The second largest city in Peru, Arequipa, may actually be the most photogenic. Sure, Cusco is full of images waiting to be had. It is full of old building and colourfully dressed people willing to pose for a couple pictures in exchange for a couple dollars. However, there is so much more in terms of variety in Arequipa. The city houses one of the most beautiful plazas and cathedrals in all of South America (check out a photo of Arequipa’s plaza here). It is also home to the Santa Catalina Monastery which just begs for photos to be taken. Besides the beauty of the city itself Arequipa is guarded by a series of beautiful volcanoes including the one pictured below: Chachani Volcano.
The Shot
This photo of Chachani Volcano exemplifies every single reason why we photograph during the golden hours of the day (around sunrise and sunset). Of course it means getting up a little bit early, and sometimes being a little bit late for dinner, but this is the time of day that magic comes alive. This is the time of day where clouds fill with colour, and mountains (and volcanoes) glow in deep oranges and reds. This is when the sun’s harsh rays don’t beat out the colour out of landscapes. And this is the time of day where motion can be easily captured. If this exact same photo taken at noon there would have been hazy – basically colourless – mountains, dull landscape colours, and a bridge full of ugly frozen cars. Pack your tripod and get out at the golden hours and I’m sure you’ll see a difference in your photos.