View From Oia

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been, Oia does not disappoint. Yes, it is crowded, but the crowds rarely interfere with the incredible views of the surrounding crater and bay below. I've added a mask and a crumpled paper texture.

Red Door

This image was taken on the island of Santorini. I liked the bright red door against the backdrop of the equally bright blue sky and whitewashed stucco. I've added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations to enhance the textured look of the stucco.

Dreams of Olympia

These columns are remains of the vast complex at ancient Olympia in Greece, site of the first Olympic games. Textures from Shadowhouse Creations and Kerstin Frank have been added.

Santorini Hillside

Here's another view of this gorgeous island with its stark white buildings set against an impossibly blue sea.

Sea View Door

A freestanding door with a view from the heights of Oia on Santorini is accentuated with the addition of an elaborate frame texture by rubyblossom.

Door Knocker

I saw this interesting door knocker in Santorini on a brightly painted blue door. Wanting to experiment and give it a different look, I added textures by bocaccino and Shadowhouse Creations.

Here's the original photo.

View from Oia

This is the lofty view from the village of Oia, high above the blue waters of the Aegean and the deep caldera of Santorini. To the left are the remains of old fortifications, now a favorite viewpoint, especially at sunset.

I've added two textures from Shadowhouse Creations.

Docked in Katakolon

The small, colorful town at the port of Katakolon sits at the edge of the Ionian Sea. It hosts large cruise ships and smaller vessels and is the primary port for visiting ancient Olympia.

I've added a texture by pareeerica.

Greek Island Contrast

This image depicts two Greek island scenes. The one on the left was taken in Oia, on Santorini and the one on the right was taken on Mykonos. I used adjustment levels to create what I like to call my "fantasy mode" and then I pasted the photos into a frame template.

Blue Gate

This weathered blue metal gate off a street in Santorini caught my eye with its elaborate scrollwork and Greek key motif. I've added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations.

Sphinx

Based on a photo by Steve Bohn

This charming sphinx is in the Olympia Archeological Museum in Greece. In Greek tradition, the sphinx was part lion, part bird and part woman, while the Egyptian sphinxes were portrayed as male.

I've added a base texture from Shadowhouse Creations along with other textures.

Portion of the Parthenon

The highlight of our recent visit to Athens was climbing up the many stairs to tne acropolis and the Parthenon. Although missing the frieze above its columns, it is still a very striking building.

Babulas Taverna

Babulas Taverna is one of the first eating establishments we saw as we arrived in Mykonos. The red fishing boat makes it highly visible, especially when you see the octopus, one of their specialties, strung up and drying above the boat.

I've added a postcard texture from Shadowhouse Creations.

Mykonos Cat

Walking through the narrow streets of Mykonos, I turned a corner and found this cat sleeping peacefully on a worn old chair near some discarded trash. I couldn't resist taking his photo.

Porch of the Maidens

The Porch of the Caryatids is part of the Erechtheion, an ancient Greek temple atop the Acropolis in Athens. The temple was built around 400 BC. The portico is adorned with six draped female figures (caryatids) which act as pillar supports. Five of the original caryatids are now in the Athens Acropolis Museum and the sixth is in the British Museum.

I've added a couple of textures from Shadowhouse Creations.

Writ in Gold

This image was created from a photo that Travel Partner took in the Athens Archeological Museum of a bronze head from Delos sculpted around 80 B.C.

I've added textures from Shadowhouse Creations and les brumes, as well as a wrinkled paper texture to achieve a gold modeling effect. The original photo of the head is below.

Photo by Steve Bohn

Sitting on Top of the World

As I was exploring the narrow streets of Oia, I spied this couple reading and enjoying a magnificent view from their balcony high above the submerged caldera of Santorini. It doesn't get much better than this, does it?

I've added a texture by les brumes.

House on Santorini

This lovely house is located in Oia on the beautiful island of Santorini, in the Greek Cyclades island group. We spent a fun day on Santorini, walking around Oia and Thira and visiting a winery before taking the funicular back down to the port to return to our cruise ship. I wouldn't mind going back and spending a few days there someday.

I've used adjustment layers to enhance the color and contrast.

Mykonos Windmill

Most of the iconic windmills of Mykonos were built by the Venetians in the 16th century and primarily used to grind wheat. There are currently 16 windmills on the island. Some of them have been restored and used as dwellings. One has been converted to a museum.

I've added some adjustment layers to enhance the colors and brightness.