Sea Daffodils (1/5) by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6079/6128379724_be6f26f301.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Sea Daffodils (1/5)"></a><BR /><i>Sea Daffodils (Pancratium maritimum) on the beach</i></P>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-8496866707198080372011-12-06T19:57:00.001+02:002011-12-06T20:10:27.991+02:007th Swansea International Salon<P align="justify">In November, I had one acceptance in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nature</span> category, in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">7th Swansea International Salon 2011</span> photo contest, organized by the <a href="http://www.swanseacameraclub.co.uk/">Swansea Camera Club</a>, in Wales, UK <a href="http://www.swanseacameraclub.co.uk/awards.html">(click here for complete results)</a>.<br /><br />Here is the accepted photo of mine:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/6081740419/lightbox/" title="Hungry for pollen by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6074/6081740419_5930bcb43d.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="Hungry for pollen"></a><br /><i>Flower Chafer Feasting on a Crown Anemone</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-4554110446554324282011-10-31T09:32:00.006+02:002013-02-22T09:53:25.792+02:005th Annual Photography Masters Cup<P align="justify">On Sunday, October 23rd, four of my insect macros were chosen as Nominees in the <a href="http://www.thecolorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=8&cid=144&g=n&x=a">Nature</a> and <a href="http://www.thecolorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=8&cid=150&g=n&x=a">Wildlife</a> categories, in this <a href="http://www.thecolorawards.com/">annual color photography contest</a>. None of them were awarded any prizes in the end, but it still feels great to see my photos distinguished among many others from around the globe.<br /><br />These are the selected photos:<br /></P><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/4192399094/lightbox/" title="Monster rising by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4192399094_86a46bd4ba.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Monster rising"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5027188362/lightbox/" title="Peablue by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5027188362_18622a2e2d.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="Peablue"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5119577089/lightbox/" title="Lixus sp. by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5119577089_1db46d041b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Lixus sp."></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/4952021131/lightbox/" title="Close to a dragonfly by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4952021131_c40d3a9496.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="Close to a dragonfly"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-25449804214029762282011-07-06T11:27:00.004+03:002011-12-02T09:04:42.506+02:00T-Mobile myTouch® 4G - Wildflower theme<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgite_ZqNU5VpgWAUNHafmHfN8-mOubRrtt6E36HsxywSHQvAJx7Wq4dfFqHf1Vnk9_9IehQ0kC2dZOmD8EsC-y-yzgaA_5SP_GCe3dBfsA5n92hWyp-k4XJ9ooDLMALdm87kqXieQch1LA/s1600/flowertheme.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgite_ZqNU5VpgWAUNHafmHfN8-mOubRrtt6E36HsxywSHQvAJx7Wq4dfFqHf1Vnk9_9IehQ0kC2dZOmD8EsC-y-yzgaA_5SP_GCe3dBfsA5n92hWyp-k4XJ9ooDLMALdm87kqXieQch1LA/s400/flowertheme.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626154499984461058" /></a><P align="justify">My photo of a wet <span style="font-style:italic;">Osteospermum</span> flower is being used as a wallpaper in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Wildflower theme</span>, on the <a href="http://mytouch.t-mobile.com/mytouch-4g">T-Mobile HTC myTouch® 4G</a> smartphone.<br /><br />The photo was licensed by T-Mobile via Getty Images (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/85468098">photo on gettyimages.com</a>).<br /><br />Here is the photo on Flickr:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/388914412/" title="Embrace by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/388914412_a3eadacac4_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Embrace"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-11352881790631529212011-05-30T18:35:00.008+03:002016-03-31T12:39:07.302+03:006th Annual Black & White Spider Awards<div style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/4404425831/" title="Roots by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2772/4404425831_437851012a.jpg" width="250" height="500" alt="Roots"></a><br /></div><br /><p align="justify">On Sunday, May 29th 2011, my photo called "Roots" was distinguished as a <a href="http://www.thespiderawards.com/gallery/6th/gallery.php?x=a&cid=92&g=w">Nature Nominee</a> in the <a href="http://www.thespiderawards.com/">6th Annual Black & White Spider Awards</a> international photo competition.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-91095399883749972352011-03-04T09:12:00.008+02:002011-12-06T20:17:01.520+02:0098th Southampton International Exhibition<P align="justify">I had one acceptance in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nature Digital</span> class, in the <a href="http://www.southamptoninternationalexhibition.co.uk/">98th Southampton International Exhibition</a> (SIE 2011) photo contest, organized by the Southampton Camera Club, in Great Britain.<br /><P align="justify">They attracted well over 11,000 entries from more than 60 countries around the world, confirming their position as one of the largest photographic salons in the United Kingdom. There will be an exhibition of all the prize-winning images in the central atrium of Southampton's WestQuay Shopping Centre from Thursday 5 May to Sunday 8 May 2011, as well as presentations of a selection of the best images from SIE 2011 at several locations within the UK (for dates and venues, check their <a href="http://www.southamptoninternationalexhibition.co.uk/">website</a>).<br /><br />Here is the accepted photo of mine:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5027188362/lightbox/" title="Peablue by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4090/5027188362_18622a2e2d.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="Peablue"></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Lampides boeticus</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-30816781667700235362010-11-29T14:06:00.010+02:002011-12-06T20:18:36.183+02:0036th Smethwick International photo contest<P align="justify">I had one acceptance in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nature</span> category, in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">36th Smethwick International</span> photo contest, organized by the <a href="http://www.smethwickphotographic.com/">Smethwick Photographic Society</a>, in Great Britain.<br /><P align="justify">The competition received over 9250 entries, in 3 categories (Open, Nature, Travel). Accepted photos <a href="http://www.smethwickphotographic.co.uk/spsint/Exhibition_2011/36th%20Smethwick%20International%20Acceptances.pdf">(click here for complete results)</a> will be projected from the 8th to 16th January 2011 <a href="http://www.smethwickphotographic.co.uk/SPSInt/int_07_exhibition_Programme.htm">(click here for the detailed exhibition programme)</a>, at <a href="http://www.smethwickphotographic.co.uk/findus.html">The Old School House, Churchbridge, Oldbury</a>.<br /><br />Here is the accepted photo of mine:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2384928074/lightbox/" title="Harvesting gold by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3034/2384928074_32d6bbd220.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Harvesting gold"></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Harvesting gold</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-8757847882144666152010-11-11T13:09:00.006+02:002011-12-06T20:16:38.224+02:00ISO2010 international photo contest<P align="justify">I recently had one acceptance in the international photo contest <b>ISO2010</b>, organized by the <a href="http://www.doubledeclic.com/">Photo Club Double Declic</a>, in Belgium. <br /><P align="justify">Over 750 photographers from 51 countries sent 6571 photos, in 3 categories (Color, Monochrome, Alternative creativity), 1544 of which were accepted <a href="http://www.doubledeclic.com/ISO/Doc/Acceptations.pdf">(click here for complete results)</a> and will be projected in December 10-12, at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=13+Place+de+Hoves,+Silly,+R%C3%A9gion+Wallonne,+Belgique">Place de Hoves</a>.<br /><br />Here is the accepted photo of mine:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/5027188362/lightbox/" title="Peablue by /\/\acropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4090/5027188362_18622a2e2d.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="Peablue"></a><br /><i>Lampides boeticus</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-76753959261263098672010-07-06T16:24:00.006+03:002011-03-04T09:34:40.988+02:00Digital Photo Competition - Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete<P align="justify">I had 5 acceptances in 2 categories, in the latest national digital photo competition organized by the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete</span>. The complete results can be found on <a href="http://www.efecrete.gr/news_gr">their website</a>. Here are my accepted photos:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Color Photography (Free Theme):</span><br /><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/1998212134/" title="Amazing feet! by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/1998212134_3a66c9c6b2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Amazing feet!"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2626827957/" title="Lacewing reflected by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2626827957_532acef04c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Lacewing reflected"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Experimental Photography (Free Theme):</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2906092175/" title="Reflectopia I by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2906092175_9633d12b1f_m.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="Reflectopia I"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2925578956/" title="Reflectopia II by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2925578956_e786b005b1_m.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="Reflectopia II"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/1341279760/" title="narcissism by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/1341279760_6240dac689_m.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="narcissism"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-2462796425966754142010-05-31T19:15:00.003+03:002016-03-31T12:29:07.079+03:004th Photography Masters Cup<P align="justify">Yesterday evening, the results of this annual <a href="http://www.thecolorawards.com">color photography competition</a> were announced. I was really glad to have <b>6 photos nominated in 3 different categories</b>. I didn't win any awards in the end, but I felt really proud and honored to see my photos displayed alongside amazing images by talented people all around the world. I was especially happy to have 4 photos chosen in the Wildlife category, which is my favorite. Here are my nominations:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.colorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=6&cid=74&g=n&x=a">Nominee in <b>Fine Art</b></a>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2906092175/" title="Reflectopia I by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2906092175_9633d12b1f.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Reflectopia I" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.colorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=6&cid=75&g=n&x=a">Nominee in <b>Nature</b></a>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/388914412/" title="Embrace by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/388914412_a3eadacac4.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Embrace" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.colorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=6&cid=81&g=n&x=a">Nominees in <b>Wildlife</b></a>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/3091506129/" title="Deadly beauty by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/3091506129_87c7db8fb8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Deadly beauty" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2626827957/" title="Lacewing reflected by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2626827957_532acef04c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Lacewing reflected" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2504866850/" title="The emperor's portrait by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2504866850_002e5ae357.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="The emperor's portrait" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2649421474/" title="Of butterflies and zinnias by macropoulos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2649421474_4d75cc8d74.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Of butterflies and zinnias" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-11522600196140411282010-03-15T12:41:00.004+02:002010-03-15T12:45:59.203+02:00Macrophotography presentationThis is the slideshow from a presentation I made, on macrophotography technique and my wildlife macro photos, at <a href="http://www.forth.gr/" target="_blank">FORTH</a>'s visual arts group, on March 10th, 2010.<br /><br /><div style="width:425px" id="__ss_3406653"><strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/smarkopoulos/macrophotography-3406653" title="Macrophotography">Macrophotography</a></strong><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=a-100312022019-phpapp02&stripped_title=macrophotography-3406653" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=a-100312022019-phpapp02&stripped_title=macrophotography-3406653" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="padding:5px 0 12px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/smarkopoulos">Stavros Markopoulos</a>.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-12947160250613101772010-01-26T10:04:00.005+02:002016-03-31T12:41:41.012+03:005th Annual Black and White Spider AwardsI was really glad to find out that, on Sunday, I got two nominations in this annual international <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.thespiderawards.com/">black&white photography competition</a></span>. I feel really honored to have my photos distinguished among these other amazing works :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.thespiderawards.com/gallery/5th/gallery.php?x=a&cid=44&g=w">Nominee in Fine Art</a></span>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2925578956/" title="Reflectopia II"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2925578956_e786b005b1.jpg" title="Reflectopia II" alt="Reflectopia II" width="500" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.thespiderawards.com/gallery/5th/gallery.php?x=a&cid=86&g=w">Nominee in Wildlife</a></span>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2523825358/" title="Teamwork"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2523825358_a89a4a517b.jpg" title="Teamwork" alt="Teamwork" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thespiderawards.com/gallery5"><img border="0" src="http://www.thespiderawards.com/images/spider-nominee.jpg" width="130" height="35"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-33642575648783480482010-01-21T11:29:00.003+02:002010-10-05T11:17:44.837+03:00Three of my wildflower photos published<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px;"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2420825686/" title="Ophrys heldreichii"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/2420825686_188a93b430_m.jpg" title="Ophrys heldreichii" alt="Ophrys heldreichii" width="240" height="240" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Ophrys heldreichii</span><br /><p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/2432904999/" title="Tulipa doerfleri (anthers intact)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2432904999_5e0de99e10_m.jpg" title="Tulipa doerfleri (anthers intact)" alt="Tulipa doerfleri (anthers intact)" width="240" height="240" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Tulipa doerfleri</span><br /><p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/4289541077/" title="Bellis"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4289541077_8fb807e52d_m.jpg" title="Bellis" alt="Bellis" width="240" height="240" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Bellis sp.</span><br /></div><P align="justify"><br />These three photos of mine, picturing wildflowers growing on Crete, are featured in a book by Theano Metaxa, titled <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Το λουλούδι στην κρητική μαντινάδα"</span>, which translates to: "Flowers in Cretan Mantinades".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bigbook.gr/index.php?lang_id=1&mode=singleBook&book_id=180592"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 157px;" src="http://www.dokimakis.gr/covers/img/b-177406.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Συγγραφέας: Μεταξά Νίκου Θεανώ<br />Τίτλος: Το λουλούδι στην κρητική μαντινάδα<br />Εκδόσεις: Δοκιμάκης<br />Έτος: 2009<br />ISBN: 978-960-98766-9-8<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mantinada</span> is Cretan folk poetry, specifically rhyming couplets, typically improvised during dance music. The book is a compilation of mantinades featuring flowers, meticulously collected over the years by Mrs Metaxa. It also features full-page photos of beautiful flowers by various Cretan photographers, including yours truly :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-58923132522051664712009-03-31T15:03:00.005+03:002016-03-31T12:12:36.337+03:003rd Annual Photography Masters Cup | International Color AwardsI was excited to find out I got two nominations in this <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.thecolorawards.com/">annual color photography competition</a></span>. I felt really honored to be chosen, especially as this was my first recognition in an international contest :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.colorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=3&cid=32&g=n&x=a">Nominee in Fine Art</a></span>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/1341279760/" title="narcissism"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/1341279760_6240dac689.jpg" title="narcissism" alt="narcissism" width="500" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.colorawards.com/gallery/index.php?gaid=3&cid=54&g=n&x=a">Nominee in Wildlife</a></span>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/1998212134/" title="Amazing feet!"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/1998212134_3a66c9c6b2.jpg" title="Amazing feet!" alt="Amazing feet!" width="500" height="333" /></a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-64940034812521577262008-11-26T10:24:00.009+02:002015-05-20T17:09:47.644+03:00Right place, right time<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/3061007240/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3061007240_5808c247df_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a></div><P align="justify">This photo, captured on my way to work last Wednesday, makes me feel <span style="font-weight:bold;">realy lucky</span>, for being in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">right place</span>, at the <span style="font-weight:bold;">right time</span>. I pass by this spot twice a day, sometimes stopping for a couple of shots, as I like the landscape. In fact, I've already posted three photos of the same place in the past [<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/markop/346599478/" target="_blank">1</a>] [<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/markop/444106337/" target="_blank">2</a>] [<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/markop/2691718741/" target="_blank">3</a>].<br /><br />But that particular morning, when I realized that a rainbow was forming, I hit the brakes so hard that I would've caused an accident had some other car been following behind me! I got out and started snapping shots with my 35mm, but I wasn't satisfied at all with the results... Then, this very composition formed in my mind, so I changed into my 100mm and actively sought out the angle that would put the rainbow and the building in opposite corners, while fitting them in a tight frame (this is exactly what I shot, no crop). This meant jumping over a fence and treading on muddy ground, but I believe the result was worth the trouble :-)<br clear="all" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-70038639319206082312008-11-03T14:09:00.008+02:002008-11-03T17:00:17.219+02:00Early days: Overcoming arachnophobia<P align="justify">In my previous posts, I've covered the fact that dragonflies have been my main fascination in the world of nature photography. Now let me tell you a bit about my encounter with a spider, that helped me overcome my inherent arachnophobia and allowed me to broaden my horizons and include previously considered "dangerous" critters in my subjects' list, like spiders, scorpions, centipedes, wasps and the like...<br /><P align="justify">I had read about wolf-spiders before, all about their burrowing lairs and their unique "motherly care", but I had never thought I would encounter one, let alone outside my house! It was our first year in our newly built house in the countryside, when in <span style="font-weight:bold;">late August 2006</span>, I spotted a suspicious looking hole in our garden next to the parking lot. After some examination, I realized that a hole in the dirt, with a diameter of about 2cm, its interior lined with silk web, could only belong to a spider, a <span style="font-weight:bold;">wolf-spider</span> to be specific (family: <span style="font-style:italic;">Lycosidae</span>)! For a few days I was both terrified and excited about the discovery: excited that I could potentially see with my own eyes a creature that this far had belonged to photos from far-away exotic places, but also terrified at the thought that maybe my family and I were in danger of getting bit by such a "fiend"!<br /><P align="justify">For a few days, I was all over the network trying to find more about lycosids and my fears were alleviated a bit by learning that these spiders were neither aggressive, nor dangerous to humans, at least not the species found throughout Europe. Their bite is supposed to be no more painful or dangerous than a bee sting. This fact made me relax a bit and the feeling of excitement got the best of me... Then on Saturday afternoon, <span style="font-weight:bold;">August 26th</span>, getting out of my car and pausing once more to look at the hole, I thought I saw movement inside and so decided to investigate...<br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/226981438/" title="Ready or not, here I come! by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/89/226981438_0b38392d2b_m.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="Ready or not, here I come!" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a></div><P align="justify">I took a long <span style="font-weight:bold;">twig</span> and just barely entered it into the entrance of the hole and sure enough the spider (that apparently felt threatened) raced from inside her lair to the entrance and <span style="font-weight:bold;">attacked</span> it! I was taken by surprise by the speed she moved and I immediately let go of the twig and jumped back in fear, my heart racing (I'm pretty sure I must have screamed, too)! I stared at her for long moments in disbelief, or maybe I was just frozen in fear... At a body length of 2-3cm, she was the biggest spider I had ever seen: with her legs outstretched she was bigger than my palm!<br /><P align="justify">But I quickly realized that she was probably more afraid of me than I was of her, because when I moved she quickly retreated back into her lair. So, I began to fight back my own fear, helped by the gallons of adrenaline my body was surely pumping by that time. Finally curiosity got the best of me and I decided to take out my camera. Using the twig technique to <span style="font-weight:bold;">lure her out</span> of her hole several times, I made some shots. The photo on the right was the best I could manage, with my Canon Powershot S45 and trembling arms :-)<br /><P align="justify">I contacted a local arachnologist, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Dr Maria Chatzaki</span>, who identified the species as <span style="font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Lycosa praegrandis</span>, which is the only big species of this family on the island of Crete. It was definitely a female, as male lycosids tend to be smaller than that and don't dig lairs (they just roam). <br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/230763627/" title="Lycosa praegrandis, hunting at night by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/230763627_c1666f389a_m.jpg" width="240" height="144" alt="Lycosa praegrandis, hunting at night" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a></div><P align="justify">A few days later, on <span style="font-weight:bold;">August 30th</span>, I went to get my car at night and I spotted her silhouette on the parking lot floor (I told you her lair was in the garden next to the parking lot). I immediately ran back home to get my camera and I managed to get a few night shots of her with the flash.<br /><P align="justify">On <span style="font-weight:bold;">September 12th</span>, just after the first autumn rain, I found out that she had closed the entrance to her lair using whatever debris she found around. I assumed that she was hibernating and was expecting to see her again in spring.<br /><P align="justify">But on Saturday, <span style="font-weight:bold;">October 16th</span>, I was in for a surprise: I saw that she had once more opened her lair. At first, I thought that maybe the water from the recent heavy rains managed to flood her tunnel and she was forced out by that. Anyway I thought this was a great opportunity for some more captures and I tried to get her out the usual way (teasing her with a small twig). In the past, whenever I tried that, she was quick to get out of her lair and attack the twig, but this time, no matter how many times I teased her, she would kick the twig with her two front legs, touch it with her palps, even bite it with her fangs, but she refused to get her fat belly out of the tunnel!<br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/271129415/" title="She's a Mother! by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/113/271129415_07a4035651_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="She's a Mother!" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a></div><P align="justify">I thought she was being plain lazy and eventually gave up and decided that I would settle for a shot of her posing at the entrance. I took a couple of photos and saw that only part of her legs and a little bit of face was visible and although I hated using the flash (because I thought it gave her a goofy look with one blue eye and one red!), I fired it up, in order to get as much of her hidden body as possible. That's when I realized the real reason why she refused to expose her whole body! She was fully packed with spiderlings!!! Thus I got to witness the <span style="font-weight:bold;">wolf-spider's unique method of infant care</span>. Immediately after the little spiders hatch and emerge from their protective silken case they clamber up their mother's legs and all crowd onto her abdomen where they'll stay until their first moult.<br /><P align="justify">A few days later, flooding rains destroyed her lair, burying it under heaps of mud. I never saw this spider again, I'm not even sure she made it, but I sure hope she did! I also wish I encounter this species some day again, now that I have the equipment for a proper macro, I only hope I'll still be able to muster the courage to get on my knees in front of her and make the shots :-)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-53866734699719250242008-10-30T14:32:00.005+02:002008-11-03T15:54:48.377+02:00Early days: A love for dragonflies<P align="justify">Following the capture of the emperor dragonfly in-flight, that I described in <a href="http://macropoulos.blogspot.com/2008/10/early-days-how-it-all-started.html" target="_blank">my previous post</a>, I developed a keen interest in dragonflies and I started capturing the species that were visiting the pond.<br /><P align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/214922233/" title="Blue skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) male by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/214922233_e7a805b429_m.jpg" width="240" height="192" alt="Blue skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) male" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/214922232/" title="Scarlet darter (Crocothemis erythraea) male by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/214922232_1644e809f2_m.jpg" width="240" height="192" alt="Scarlet darter (Crocothemis erythraea) male" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a><br /><P align="justify">That's about how close my <span style="font-weight:bold;">Canon Powershot S45</span> could take me and I still had to crop the photos to bring the dragonflies closer. Back then I used to crop my photos to <span style="font-weight:bold;">1280x1024</span> pixels to fit exactly my screen and I often used them as backgrounds.<br /><P align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/214922230/" title="Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) female ovipositing by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/214922230_d72f30d34a_m.jpg" width="240" height="192" alt="Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) female ovipositing" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/214922231/" title="Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) male by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/214922231_95e53b7c1f_m.jpg" width="240" height="192" alt="Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) male" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a><br /><P align="justify">Back then I used to just put the subject in the center of the photo and not care for composition, my foremost intention was to get as close to the subject as possible and nail the focus. My favorite captures though were the ones I managed with the sky as a background:<br /><P align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/220777881/" title="Return of the King by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/220777881_9e4ded8a75_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Return of the King" align="absmiddle" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/216713849/" title="Red against blue by macropoulos, on Flickr" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/216713849_6b9d646a68_m.jpg" width="240" height="192" alt="Red against blue" align="absmiddle" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a><br /><P align="justify">I still got to research every single species that I shot and managed to identify all pond visitors. This way I also got to learn more about their behavior which in turn helped me develop my approaching tactics.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-62006656688776480042008-10-08T14:43:00.013+03:002008-11-03T15:45:00.099+02:00Early days: How it all started...<P align="justify">I've always been fond of photography. I liked the fact that it gives you a way to capture a special moment thus cherishing it forever. I used to own a couple of compact film cameras, making snapshots during travels or events, but back then I didn't put time into learning more about photography, I just pointed and shot...<br /><P align="justify">All that started changing when I got my first compact digital camera, a <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons45/">Canon PowerShot S45</a>, in <span style="font-weight:bold;">2003</span>. I liked the fact that I could immediately see what I shot (who doesn't?), so it allowed me to quickly correct mistakes, speeding the whole learning process. Plus, I already had knowledge of Photoshop, allowing me to post-process my photos effectively and produce better results from day 1. That got me hooked in the first place. But I still lacked the motivation to start shooting beyond the usual kids / travels / events...<br /><P align="justify">Then something unexpected happened that forever changed the way I saw photography and motivated me to delve deeper into both technique and art. At about the same time that I got my camera, my father had built a pond outside his house, located in the countryside. Lo and behold this pond in a usually dry environment started attracting several insects next spring. On <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sunday May 2nd 2004</span>, while making our regular family visit to my parents, I noticed that there was a big blue dragonfly circling the pond. I had never seen a live dragonfly before so curiosity got the better of me and I decided to photograph it. I took me a while, since the dragonfly never ceased flying, but countless shots later I ended up with a single photo where the insect is in focus.<br /><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markop/216713848/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/94/216713848_14650653b5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #333333;" /></a></div><P align="justify">Since the subject only occupied a small portion of lower-right corner of the photo, I considerably cropped it and only kept 1/3 of the original 4Mpixel shot, ending up with what you see here. Immediately, questions started forming on my mind about this creature and I got into researching on the Internet to learn as much as I could about it. A few days later I realized that what I had captured was actually a male <span style="font-weight:bold;">Emperor Dragonfly</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">(Anax imperator)</span> that had decided to take over the pond and was actually patrolling, ready to defend its territory against other males of the same species, and looking forward to mate with a female.<br /><P align="justify">That was enough to spark my interest into nature photography and I still enjoy researching the natural history of every single subject I shoot.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927413989763975687.post-52305093502178521402008-06-03T14:42:00.003+03:002008-10-30T15:00:50.845+02:00Who am I?<P align="justify">My name is Stavros Markopoulos. I'm a photography enthusiast living on the island of Crete, in Greece. I've studied Computer Science and work as a Software Developer in the Telecommunications sector, but I've recently discovered a passion for photography. I'm especially fond of nature macrophotography, which was the reason I took up photography in the first place. In that sense, I'm blessed to live on an island with rich fauna and flora, including some endemic species, that gives me plenty of interesting subjects to work with.<br /><P align="justify">I don't claim to be an expert, in fact I'm nowhere near it and have a long way to go... I'm constantly striving to make a better photographer out of me, learning new techniques, studying, experimenting. This blog will serve as a documentation of my efforts and hopefully as a testament to the improvement of my photography skills. I'm open to creative criticism as I owe much of my progress over the last couple of years to a handful of more experienced photographers that have offered advice and help.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14917670306950758554noreply@blogger.com1