Peru
This portfolio consists of photographs taken on a trip to Peru including Lima, Cuzco (the historical Inca capital of Peru), and Machu Picchu (an Inca retreat, sometimes compared to the U.S. President’s Camp David). However, rather than taking the usual tourist train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, we traveled by bus through the highlands, stopping at various villages, meeting people, drinking Coca tea, and photographing. The area was controlled by the Inca, and it and the Spanish conquistadors influence continues to be felt. For those who care about history, the Inca controlled a vast area including parts of Chile, most of Peru, and parts of Ecuador during the 16th century until Pizarro arrived in 1534 and simply wiped out the Inca leadership in return from 10% of all the stolen gold he sent to the Spanish king.
There are no shortage of photographs of Machu Picchu. But few reveal the spiritual sense of this site. It is extremely difficult to creatively photograph Machu Picchu other than “documenting” it. My hope is that my images begin to explore the mystery of this place. I found that color interfered with its mystery and resorted to my default black & white approach.
My first visit was late on afternoon, after most tourists had left to meet the train back to Cuzco. My second visit was very early the next morning before almost anyone showed up. I had to disassemble my tripod and hide it in my back pack since tripods equal professional photographer in the minds of the guards, requiring a $400 fee. Once I began photographing the security radios began to crackle. But I was left alone to contemplate what I was looking at before I clicked the shutter the rest of the morning.
Most of the people in this portfolio are ancestors of the Inca. They are beautiful and welcoming. One day, perhaps I can return and spend a night or two time one or two villages rather than the few hours I was allowed.
There are many more photographs in the portfolio beyond what is shown here (as is true of the other portfolios).
David Speltz
February, 2010
