Sunlight and Film: A Few Days in Rhodes with Kodak Gold 200

Rhodes has a way of making you slow down. Maybe it’s the rhythm of the waves rolling against the medieval walls of the Old Town, or the way the sun seems to linger a little longer here, as if it doesn’t want to leave either. When I visited this summer, I packed my camera and a few rolls of Kodak Gold 200, a film that’s been my companion on countless trips.

It felt fitting to bring Gold to Greece — a film that thrives on sunlight, and an island that seems made of it.

Why Kodak Gold Still Wins My Heart

Kodak Gold has always been a bit of a nostalgic favorite. There’s something unmistakably familiar about its tones — warm, rich, and forgiving in the best possible way. It doesn’t chase perfection; it celebrates memory.

In Rhodes, that character came alive. The film’s golden palette made the honey-colored stone of the Old Town glow, while the sea took on that classic Kodak blue — slightly soft, slightly dreamy, but deeply satisfying. Even the midday harshness, which can sometimes wash out digital shots, transformed into a hazy, cinematic shimmer on Gold 200.

Light and Colour in the Dodecanese

Rhodes offers a natural playground for film photography. The light here is sharp but gentle, and the colours are saturated without feeling artificial. Kodak Gold 200 handled it all beautifully.

Afternoon beach shots at St George Bay and Ialyssos delivered that sun-kissed warmth Kodak Gold is known for — golden sand, turquoise water, and just a touch of vintage softness.

Evening light in Old Town Rhodes was probably my favourite — the sun dipping low behind sand coloured buildings, casting everything in a buttery glow. On Gold 200, it felt like a frame from an old travel postcard.

Shooting Notes

I rated the rolls at box speed (ISO 200) and trusted the film’s wide latitude to handle contrasty scenes. Even in the harsh Greek sun, it held highlights well, and shadows kept a pleasant warmth.

The Timeless Appeal

Every time I shoot Kodak Gold 200, I’m reminded why I keep coming back to it. It’s not the most technical or precise film — and that’s the point. It captures not just what I saw, but how it felt to be there.

Rhodes, with its timeless beauty and endless light, felt like the perfect match. Together, the island and the film created images that feel both nostalgic and alive — a reminder that sometimes, the simplest tools capture the richest stories.