Golden Beach on Chrissi island Photo

Photographer’s Note

In my previous post (CHECK HERE, you can also read more about the island), I told you about a small exotic island, a tiny paradise, 8 miles south of my hometown, Ierapetra. Here you see, a very small part of the most popular among the many beautiful beaches of the island. It lies on the northern coast of Chrissi island and it is called "Golden Beach". The white sand is created by billions of shells, getting "rubben" for thousands of years. The first time I went there, about 25 years ago, you could still sea billions of shells, but now there are lot less, because of the visitors collecting whole bags of them during the last decades.

At that time, only a few dozen of people visited Chrissi island each day, but now, especially during August the visitors can reach up to 2.000 per day. The boats leave from Ierapetra at 10:30 and 12:30 and return at 16:00 and 17:00. Camping is prohibited (although some locals defy the prohibition and stay there from some days to some months), so you can only stay there for 5-6 hours but once you are there you have to be very careful with the sun. It burns twice, because it is reflected on the white sand. So, enjoy the crystal clear waters, but try to find some shade, too!

***In the background you can see the southern coast of Crete, and my hometown, Ierapetra.

Deepforest, TopGeo, zeca, Colombiana, dip, bema, ChrisJ, syd1946, edytungkal, gracious, bostankorkulugu, portmanndominic, giorgimer, dareco, gneufeld, Emile, stelli, lilimih33 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (36210) 2008-08-27 12:25

Hi dear Hercules,
If some one would try to describe the color of the sea here, he wouldn't be able to find correct words ! Amazing scene masterly captured.
Perfect pov and compo with nice notes. Real TE job !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

okahraman (4576) 2008-08-27 12:33

Hi hercules ;

renkler ve kadrajınız harika elinize sağlık

Önder Kahraman

lc4giala (2186) 2008-08-27 14:33

Kalispera Irakli
ta mikra aspra kymata spane poli omorfa tis yperoxes apoxrwseis tou mple tis thalassas,entypwsh mou kanei pos den yparxei anthropos mesa na kanei mpanio ...den nomizo na tous evgales exo gia tis anages tis photographisis:)
kales vouties
George

lousat (14892) 2008-08-27 14:53

Hi Hercules,i'm just back to discover the last minute travel offers on the web,i was uncertainmly between Creta or Morocco,this pis maybe will change my decision! Wonderfull colors of the sea,very impressive and nice place,my best compliments for this fanatstic shot,have a nice day,Luciano

Deepforest (8813) 2008-08-27 14:54

Hi Hercules,
Excellent capture dear friend! Good composition, nice light and amazing colourful layers of the water... but the most I like the hills in the background, they look sensationally! Nice holidays photo :o) Well done.
Best regards,
Andrzej

TopGeo (21357) 2008-08-27 15:53

Γειά σου Ηρακλή! έχεις μία πανέμορφη χρυσή πατρίδα! Πολύ καλή η απόδοση του 200 φακού στην συμπίεση και την σε επίπεδα χρωματικά μετατροπή της απόστασης!αλλά και του φίλτρου η συμμετοχή άψογη! Ελπίζω να είσαι ευχαριστημένος? από δώ και πέρα θα είναι στην σκέψη μου και στην καρδιά μου το με το γνωστό όνομα γ.....νήσι! Νάσαι καλά που μου το γνώρισες!
Φιλικά
Γεώργιος

zeca (20024) 2008-08-27 16:02

It makes me dream with Greece, Hercules. Its so beautiful! The blue tones are amazing and I love it. Excellent exposition, capturing also the sand details. I am glad to have you in my favorite's list..
Regards,
Zeca

Colombiana (2540) 2008-08-27 16:10

My Hellenic friend,

The sea’s colors are breathtaking!
Absolutely beautiful!

Warm hugs from humid Miami… Maryori :)

dip (12406) 2008-08-27 21:59

Geia sou Irakli,
apisteuta omorfes oi diakumanseis ton xromaton tis thalassas apo skouro mple se galazoprasino,oi anthropoi sto proskunio zontaneuoun tin foto,
o fotismos episis poli kalos,
Xaireto,
Dimitris.

bema (8409) 2008-08-27 22:50

Kalimera Hercules,

very fine beach capture with stunning water-colors and a very good depth and clarity..
Would like to be there..

kind regards and Jassu Bernd

hyasar (7277) 2008-08-27 23:31

Merhaba Hercules,
very nice and dreamy place. and you photographed there very good. I liked colors of sea too much. TFS.
hakan

brandstaetter (13606) 2008-08-27 23:35

Hi Hercules,
I like the clear view and the dark blue created by Meltemi...
good one !
Compliments, Christian

ChrisJ (69430) 2008-08-27 23:40

Hi Hercules

Good division of the image into horizontal thirds with wonderful color, sharpness & contrast, in this superb beachscape. Tfs!

athanvas (2341) 2008-08-27 23:43

Geia sou Hraklh
Ekpliktiki h foto sou me kalh oxitita kai ta xrwmata tis thalassas yperoxa.
Sygxaritiria!
VASILIS

syd1946 (17807) 2008-08-28 0:41

Γεια σου Ηράκλη,
Μια εντυπσιακη καλοκαιρινη φωτογραφια με απιθανα χρωματα στην θαλασσα.Σου ερχεται να τα παρατησεις ολα και να ριξεις μια βουτια στη υπεροχη αυτη παραλια.Εξαιρετικη δουλεια!

Θωμάς

edytungkal (4513) 2008-08-28 0:43

Bottom half is the best part of this picture and i like the details with so many people having fun on the beach. Maybe the background just a little bit too saturate or maybe the weather not in the best. Anyway you have a nice pov here and its a wonderful part of your hometown. Thanks Hercules....

rgds
daniel

barrufeto_77 (25593) 2008-08-28 0:44

Buenas fiera.

Estoy de vuelta pero debería ir a un sitio como el que nos presentas aquí...qué envidia. Ni se te ocurra poner cosas así mientras otros estamos en el primer día de trabajooooo.

Arggggggggggg

gracious (20017) 2008-08-28 0:56

Hello my friend Hercules,
The colour of the sea and the far distance view simply awesome in this beautiful composition!
great perspective on the beach with good sharpness, wonderful colour and details
a quality presentation always
greeting
Tony

hatti52 (12654) 2008-08-28 1:40

Hi hercules
excellent blue green combination on the sea
your Pov and depth perfect
greetings

bostankorkulugu (33328) 2008-08-28 2:16

giritli mou i am back from cyprus and have already hated being back:(... missing the sun on my face, sand on my feet, salt in my hair and the smell of the jasmines in our garden already...
this beach looks so inviting -ignoring the dust bin of course>:P-... the colour palette in the sea is a real killer...
still in girit?...

hugs

bostani

portmanndominic (2388) 2008-08-28 2:22

Hercule Geia sou

beautiful island you shot a nice post this day you have beautiful and contrasted colors good POV well manage
TFS
Filika
Dominic

carper (63968) 2008-08-28 3:18

a beauty Hercules,
marvelous shot, well composed, good contrast and a fantastic contrast, good lines in it, very good photojob, have anice evening.
gr. jaap

giorgimer (20610) 2008-08-28 4:55

Hi Hercules,

wow! What a great image! Perfect light, colors are stunning. The view of Crete in the FG adds a lot of interest.

Very well done!

Gio

dareco (17024) 2008-08-28 6:48

Wish I was there :) This beach looks great and with a fantastic view. Very pretty colors and good detail. TFS and have a great day!

gneufeld (14989) 2008-08-28 12:58

Hi Hercules,
A very fine composition here with excellent perspective over the occupied beach. Awesome colors and depth as we look to those distant hills. TFS. Gerald

kiks (5967) 2008-08-29 0:51

Wonderful place Hercules. The blue tones of the water with the mountain at the bg is just amazing.
Best regards
KIKs

Emile (19775) 2008-08-29 6:57

Hola Hércules.
Creo que el punto impresionante de tu foto si tenemos que escoger uno en especial son los magníficos tonos de mar, la verdad que son estupendos, es lo que al mirar tu foto nos llama primero la atención. El resto también es muy buena con la perspectiva de los bañistas y la profundidad de las montañas de Creta y tu ciudad Ierapetra. Tu POV y composición son muy buenos.
Buen trabajo.
Abrazos.

npecanhuk (12947) 2008-08-30 6:41

Hello Hercules!
Several layers of beauties: sand, people and their stuff, all kinds of blues and greens in the sea, mountains and sky... the result: a FANTASTIC photograph!
TFS - Congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

stelli (2939) 2008-08-31 10:59

Beautiful levels of blue and green!!! Lovely summery photograph! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

lilimih33 (9870) 2008-09-08 14:53

Hello Hercules!
Another wonderful place from your lovely country!!!
Beautiful colours and perspective!
Best regards!
Lili

Photo Information

Copyright: Hercules Milas (Cretense) (54654)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-21
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, 67mm Hoya Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/11, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Best beaches of Crete [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-08-27 12:21