Throne of Water — Limited Edition Fine Art Print from Lake Kerkini, Greece

This photograph holds a special place for me. It was the first image that made me want to become a wildlife photographer.

I was at Lake Kerkini in northern Greece, on my very first attempt at photographing animals. Until then, wildlife—and especially birds—were unfamiliar territory for me. I had no real experience and no clear expectations. What unfolded in front of me that cold winter morning changed everything. It reshaped how I see photography and, in many ways, how I see life.

From the first moment, I felt a deep connection with the Dalmatian pelicans. The connection was immediate. The scene took place during the blue hour, early in the morning. The light was soft and restrained. The lake was completely still, reflecting the sky like glass. We were moving slowly by boat, and the pelicans followed us quietly, close and unguarded, as if we were sharing the same silence.

When I reviewed the image on the back of the camera, I knew I had captured something truly special. The deep blue tones of the sky and the water, the precise moment of the pelican’s landing, the reflection breaking the surface—everything aligned. Light, composition, and moment came together in a way that could not be planned or repeated. 

Later, I struggled with the decision of whether to keep the photograph in color or convert it to black and white. Both versions felt equally strong. In the end, I chose black and white, because it gives the image a lasting presence in the fine art print. By removing color, the photograph steps outside of time. Attention shifts fully to form, light, and emotion—elements that do not age and do not rely on trends or seasons.

This image was made with my first Sony camera—an entry-level crop sensor body—and a simple Tokina wide-angle lens. Completely unconventional for wildlife photography, especially at a time when I believed that strong images required long, expensive telephoto lenses.

That experience taught me something I have never forgotten. A strong photograph does not begin with expensive gear. It begins with seeing. Equipment can support the process, but it never replaces artistic vision. What matters most is the photographer’s eye—the ability to recognize when something meaningful is unfolding and to respond with honesty.

Throne of Water remains a reminder of that lesson. It brings me back to the moment I understood why I love to photograph.