Upon the arrival of Antonis Engrafou in Kerala, an Indian state renowned for its natural beauty, he found himself aboard a boat, gently navigating the renowned backwaters of Kochi. A tropical place full of coconut trees in every sight, and cities along the coastline, surrounded by the backwaters that are fed by the Arabian Sea and rivers from across Kerala.
Antonis Engrafou: "In this photographic series spanning seven days of exploration, my aim was to capture the essence of Kerala through its distinct features: the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu, the iconic fisherman’s of Kerala, the oyster farmers in the backwaters and the coconut climbers.
Typically, I travel light, armed only with minimal gear: a camera bag, a compact black backdrop (crafted from velvet fabric), and my trusty Siros 800L paired with a Octabox 75. This is the equipment I mostly use and it defines the style I want to create behind any photo series.
However, on the eve of my departure, I decided to add the broncolor Move 1200 L equipped with the MobiLED flash head and the impressive Para 88 modifier, eager to explore their potential in enhancing my creative vision.
As a portrait photographer simplicity is key to my approach. With just my camera and a single light source, I strive to capture the raw emotions and authentic expressions of my subjects.
The Para 88 offered me a new dimension of creative possibilities, sculpting light in a way that imbued my images with a captivating depth and dimensionality. Meanwhile, the Siros 800L proved to be a reliable companion, unfaltering in its performance amidst the challenging shooting conditions, from the glaring tropical sun to the verdant forests and marshlands.
In each photograph of this series, I sought to convey the unique charm and character of Kerala, allowing each image to serve as a testament to the timeless beauty of this enchanting region."
