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Kostas Papakotas - In the Museum Garden


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Details: This is an assembly of my photographs taken in the Veria Archaeological Museum, Greece, late in 2014.

The Story Behind the Project: Some time ago, the director of the local archaeological museum approached our photography club. Antithesis, with an idea for a joint project. We were to photograph -carte blanche- in/the museum and exhibit our photos IN the museum on the International Museum day.

We had a vague idea what to expect, and it was completely wrong! We soon found ourselves in a museum set to the contemporary style. Artifacts with precise focused lighting amidst a sea of black dark!

So how many ways are there to photograph the very same thing by a group of 17 photographers? Well, we actually found more than 17.

It was a challenge, a blessing, and a curse. Sometimes in a rapid succession of unforeseen events. But we pulled it off.

My Images: Very soon I saw a chance and I grabbed it. I was to photograph portraits of the statues redoing their lighting to my liking and experimentation. And furthermore, I was to do it -solely- with my EDC and custom flashlights, bringing two of my hobbies into one.

Soon the project become a study of the antique mastery. I have recorded a myriad transformations of that statue of Olganos. By the power of shadow, texture and its gracious lines, I have seen it metamorphosize into a kid, a Morrison-like idol, an alabaster deity and a worn fallen hero.

There was also a purpose behind my approach. That game of light, shadow and lines brought out a view of the Greek antiquities we seldom see. The view of wear and drama, in sheer antithesis with the clean(ed) purity of the ancient marble statues as they are portrayed today.

Image Processing & Technical Details: The images started as a conversion to B&W and some levels adjustments.
Then a special technique was used to bring up detail and drama. Either the blue or the red channel was duplicated as a new layer and it was then blended to the original RGB image.

Materials used where my Pentax K10D, a Sigma 28-70 EX lens, a tripod, and my Fenix L0D-CE, Rexlignt 2.0 and a custom continuous ramping-flood beam flashlights.
Finally the title comes from a Haiko by awarded poet, George Seferis

Relevant Links:
The Veria Archaeological Museum In its older form
River God Olganos
Glimpses of the new museum, the event, and most of our works
The Antithesis Photo Group FB Page


Kostas Papakotas
author website: https://www.facebook.com/ClenchedTeethPhotography/photos_albums
e-mail of author: clenchedteethphotography@yahoo.gr