Field in the Mountains of Peru

Posted on September 24th, 2015 by

Scenic Beauty

There are jaw dropping views in Peru. Even when the clouds blanket the landscape in fog, the place is beautiful. When the sun comes out…be prepared to be in awe. I was never quite sure when we were at high elevation and when we had descended into a valley, but this area was full of farm fields. I am not entirely sure what they grew, but it was likely the giant kernel corn they have in Peru. Oh so tasty and what a site this field makes!

Field in the Mountains of Peru
Field in the Mountains of Peru

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/9
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 4 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1000
  • Shutter speed: 1/800s
  • Title: Field in the Mountains of Peru

Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu

Posted on September 21st, 2015 by

Hotel Train

We woke up early the morning we went to visit Machu Picchu. We had a wonderful breakfast at the Tambo del Inka hotel in Urubamba. The thing was, it wasn’t THAT early because the hotel has it’s own Peru Rail train station to Aguas Calientes, the town that rests at the foot of Machu Picchu. We honestly felt a bit spoiled, but at the same time, Machu Picchu is a journey. Be sure to plan your rest stops and departures carefully. Tambo del Inka and their private train station made everything super easy!

Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu
Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 4 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 17mm
  • ISO: 2500
  • Shutter speed: 1/160s
  • Title: Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu

A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside

Posted on September 17th, 2015 by

Please Spay and Neuter Your Pets

I would say more photos of the people of Peru, but I thought today I would talk about the DOGS of Peru. I have never seen so many free roaming dogs in all my time on this Earth as during our visit to Peru. Since they seem to all be free roaming, they appear to also be free to mate. It brings me to an important public service announcement. Please spay and neuter your pets!

A Good Hard Look

This man was looking out over the field on the outskirts of Cusco. I only caught two of the three or four dogs that were following him around. It wasn’t that cold in Peru, but it was winter and we were at 11,000+ feet so it seemed like everyone local was bundled up WAY more then the 65 degree temperature mandated. Can I just say…I love all the hats in Peru!

A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside
A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 3 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/1600s
  • Title: A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside

Peruvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco

Posted on September 14th, 2015 by

Photographing People

I don’t photograph people. When I do it seems forced, but while driving through Peru from Cusco to our hotel in Urubabma I was shooting out the car widow. I was trying to get a feel for this poor part of Cusco we were driving through. I had my camera up, we stopped and this woman looked right at me…Click.

I don’t photograph people, but this accidental photograph feels like much of my time in Peru. I see a lifetime in her glance. Every time I look, I seem to get lost in my own feelings. It’s hard to say how I feel about the very different places in the world that we occupy, but I know the perspective I have found in travel makes me grateful for the things I have.

I don’t photograph people. What do those eyes say to you?

Peruvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco
Peruvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 3 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 24mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/1000s
  • Title: Purvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco

Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China

Posted on September 10th, 2015 by

Unknown Purpose

It is said the monk who built Lingyin temple came to the mountain and knew he must build a monastery there. The guide said nobody was sure why, but I know. In all the chaos of people, the noise, the wild energies without purpose, you can feel it there…You can feel the peace of the soul of the world. It is different than Sedona, but I know why so many Native tribes were called to that place as well. The soul of the world is present, all around, IN all things, IS all things. I believe there are places in the world where the vail is thinner, peace is deep in the Earth at Lingyin. One only needs to open up and begin to FEEL, to know that monks calling.

Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China
Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 1 July, 2015
  • Focal length: 31mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/250s
  • Title: Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China

Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China

Posted on September 7th, 2015 by

Two Worlds

Chinese gardens are dizzying places full of zigzag paths, raised stairs, many, many buildings…it all leads to confusion. Their path madness is said to bewilder evil spirits who must travel in a straight line. I must have a lot in common with these evil spirits. Most of the time I am confused if I have visited a particular area of Yuyuan Garden. I have been there several times and each I have forced myself to surrender to the chaos and just let myself be…to flow though the place.

Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China
Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 2 July, 2015
  • Focal length: 20mm
  • ISO: 640
  • Shutter speed: 1/320s
  • Title: Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China.psd

Guardian at Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai China

Posted on September 3rd, 2015 by

Ancient Guard

This dog, lion or spirit guards (with its companion flanking the other side) one of the entrances to Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai. You see these statues all over China guarding places from evil spirits or marauding bandits. I always grab a shot of their fierceness and love trying to find new ways to see them when processing.

Guardian at Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai China
Guardian at Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai China

Photo Technical Info

I Heart Shanghai

Posted on August 31st, 2015 by

I ♥ SH

Pudong and The Bund feel a bit like a circus. Not because there are hawkers at every turn (there are not), but because of the massive numbers of people gawking at Pudong. You literally wade through people to get to an open viewing spot. Often you have to wait for a viewing spot, though if you just get away from the main stairs you will own gawking will be much easier. Once you are at the rivers edge, you are greeted with thew awesome site that is Pudong, if the Ringling Bros. were architects, they would be proud.

I Heart Shanghai
I Heart Shanghai

Photo Technical Info

Walking Around Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech

Posted on August 27th, 2015 by

Beauty of the Desert

I don’t think until my travels this year to Morocco and Arizona did I fully realize the beauty of the desert. What from a far seems barren and lifeless is minimalism and essence, pure form. It is a place teaming with life, if you only bother to look. To survive you have to adapt and be strong, but there is a pureness to the place, an elegance.

I wasn’t allowed in inside Koutoubia Mosque, but I was of course allowed to walk around the grounds. It’s a HUGE structure seemingly in the middle of the old city, and the Minaret is one of the tallest things around, so you always seem to be drawn to the Mosque.

Walking Around Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech
Walking Around Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech

Photo Technical Info

Street Art in Chinatown, NYC

Posted on August 24th, 2015 by

Finding A New York State of Mind

I took a trip to New York City last week. It was a busy week and I didn’t have much time to photograph (despite lugging my camera everywhere I went). Business took me though Chinatown many times during my four day visit and one the last day I was struck by this scene. I probably walked by five or six times, but only after 4 days did I actually SEE this great street art. Why do we let the busyness of life keep us from seeing the beauty of life?

Street Art in Chinatown, NYC
Street Art in Chinatown, NYC

Photo Technical Info