Climbers of the holy rocks, a photo from Trikala, Thessaly

Photographer's Note

Apart from the huge cultural, religious and natural interest of Meteora, it is also one of the best regions in Greece for climbing. More than 50 rocky towers are waiting for those who like this sport. The history of climbing in this place dates back from the ancient times, when the ihnabitants of ancient Aeginio found shelter here, in order to avoid attacks from bandits.

Even Athanasios Meteoritis, the monk who was the founder of Megalo (Great) Meteoro, and as a consenquence the founder of this monastic comunity, can be considered a climber.

*If you want to read more about the history of climbing at Meteora, just check THIS PAGE.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Climbing the rocks that have a monastery on top, is stricly PROHIBITED, and everyone respects this rule.

*** 5 MORE PHOTOS FROM METEORA***:

Shadows of Meteora reflected
Varlaam monastery from the Great Meteoro
Faith moving mountains
NATURE: a sculptor or a painter?
Meteora panorama

molla, belido, rigoletto, syd1946, siolaw, funrider, dareco, andante, Power, azaf1, kdialyna, dip, tehanu_f, portmanndominic, stelli, Truja, gneufeld, emka, steliosk, bostankorkulugu, edytungkal, zeca, ifanik, patdeph, Didi, AyseGurel, clio, Bruno40, CRATEOS, doubay, pboehringer, Ramdan, enedimd, frieda, vodomerka, emad, No_One, nickbiker, rsabhijith, kordinator has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

hyasar (7775) 2007-12-06 4:40

Hi Hercules,

this shot easily can be used in Outdoor magazines. Very impressive POV and composition. amazing contrast of sizes; 2 people and giant mount.

congratulations,
Hakan

smarcell (19965) 2007-12-06 4:43

The man in red is a bright spot of color over the green.
A nice composition.
Stefano

belido (19934) 2007-12-06 4:46

Hi Hercules,

excellent shot of a great nature's presentation. The guys on the top look like ants surrounded by wonders. Beautifully well composed. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

mesutilgim (0) 2007-12-06 4:46

Hello dear Hercules, my dear friend,
Very nice pov and compo. Good sharpness. Specially the red jacket of the climber, a good eyecatcher !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

rigoletto (34279) 2007-12-06 4:49

WoW Irakli!
This is amazing!
I mean, of course it is a wonderful place with unique features, but how the climbers make this one a powerful shot, is incredible!
Very very good. I am jealous ;)
Deno

baba_flies (8829) 2007-12-06 4:50

Hello Hercules ... pretty impressive the two and I must admit I rather sit on my chair :) I like that you left them very small. This gives us an idea where they "hang" and in what dangerous position they probably are. Spectacular landscape and an interesting note going with it. Have a great afternoon, Barbara.

syd1946 (1167) 2007-12-06 4:57

Γεια χαρα Ηρακλή,
Απιστευτα εντυπωσιακη η σημερινη σου φωτογραφια!Οι αναριχητες ενα απιστευτο μπονους στους ακομη πιο εντυπσιακους βραχους των Μετεωρων.Συγχαρητηρια!

Θωμάς

siolaw (38294) 2007-12-06 4:58

Iassou Hercules,
Excellent vertical framing without sky giving us this wonderful BG, and nice scene on the FG with climber and rocks... Textures and colors are very well rendered.
Ta leme!
Laurent

dimitrisni (56) 2007-12-06 5:02

yia su Irakli

katapliktiki fotografia
tromeri stigmi.
Dimitris Ni

stamatis (2565) 2007-12-06 5:19

geia sou Hraklh kalhmera.

POanemorfh synthesh
me kataplhktika xrwmata , oi duo figoures einai ola ta lefta sthn fwtografia sou.

filika Stamatis

funrider (18) 2007-12-06 5:21

Hi Hercules,
this is an excellent photograph with a beautiful contrast and great depth of field producing almost 3D effect! I like the detail of the mossy rocks in the forground and the smoothness of the walls in the background. By including climbers in the frame you managed to show the vastness of space.
And on top of it, you submitted a very interesting note.

Congratulations,
Przemek

dareco (17136) 2007-12-06 5:34

Another really fantastic image!! You have really sparked my interest in this area. I must go there someday!! Once again your colors and lighting are wonderful!! TFS

andante (7092) 2007-12-06 6:12

Kalimera, Hercules,
One thing I really like of your photography, is the fact that it makes me say: "I want to be there!" Amazing colors, amazing composition.

Thanks for sharing, estimado amigo.
Saludos,
Enrique

partha (14023) 2007-12-06 6:23

The colour looks so natural. Amazing composition with great sense of perspective. The people at the left coner is very interesting.
Regards.
partha

rminkow (1556) 2007-12-06 7:22

Hi Hercules..beautiful photograph of a beautiful place. You did a great job with the composition, exposure and details...great work.

Roger

batalay (41261) 2007-12-06 7:26

Hell dear Hercules,

This is one of the finest of Meteora shots I've seen as an "action shot." The choice of vantage point, the colors, the scale... makes it entirely memorable. About eight years ago, before I had a good digital camera, I took a photo, then last year I submitted it to TE as Vertical Climb. Look in the crevices of the cliff.

As I wrote separately, I will be on Crystal cruise #8319, visiting Katakolon on August 15 and Mykonos on August 16. Will you be anywhere in the vicinity?

Warm regards,

Bulent

GilbertB (12258) 2007-12-06 7:27

Salut Hercules, c'est haut !!!!
Trиs belle vue.
Amitiйs.
Gilbert

AROBN54 (11475) 2007-12-06 7:45

Oh, my gosh! Hercules,
what an awe-inspiring shot! The size and scale is just mind boggling and the climbers are wonderful for emphasizing that. I like the way the soft light catches spots in the background and the contrast of that red jacket with all the earthy tones. Man, what a view that is. Just outstanding!! Thansk much and kindest regards,
Shelly

masquerade (0) 2007-12-06 9:26

I am filled with awe!
I think the most impressive part is the people in this chaotic background...Thank God they are wearing red...!Great note.
Take care
m

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-12-06 9:42

hello Hercules
what could i say, it's a winning composition, nothing to improve, just a word: amazing :D
regards
jo

TopGeo (38220) 2007-12-06 10:03

Γειά σου Ηρακλή, Μου άρεσε η λήψη, Ο όγκος των Μετεόρων και η αντίθεση με τους αναρριχητάς κάνουν την σύνθεση ενδιαφέρουσα. Καταπληκτική η διαύγεια η καθαρότητα του βάθους και η οξύτητα.
Φιλικά
Γεώργιος

fotohadi (2967) 2007-12-06 10:29

Hi Hercules,excellent vertical framing.Very impressive POV....Well done Hadi

kdialyna (3148) 2007-12-06 10:30

Πολύ εντυπωσιακή η λήψη σου Ηρακλή.
Φοβερά τα βουνά, προκαλούν δέος.
Αυτό που μου αρέσει ιδιαίτερα στην σύνθεση σου είναι ότι συμπεριέλαβες το ανθρώπινο στοιχείο, που σε σύγκριση με τους τριγύρω ορεινούς όγκους, φαίνεται το πόσο μικροί και αδύναμοι είμαστε μέσα στην φύση.
Εκπληκτικές οι χρωματικές διαβαθμίσεις κάνου ακόμα πιο ενδιαφέρουσα την φωτογραφία σου.
Χαιρετώ
Κώστας

dip (21408) 2007-12-06 11:31

Fantastiki sunthesi Irakli!
Me tetoies fotografies sto periodiko sou,tha kaneis kai to National Geographic na sas zileuei!
Xairetismous,
Dimitris.

tehanu_f (6896) 2007-12-06 11:53

Wow! Mr. Blue Hour, this is truly amazing. All your Meteora shots are superb. I must see this place. The sense of scale thanks to the tiny figures is great. Very very well done.
Best wishes.
Fusun

markstaples (15670) 2007-12-06 11:57

What an impressive but scary view. With my fear of heights there's no way I could go anywhere near this! The scale is immense, as signalled by the climbers and the textures are very visible thanks to the sharpness of your work.
Best wishes
Mark

portmanndominic (2400) 2007-12-06 13:34

Hercule geia sou

splendid shot with a great POV like your others pictures of this country , yours colours are beautiful
very well done
TFS
Dominic

stelli (3009) 2007-12-06 13:38

An amazing scene you have captured there! It is breathtaking for those of us that never tried rock climbing! Excellent sharpness and colors! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

Truja (4953) 2007-12-06 13:55

Bona nit Hercules,
gran espectбculo de la naturaleza, imagen de gran vйrtigo, gran profundidad, es asombroso!!
Hermosos los colores naturales, sobrios, dandola nota de contraste esos dos escaladores "rojos". Impresionante paisaje!!

Salut, Jordi

delkoo (68) 2007-12-06 13:57

hi hercules
i thought it was forbiden to climb meteora, having read your note , i know now, the prohibition is only for the one with monastery,
A delightful view, Excellent composition and perfect moment to capture such place and such scene.
ta leme
didier

gneufeld (15890) 2007-12-06 14:26

Hi Hercules,
Yikes, that looks like a precarious position for this climber - looks as though he has ropes? A splendid shot, but were you on an equally dangerous place? Good details and fine composition. TFS. Gerald

emka (158744) 2007-12-06 14:57

Hi Cretense

It is incredible! Those tiny colourful figures on huge rocks. Fantastic composition and colours.

Thanks for sharing

regards

Malgorzata

steliosk (4802) 2007-12-06 14:57

Kati toso mikro pou kanei th fwtografia sou toso megalh.
Hraklh sygxarhthria, 8aumasio to mege8os ton ogkwn sth sygekrimenh skhnh, 8umizei ligo national geographic, tous skier stis alpeis me ton hlio kontra kai ta ixnh pisw tous...
Anhkei pragmatika se periodiko h sygekrimenh kai kaneis de tolma na pei "aaa mia wraia perigrafikh fwtografioula" alla se douleia anwtatou epipedou kai sobarou xaraxthra.

Se sygxairw kai pali file mou

Filika
Stelios

ioannis58 (94) 2007-12-06 15:04

Μπραβο Ηρακλη
τετοιες φωτογραφιες
θελουμε να βλεπουμε.
Τελεια ειναι.

φιλικα Ιωαννης

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2007-12-06 15:45

stunning one giritli... i like the vertical format with the diagonal division... and the "red" adds so much to the charm... this is the best one form meteora, landscapewise...

take care...

korkut

edytungkal (4551) 2007-12-06 18:02

Wow..adding the people in this giant mountain view really a great idea, its really help us to imagine the scale. Fantastic pov Hercules, very well done. tfs

daniel

zeca (19762) 2007-12-06 19:08

Wow! Its a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing this! Its really an amazing view! Very impressive and very well captured, with excellent quality! Great work!
Regards,
Zeca

Graal (103040) 2007-12-07 0:11

Hi Hercules,
fantastic landscape, fine composition with the "human accent", good reportage from the famous place. I like it a lot.
Gr., Aleksander

azaf1 (15931) 2007-12-07 0:39

Irakli kalispera ki apo mena, me apeirous epainous.
Den exo ksanadei tetoiou eidous fvtografia! Apithano kadrarisma kai h figoura ston vraxo monadiki
Evge
Argiris

ifanik (21679) 2007-12-07 1:01

Entyposiakh eikona file moy
Poly wraio kadro me ta kokkina anthropakia na apoteloyn to kerasaki sthn toyrta
Fwtografia diafhmishs gia to athlima ths anarixishs
Xairetw
Nikos

kiks (12805) 2007-12-07 4:34

Hi Hercules, i almost get Vertigo from this one. What a luck that the climbers had red jackets. It increases the effect against all that green. Beautiful composition.
TFS
KIKs

kibele66 (3087) 2007-12-07 7:43

Hello Hercules,
Impressive and exciting too. I just hold my breath even while looking the photo. Mossy rocks must be very dangerous but they are very photogenic for the photographing.
After my today's very secure photo, this one is an adrenaline rusher. Excellent POV. Thanks
Sibel

patdeph (35750) 2007-12-07 9:46

hello Hercules
this is an impressive landscape!I'm thinking that you were on such a slope to do this photo!I've vertigo only looking at it!The quality is excellent and shows very well the texture of the rocks.I like the vertical frame,and the red man contrasting with the green!Excellent done!
Pascale

Didi (61589) 2007-12-07 10:00

Hello Hercules
Whooo ! What a dangerous position.
It's a very fantastic place, very interesting difference of contrast with background.
What a chance for thoose who are living close to this place.
Cheers.

AyseGurel (574) 2007-12-07 12:59

Hello;
"If you are not living on the edge;you are taking up too much space"..this shot remind me that quote...red spot is eyecatching..
TFS
ayse

clio (27961) 2007-12-07 14:37

Geia sou Hirakli,
A point of view really impressing on the relief of Meteors. These two colored climbers are rather incredible in this set (one moment I thought that it was the monks who had modernized them held to reach more easily the monastery (no, I make fun! But why not?)
Have a nice WE
Diane

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-12-07 18:00

Maravillosa foto hercules,
La composicion semi circular, los tonos verdes, la nitidez, la impresionante profunidad de campo (a solo f5.6!!) hacen de esta foto una maravilla!!
muy buen trabajo!
saludos y feliz fin de semana
Jorge

coco (30439) 2007-12-07 19:44

Kalimera Hercules.

Una composiciуn brutal que nos hace a todos un poco mбs pequeсos.
El uso de la profundidad y el fondo son tambiйn muy buenos.

Ta leme, file mou.

CRATEOS (7278) 2007-12-09 2:38

ore si Hra...ti na sxoliaso tora me les ore file....diladi ti perimenis na grapso..???eeeee..esi ftes poy travas teties foto..ftexti..aaaa..ftexti

nf

carper (96) 2007-12-09 11:13

wauw, you deserve the 100 here Hercules,
I have high sicknes, fantastic pov and what a depth and quality in the shot, very good photojob, super job,have a nice evening Hercules.
gr. jaap

molla (7129) 2007-12-10 4:22

Kalimera Hercules,
you showing up a spectacular Greece quite far away from the postcardish cykladian white and blue. this is general for a lot of your pictures. this one so many have said so much of good things about so I just agree.
Cheers //Molla

doubay (674) 2007-12-10 6:57

Gia su Irakli!
Monadiki ke ligo tromaktiki stigmi. Poli kali fotografia me exeretiki gonia lipsis ke kadrarisma.
Chereto
Andreas

emilbo (22616) 2007-12-14 15:17

Allф Hercules!
Trиs impressionante cette photo de tous ces rochers, une belle oruvre de la nature. Excellente composition avec le rocher en diagonal et bon rendu des couleurs.. Les grimpeurs donnent de la vie а la photo.
Fйlicitations!... et bonne fin de semaine,
Emilius

pboehringer (770) 2007-12-18 17:41

Hercules, so you are a climber too? The only person that I know that climbed one of the rocks with a monastery on top was Mr. Bond. James Bond! Lucky you that you got the person in a red coat. That makes it pop ut like crazy.
Cheers, Peter

enedimd (1532) 2007-12-29 10:26

Hi Hercules,
Amazing and beautiful view with interesting giant rocks, human figures and great POV. Congrats my dear friend.
Emir Nedim

PS : Happy new Year, I wish and hope 2008 will be a very good year for you and all the world.

Shane_Childs (43) 2012-05-07 0:00

Hi Hercules,
This image is both captivating and inspiring, Stunning colours, textures, shapes and POV.
TFS
Shane

No_One (4) 2012-06-26 7:14

Hi Hercules,
Fantastic image, the sense of height is breathtaking! You have positioned the climbers perfectly to show the amazing height here. Nicely done, and thanks for sharing.
Best wishes
Noel

deberek (138) 2012-07-23 11:15

Hallo

Great photo. I would like to copy it, enlarge and hang over my bed. One of best pictures of nature I ever seen.
Tfs
Greetings
Peter

hlndelhi (27) 2012-08-21 4:08

Great climbing spot!
Very nice colors, light...
I love picture of amazing landscape with tiny people catching your eye.

What's more, I'm supprised to see such a landscape un Greece, now I wana go there. Thanks for sharing

Haymotion (2761) 2012-10-02 11:38

Wouah!!!
Fnatastic shot!,
Composition exceptionnelle et trиs bien rйalisй
Bravo
Vince

goutero (1313) 2012-12-21 11:28

Impressive, world of rocks!

cananyasar (351) 2013-03-19 0:19

woow ılike ..thanks

Parandoush (60) 2013-09-05 12:57

salam (hi)
Beautiful and vivid picture of the nature.
regard.

Kaisa71 (228) 2014-01-28 5:55

Wow....what a shot! I think ALL have been said here already, and I just enjoy the feeling of the photo. A human being really is small in huge world as we can see here.
Cheers, Kaisa

ManishaJain (524) 2014-03-09 9:40

Hi Hercules

Such a nicely composed shot with great sharpness and dof.

Manisha

Praetzer (209) 2015-03-21 15:58

Amazing.
Without the person the picture would already be excellent from a compo and tone view.
Now it's TOP.
Congrats.
Alfred

dekanski (9419) 2015-12-28 11:55

Spectacular !!!!

wetmarbel (223) 2016-05-10 3:22

what a brave Climbers thay are , fantastic view also hair-raising
I have some changes in brightness/contrast to correct darkness in left, also a bit crop to obtain the Rule of thirds .
I think it was Effective.

[workshop] [compare]

kordinator (8738) 2016-11-13 8:33

Hello Hercules
Today just have a need to comment photos that are just to my taste, visually very beautiful works, among which is this your photo.
Kind regards