The Mani through My Lenses
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The work of local photographer, Richard Garvey-Williams
I decided to give photography a go as a second career a few years after my wife and I first moved to the Mani back in 2002. I had always enjoyed photography, but, inspired by the dramatic landscapes and picturesque villages that surround us here, I decided to embrace the digital era and bought a load of quality new camera gear. I also had a good computer set up and installed, and was soon relishing, the necessary processing software.
I immersed myself in this new passion in my life and, over the years, I started to amass a sizable portfolio of work. I also made regular submissions to stock agencies, which in that era proved quite lucrative. I also had a couple of successful exhibitions in a gallery in Kardamyli and regularly sold prints and cards of my photos.
I have always had a love and fascination for the natural world, no doubt influenced by my childhood years being spent in East Africa. So my photography naturally tends to fall into the genres of landscape, wildlife and nature. I like to think that my photography helps others also to enjoy and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. There was always an artistic leaning in my family, so I do also fall at times into the realms of fine art photography with some quite minimalist or abstract work. So, if I go for a wander around the streets and alleyways of a Greek village, with camera in hand, of course, I also relish capturing the architectural features I encounter and some of the other peculiarities I spot.
Mani Coastline
Rindomo Gorge
The income my photography was generating certainly seemed promising, so when we had to move back to the UK in 2010 for various reasons, I continued to make a go of it. Devon, where we settled for the next 9 years, also served me well as it also has a lot to offer with the dramatic landscapes of Dartmoor National Park and its beautiful coasts. I had a couple of exhibitions locally and also won a couple of wildlife photography competitions. I also regularly wrote articles for Outdoor Photography magazine and was also contracted to write an instructional book on photography, which I entitled Mastering Composition in Photography. It did extremely well, and opened further doors to me, including a contract to write another book on Wildlife Photography. I used the royalties advance payment to fund a couple of amazing trips to photograph animals, photographs of which I thought it would be important to include in the book. My trip to Alaska to photograph grizzly bears certainly proved to be an amazing and memorable experience. I also ventured to Namibia, and later, in subsequent years, lead a couple of photographic safaris there and in Tanzania.
Kambos
Mantis Religiosa
As many of you will know, there is, however, something about the Mani that once it’s got a hold of you, won’t let you go. With changing life circumstances, we decided to venture back here again in 2019 and have been living here full-time again since. I continue to relish my outings with the camera and enjoy sharing my work through my website but also through Facebook and Instagram. So, perhaps you’d like to take your time to look through my website to enjoy my photographs from here in Greece, but also from elsewhere in the world. The various portfolios are listed under the 2 tabs for prints – Limited Edition Prints and Other Prints.
All images are available for purchase as prints for those who would like one or more to decorate their walls. Most can be printed very large (eg A1) if required. I use a printing company with outlets in the UK and in Germany, so deliveries can easily be arranged across Europe or even further afield. There are also options to purchase them already mounted and framed. Simply contact me, if interested, and I will let you know size options and prices. I also have some selections available for easy, direct on-line purchase in the Sales/Shop page under ‘Prints’, with links listed there.
Wonderful pictures, is your book on Mastering compisition still available?
Hello, Jeroen. I am sorry for the delay in replying to your question about my Mastering Composition book. Yes, it is still available and it is a new edition now with some updates. The title is the same. You can see the cover on my website – http://www.richardgarveywilliams.com. Many thanks for your comment. Richard