10 mart. Lefkada and Fuji X-T20 – A Photography Guide to One of Greece’s Most Beautiful Islands
Before starting this article I have a confession to make.
I love Greece.
Last summer I finally managed to visit Lefkada, an island located about 1200 kilometers from Bucharest. Even though it had been on my travel list for years, I had never managed to reach it before.
When the opportunity finally appeared, I decided to drive there and spend several days exploring the island while photographing some of its famous beaches and landscapes.
Lefkada turned out to be not only a wonderful holiday destination, but also a fantastic place for landscape photography.
Understanding the Geography of Lefkada
One of the first things photographers should know about Lefkada is that the island is divided into two very different sides.
The east side of the island faces the Greek mainland and usually offers calmer waters and beautiful sunrise opportunities.
The west side faces the open Ionian Sea and is famous for dramatic cliffs, turquoise water and spectacular sunsets.
This simple geographic detail can completely change your photography strategy.
If you want sunrise photos, the eastern coast is usually the best choice.
If you want dramatic sunset light, the western coast is where you should focus your attention.
Traveling Around the Island
Even though the island is not very large, travel times can be surprisingly long.
Roads are narrow and winding, and traffic during summer can slow everything down.
For example, a distance of only 40 kilometers can easily take more than one hour and a half of driving.
Because of this, planning your photography locations in advance becomes extremely important.
Instead of trying to see everything in a single day, it is better to focus on a few locations and explore them properly.
Photography Gear Used During the Trip
This was my first major trip using the Fujifilm X-T20 and the camera performed beautifully during the entire journey.
My setup was simple and lightweight.
Camera
Fujifilm X-T20
Lenses
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4
Fujifilm XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7
The 18-55mm lens was my main lens for landscapes and beach photography.
The 50-230mm lens was mostly used when photographing windsurfers and kitesurfers on the beaches.
This lightweight travel setup made hiking and exploring the island much easier.
Pasa Beach
Pasa Beach was the first location I visited after arriving on the island.
After a long 13-hour drive I stopped here for a short break and some photography.
The beach is located on the eastern side of the island, which means it works best for sunrise photography.
When I visited it was evening, so the light was not ideal, but the rocks and boulders in the water offered interesting foreground elements for compositions.
With the right morning light, this place can produce beautiful landscape images.
Agios Ioannis Beach
If you enjoy photographing sunsets, windmills and kitesurfers, Agios Ioannis beach is one of the best places in Lefkada.
The beach is located very close to Lefkada Town, which makes it easy to access.
During the afternoon you can photograph kitesurfers riding the strong winds of the Ionian Sea.
As the sun begins to set, the abandoned windmills and the golden light create a fantastic atmosphere for landscape photography.
This location offers a perfect combination of action photography and sunset landscapes.
Kavalikefta Beach
Kavalikefta beach quickly became one of my favorite locations on the island.
A narrow road leads down to a small parking area, from where a staircase takes you to the beach.
The water color here is simply surreal.
Large rocks and boulders emerge from the turquoise water, creating powerful foreground elements for landscape photography.
Because the beach is located on the west side of the island, it is an excellent place for sunset photography.
During the golden hour the entire coastline becomes incredibly photogenic.
Kathisma Beach
Kathisma is one of the largest and most popular beaches in Lefkada.
I initially wanted to photograph a small stone arch located on the beach, but unfortunately the area was crowded and tents had been set up around the rock formation.
Even though I was not able to capture the shot I had imagined, Kathisma remains a beautiful location that can produce great sunset photographs when conditions are right.
Porto Katsiki
When people think about Lefkada, they usually think about Porto Katsiki.
This beach is featured in travel magazines and frequently appears on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The dramatic cliffs and the intense blue water of the Ionian Sea make it a spectacular place.
However, from a photographic perspective, the location of the beach makes it slightly more difficult to find unique compositions.
Despite this, Porto Katsiki remains one of the most impressive natural locations on the island.
Cape Lefkada and Doukato Lighthouse
Near Porto Katsiki you will find Cape Lefkada and the Doukato lighthouse.
This location offers many photographic possibilities because you can photograph the lighthouse from several viewpoints.
One of my favorite compositions was taken from a small hill before reaching the lighthouse.
Some adventurous photographers continue down towards the edge of the cliffs, but the terrain becomes quite dangerous.
Sometimes it is important to remember that no photograph is worth risking your safety.
Editing and Shooting Workflow
During this trip I experimented with something different.
Instead of spending hours editing RAW files, I relied mostly on JPEG images directly from the camera.
Before leaving for the trip I customized several film simulation profiles on the Fuji camera.
Most of the photographs were taken using a modified version of the Velvia profile.
Later I applied only small adjustments such as:
• slight sharpening
• minor clarity adjustments
• small exposure corrections
This simple workflow allowed me to process images very quickly.
Within minutes I could transfer the JPEGs to my phone, apply small adjustments in Lightroom Mobile and share them online.
Why the Fuji X-T20 Became My Travel Camera
After this trip the Fujifilm X-T20 quickly became my preferred travel camera.
The camera is:
• small
• lightweight
• reliable
• capable of excellent image quality
Combined with compact lenses, it creates a travel kit that is easy to carry even during long days of exploring.
For travel photography, that balance between size and performance is extremely valuable.
Final Thoughts
Lefkada is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece and a fantastic destination for photographers.
From dramatic cliffs and turquoise water to windmills and sunsets, the island offers a wide variety of photographic opportunities.
But beyond the landscapes themselves, the trip also reminded me of something important.
Photography should not turn a vacation into a stressful checklist of locations.
Sometimes the best approach is simply to slow down, enjoy the journey and photograph the places that truly inspire you.
And Lefkada is one of those places.
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