The profile of Paximadia islands stands against the pastel-colored sky at sunset over the Libyan Sea

This minimalist photograph captures the magic of sunset over the Libyan Sea, the portion of Mediterranean separating Crete from Africa. The Paximadia islands, two small uninhabited islets, stand as dark silhouettes against a sky fading from pink to purple, from orange to yellow, in a palette of pastel colors of extraordinary delicacy. The sea, calm and dark in backlight, barely reflects the last lights of day. These islands, visible from the southern coast of Crete, are according to Greek mythology the place where the goddess Leto gave birth to the twins Apollo and Artemis. The essential composition of the image, with the vast sky dominating the scene, conveys a sense of peace and contemplation typical of Cretan sunsets.

Paximadia, sunset, Libyan Sea, Crete, islands, pastel sky, minimalism