

Nea Chora, Crete 2019. (Aris Kamarotos)



Nea Chora, Crete 2019. (Aris Kamarotos)

For many people around the world and here at home, summer is a time to take a reprieve from everyday life. With temperatures pushing the mercury upward, many of us head to the beach, where we can let loose, grab a bathing suit and enjoy the soothing coolness of water, spending days lazing and decompressing. The beach is a popular getaway all over. For as long as we can remember, it has been linked inextricably to our notions of summer break. And that includes the people taking to the sandy banks of the beaches in Greece. As summer is winding down, In Sight thought it would be a great idea to preserve some of that precious downtime that is slipping away by taking a look at the work of Greek photographer Aris Kamarotos. Kamarotos has been photographing beach culture in Greece for a couple of years.

Kamarotos started photographing as a young child, but it wasn’t until he was about 18 that he realized a camera could do more than just capture moments. Observing light and composition became a game for Kamarotos, and he became enamored with how an image could “speak” depending on its composition. In a day and age in which many people’s preferred method for making images is digitally and with a phone, Kamarotos’s work is notable because he still uses film. He prefers this method, because it allows him to step back from the scene before he shoots, trying to synchronize his eye with his emotions.

In Kamarotos’s “Breath of Salt” series, mundane beach scenes turn borderline surreal. His quirky eye patiently observes until the right image materializes. With the summer days waning, the languid postures in his work feel relatable. The calm and relaxing rhythm that beachgoers get lulled into during the late afternoon sun makes them seem unaware that they are even being photographed. Instead, they are caught in those blissful moments on the beach that we all wish we could make last a little longer.

You can follow along with Kamarotos on his Instagram @ariskamarotos and see more of his work on his website, here.



Preveli, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Floisvos, Athens 2019. (Aris Kamarotos)



Nea Chora, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Tsapi, Peloponnesus 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Elafonisi, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Nea Chora, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Nea Chora, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Elafonisi, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Elafonisi, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)



Nea Chora, Crete 2018. (Aris Kamarotos)

In Sight is The Washington Post’s photography blog for visual narrative. This platform showcases compelling and diverse imagery from staff and freelance photographers, news agencies and archives. If you are interested in submitting a story to In Sight, please complete this form.

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