A Tribute to Dinos Diamantopoulos - The Star Photographer of Greece
10 years ago Greece lost one of its best photographers - and me, my Dad.
It took me a while to write this but I wanted it to be proper.
This is a tribute to an amazing photographer and a great Dad.
The 4th of February 2008 was one of the worst days of my life - it was the day I got a call in the evening from my uncle [from my Dad's phone], while studying in Paris, to let me know that my father passed away suddenly, from a heart attack.
The line wasn't completely ok and their voices were always kind of similar so I thought it was my Dad on the phone at first. You can all imagine the horror when I realized what was going on.
My first instant thought was to enjoy a flight out of my window from the 5th floor I was living. The exact next one was my Mom - who I called. My parents were divorced, but still -it was a big shock. And for everyone actually. He was only 57 -and me only 23.
As I said at an interview I gave in Greece while working as a photographer with my own studio at the time 'To me he was just my Dad'.
But it was after he died that I realized the name, the effort, how famous he actually was and how GOOD he was... I had to go through hell with different teachers (oh yeah, 'cause I didn't wanna take over the business when HE was asking...typical brat) to understand who my Dad really was - who Dinos Diamantopoulos the Photographer was. Ok, since I was a kid I was surrounded by celebrities, politicians, actors, singers, models... I had seen him work...But I never saw him like that... Because at home he was a total DAD - Cool and modern, but still, just a Dad -to me :)
After his death I got contacted from a lot of people and I talked with plenty, and THEN I realized how appreciated he was, about him being professional, kind and talented. His funeral, even though it was about 200km from Athens, was full of people, with TV and magazine coverage. I was stunned. I was like is all that really for my Dad???
I won't get into more details about difficulties and grief. None of it can even be properly described at a post like this...
Photography is a family tradition.
It started from my great-grandpa in Minor Asia at the time [close to today's Bursa], then my grandpa took over [after coming to Greece in 1922] and then my Dad and uncle, my cousin and -of course, sooner or later- me. There was no other option for our family. Celebrity portraits was our thing -and still is, I guess, 'cause his memory will never die. I truly think so, or hope so.
My grandpa - who I never met, he died in 1982, also from a heart attack, at 64. He was found from his assistant at his studio, retouching, the next day.
He was one of the few photographers -if not the only one- in the 60s using the 'pastel' method to retouche and put color in pictures printed from negative.
They called him The Magician of Retouching.
Because he started as a retoucher at my grandpa's and then uncle's studio. Then, slowly he started doing photoshoots himself, until he met my mom who helped him open his own studio and the rest is history...
I'm attaching some (well a lot of) pictures on this post, but you can read more about him and see many more at http://www.dinosdiamantopoulos.com/
He was famous in Greece, within photography circles and not only, but I think it's important here for everyone who didn't know him to see his work, and understand where I truly come from.
The Nikon issue and the International issue
The first DSLR I got was of course from him and it was an Olympus. But I wasn't into photography at the time (silly me) so I think eventually he took it back... :(
When he died I was left with all of his equipment which was Nikon.
I don't have anything against other brands but of course when all your lenses (and cameras too) are Nikon, you go Nikon all the way - for people who might asking themselves why so 'stuck' to it ;)
My Dad though, as talented and professional as he was, unlike me, never worked abroad. He did have some international collaborations (as you'll see in the pictures) but his base was always Greece - the nice Greece, before the crisis and all. He was working with theatres, night clubs, politician campaigns, TV channels and magazines - rarely with individuals.
I decided to leave Greece, not only to expand my photography knowledge but also not to be know only as 'his daughter'. I don't know if it was the right move, time will tell.
An incredible family man
Even though he wanted his family to last [WITH the wife as he used to say haha...], I think he was an amazing family man even though this didn't happen. A super cool Dad, a friend, with whom I had an intense, passionate relationship full of love [and drama - yes, we were that kind haha!].
I don't wanna get into more personal stuff 'cause I'm sure they'll sound boring, but feel free to ask me more about him -personally or professionally. Those last 10 years he's all I talk about anyway -even though he was never sure I love him that much.
Well, Dad, I did - and I still do. And still miss the Dark Room smell God dammit.
Here are some of 'our' songs. For the first 3 years he died I couldn't listen to them, generally 80s. But now I can, 'cause I miss him. The first is the soundtrack of our relationship and the artist, Phil Collins, a special favorite for us, having been to a concert of his in Athens (via YouTube):
And last but not least.......BECAUSE HE WAS!
I get sad because I still love him and miss him a lot. But on top of that, I feel sad because I think Greece lost a talent way too soon...
Now time to enjoy some of his work! As you will see he loved Black and White Photography and most of the pictures below are from his one and only book published -contact me if interested ;)
Vangelis, composer
Sting, singer
Nikos Aliagas, journalist in France
Nana Mouschouri, singer in France
Goran Bregovic,musician
Yiannis Vouros, actor
Yorgo Voyiantzis, actor
Stamatis Spanoudakis, composer
Nikos Sergianopoulos, actor
Dionysis Savvopoulos, singer and composer
Sakis Rouvas, singer and show man
Melina Merkouri, actress and politician - Public figure
Yiannis Parios, singer
Yorgos Dalaras, singer
Nonica Galinea, actress
Agni Baltsa, opera singer
Milva, Italian singer
Marinella, singer
Yorgos Lyras, plastic surgeon
Marinella and Antonis Remos, singers
Elena Kountoura, model and politician
Kostas Kenteris, athlete
Konstantinos Kazakos, actor
Kariofyllia Karampeti, actress
Yorgos Margaritis, singer
Marios Fragkoulis, opera singer
Yorgos Kimoulis, actor - here as Cyrano de Bergerac
Koralia Karanti, actress
Tzeni Mpalatsinou,model
Freddy Germanos, journalist and writer
Andreas Voutsinas, actor and theater director
Aliki Vougiouklaki, the Star actress of Greece
Aliki Vougiouklaki with Danis Katranidis, actors
Spyros Fokas, actor
Petros Filippidis, actor
Despina Vandi, singer and show woman
Viky Koulianou, model
Notis Sfakianakis, singer
Yiannis Pretenteris, journalist
Yorgos Marinos, actor, singer and showman
Konstantinos Markoulakis, actor
''To every face there is a beautiful side. This side I always want to bring to light'' - Dinos Diamantopoulos
Thanks for reading! And as I always say, whatever happens, don't forget to smile!
Yours
MeanMommy
![follow_meanmommy33.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcStroCZyRyZ7dUDMBoPuGRB1ZcBKBrrJFxzRYH3ZZRGZ/follow_meanmommy33.gif)
Oh, my heart! I lost my dad in 2001, and while he wasn't a pro like your INCREDIBLY talented father, he definitely had a knack for photography, and gave me my first camera when I was a teen. This was an amazingly beautiful tribute to him, dear lady.
via GIPHY
GOT THE LOVE ahahahaha :D
You and your gifs always making me smile !!! :)))
What camera did you Dad give you?
Thanks for your kind words - I really tried my best for his 10year anniversary. I want this to exist online forever <3
I'm so glad!
My dad gave me a Nikon, which is why I'll always come down on the side of Nikon in any camera war...LOL
You're very welcome, and what an awesome idea! I may have to do something like this myself on the blockchain (already did on my WP blog). hugs
Wow. Incredibly touching tribute. 💓 I can see the trail of talent. Your father and now you. He lives on in every photo you take in the best way.
That is a very kind thing to say, even though I think I don't even have one tenth of his talent and of course cannot compare my experience to his... But he always saw that something in me, so maybe he was right after all! :)
Oh he's good Loop...but genes don't make you, it's the talent and the eye. He knew you've love him as much, more so when he left. Even now.
I can go with him to Phil Collin's or Toto's😍😍
I really hope he did know...
I do believe that they do...and did while alive. Our guilt make us think that they didn't. Let go Loop, he knew. Be forgiving to yourself too☺
These shots are amazing. He must have been an exceptional photographer. I am so sorry for your loss @meanmommy33 :(
He was... :/
It's ok, it's been a while by now... But still, it's not something you forget...You just get used to it and live with the idea... :(
very nice history my friend @meanmommy i like post
thanks...
Beautiful photos and a very touching post, thank you for sharing x
Thank you girl :)
Wow!:)
Brief but to the point hehehe !!! Thank you @giantbear !!! I think I might write some photography guide/s soon to share as steemiteducation - I always keep it in mind but I end up writing about different stuff instead :/
I'm sorry to hear you had to lose your father at such a young age. Heartbreaking really. It is amazing how our loved ones influence us though. It's a gift you have his blood in your body <3
I love the parts of his work where he plays the most with shapes, like the pictures of Tzeni Mpalatsinou, Kariofyllia Karampeti, and Elena Kountoura. They really attracted my eye :-)
Thank you girl :) Indeed it was heartbreaking :/
It seems like we have the same eye hehe 'cause Mpalatsinou's pic is my very favorite! :D
Ha, that's amazing! <3
Wow! What an amazing man, and amazing work. RIP to a great photographer. This story really touched me because I'm a fellow freelance photographer, and I have a daughter who I don't think realizes how famous I am localy. Anyway, those images were absolutely stunning! He was gone too soon, I imagine the work he could have done if given the opportunity to continue but I guess he's in heaven now creating divine images for Angels.
Stay strong and keep making him proud - Much Love - Lionel
Awwww you are so sweet ..... thank you for that...... <3
Well, he did have a 30year career [let alone another 20 with my grandpa before that] to show, but he definitely had more to give, especially with the nee technology he was always much into... oh well :(
I hope your daughter realizes it soon and gets in the business with you. I did the mistake of not having him as a teacher [even though he would be super strict and with no patience ahaha] and instead other people taught me phography, BUT I was always observing, so I think being in a studio -and a dark room- since I was 4, I guess left something in me for sure!!!
HUGS <3
What a beautiful tribute. I am so sorry that you lost your beloved Dad too soon. He was clearly a talented and passionate man that anyone would be lucky to look up to.
As a photographer he clearly understood how to convey his subject's personality in a clean, striking portrait. Amazing work. What a legacy to leave behind!
I am loving your blog. Cheers!
Thank you deary!
He was exceptional indeed - he knew how to properly use the light and for him the most important part as he was always saying was the 'form' - the 'shape'. Some of his photos I still have no idea how he managed... <3
Thank you for passing by and liking this post! :)