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 p.2 #3 · Oia, Santorini – Where the Sun Kisses the Sky | |
Stefan Official wrote:
Back then, I was using a Canon EOS-1D Mark II with the EF 24–70mm f/2.8 L USM lens. That setup was already leaning toward high-end and nearly full-frame. At the time, Canon was still using a sensor size between full-frame and APS-C, with a crop factor of 1.3. True full-frame was simply too expensive for me in my younger years.
Monitor resolutions were so low back then—1024×800 was common—that you couldn’t even fully appreciate the camera's resolution on screen. So, revisiting and re-editing a few hidden gems has definitely been worth it.
Even back then, photographers were always waiting for the “next camera,” the one that would make everything better. And it’s been like that for decades. But if you're still waiting for the perfect gear, you’ll never actually take photos. Sure, better equipment helps—but it doesn’t make better photos by itself. Even then, just like now, I could shoot whatever I wanted.
When I read photography forums today, especially around bird photography, and people are debating whether 9, 15, 30 or more fps are necessary—I just skip that part. It’s kind of crazy what people expect from gear today. And yet, many photos still look like they did 30 years ago.
I don’t know if Santorini is still as peaceful as it used to be. Back then, it definitely was—I visited several times. But honestly, I have no idea what it’s like now. Instagram didn’t exist. No Facebook, no YouTube. Fred Miranda had just started selling his first sharpening tools—I don’t think the forum was even online yet. Google Maps and smartphones? Not a thing.
At that time, many photographers were true pioneers. There were few references, no previews of locations, barely any shared ideas. You never really knew what to expect. And that made it special. It was more honest. You let yourself be surprised, and that gave everything a certain magic.
I imagine the island has changed a lot since then—especially in terms of tourism, driven by Instagram and social media.
And the tripod… back then, it was an absolute beast. With the geared head, my complete tripod setup weighed around 6 kg (13.2 lbs). Carbon tripods didn’t exist yet. I never want to carry something like that again. Today, my entire tripod — including the head — weighs just 1 kg (2.2 lbs). What a difference.
I don’t need those old days anymore.  ...Show more →
Thanks for the info on the equipment used and your general thoughts . I visited Santorini twice in 2011 and 2013 both times during a cruise ship vacation. Not the best way to make good pictures since the ship tends to arrive late and leave early, so no sunsets on sunrises...It was quite busy and hectic then, so I imagine it is much worse today with bigger ships and more cruise lines...It is definitely a unique and inviting destination, but if I had to pick I would probably choose a less known place with fewer visitors...
Best of luck in your travels Stefan!
jacob
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