Loaded, Colorful Outtakes

Sunset over Dias Islet, Kefalonia

Decisions, decisions!

Before the ink had a chance to dry (*) on the first photo stories I prepared for the KefaloniaWorld e-Magazine, an unrelenting dilemma surfaced. What do I include and what do I leave out?

Despite the plethora of images available—a result of years' worth of roaming on Kefalonia with a camera strapped around my neck—the problem is not quantity but qualitaty. Take sunsets, for example; I have hundreds of images that I could use. But some of my better sunset images, photographically-wise,  do not mean that much to me.
There, I've said it!
Let me explain.

 My photo safaris

Sometimes I went about my quest with a purpose in mind, correct settings on the camera, time to spare, and conscious choice of location and time so they'd be advantageous in terms of light and sky conditions.

So, I do have heaps of "semi-correct" (**) sundown images. On the other hand, sometimes I was just impelled to point the camera at the horizon and press the shutter button without addressing suitability of lens, settings, or position.

But Kefalonia does that to you.

You may be on the road driving—or occupied photographing sea shells, e.t.c.,—but if you lift or divert your glance from the task at hand, you are overwhelmed by colors, shapes, and light formations that developed while your attention was focused elsewhere.

Then, you act on feeling and instinct rather than on plan. And though the images that result are not picture-perfect, they are loaded with memories of those moments and stories that are hard to put into words.

Like these outtakes... which will probably never make it to the website; I'll keep them to share here.

Case in point: Top photo was taken from Avythos Beach on an afternoon dedicated to collecting pebbles and sea shells since the approaching sunset and sky seemed to be dull, monochromatic, and otherwise uninteresting.

Sunset over Paliki Peninsula

More: Photo above was taken from Gradakia Beach, while in the car, listening to music and daydreaming to kill time, waiting for the full moon to rise in the evening sky.

Sunset over Livatho

The shenanigans of Kefalonian light

Eyes on the road! That is the wise thing to do if you're driving on the Poros-Argostoli road, and not just in the afternoon!

But as you drive through the villages of Simotata and Vlahata, you should always be prepared. For me that translates into quick recollection of every widening and clearing along the road, and the camera placed on the passenger seat.

No need to worry about lens selection or current settings.
The island's insane light will do all the exposure compensation ever required.

(*)  Although old enough to have used plain paper and ink, I do really mean "before I could save the .doc file on my computer screen" —but it just doesn't look or sound as good as ink drying on the page!
(**) I will never aspire for more than "semi-correct" —lest I fall into the popular trap of shooting or post-processing photos to such correctness that they no longer resemble the island. You know what I mean 😉

Help me Find my Marbles!

OR PEBBLES... whichever you prefer.

Fact is, I need to complete the puzzle for the KefaloniaWorld Site.
Although it is pretty much mapped out in terms of content, your input in filling in the blanks is needed and appreciated. Besides, I think it will be much more fun if we complete this project together.

Putting the KefaloniaWorld site together using authentic materials

The goal is to build an e-magazine for the English speaking world community of "Kefalonians."
The "Kefalonian e-nation" includes all those who have a relationship with the island of Kefalonia by birth, ancestry, heritage, marriage, residence, love, or inclination!
So there you have it.

And this is where you come in! In music I've always preferred bands to solo artists. All those lazy afternoons in Kefalonia, I've often found the sound of a single cicada on a tree by my window discordant or even annoying, while the noisy chatter of many of these little critters sounded like the best conducted orchestra in the world.

To get this e-magazine off the ground properly, I need the wings and buzz of many cicadas.

Kefalonian Cicada

Tell me your story

Use the comments section below or e-mail me and tell me your story.

• Tell me what you do, maybe others want to network with you. 
• Tell me how you spend your time in Kefalonia, why you keep going back, what special memories you have there. And by all means send photos to accompany your story. 
• If you are second, third + generation Kefalonian, share your family history, your experiences and tell me what you do if you wish to be included in the "Kefalonians in Focus" section. (tentative name).
• Tell me about "the first time" and about the renewal of your vows of love with the island. Recommend books, videos, etc., or a special experience you or someone you know has had that might be worth writing about and sharing with others. 
• If you engage in a hobby, art or craft involving or inspired by Kefalonia, please tell me about it. If you are seeking your Kefalonian roots, tell us your story and maybe one of your fellow readers can help you get your eureka! moment. Or if you have found your island roots, share the experience. 

In general, send anything you think has a place or should be featured on this e-magazine. (see notes below)
I struggled to think of an "incentive plan" for this call for assistance but could not come up with anything viable and with broad appeal. However, I cannot resist aiming a small bribe your way: depending on the response, I may be convinced to reveal the exact location of my gestalt rock!


notes
1. Every orchestra needs a conductor. Therefore, I will be making the final decision on the material: what goes into the e-magazine as well as how extensive the coverage of the stories chosen will be. I do believe, though, that my cherished and honest relationship with all of you on this blog entitles me to request that you trust my judgement as the head cicada!
2. Please do not spam my e-mail or comment box below with hidden commercial links, etc.
3.The cicada connection is fully attributed and credited to my favorite Kefalonian author!