First Peak Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

After walking the Inca Trail for three days, waking up at 3:30 a.m., arriving at Inkipunku (the Gate of the Sun) around 5:30, the sun came up, but the sky was full of clouds. We waited patiently, and then, all of a sudden, the clouds parted, and there it was -- Macchu Picchu, the ancient Inca city.

Two notes: (1) I was reluctant at first to post this photo because it is such a standard view of a very famous place, but I was suprised to see that there was only one small shot of Macchu Picchu on the site, so I decided to go ahead. (2) I cropped the origninal on all sides.

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Critiques | Translate

orme (6746) 2003-09-27 11:58

A lovely photo. I have not seen the 'whole' city from this view before. Thank you for sharing it. The clouds and shadow add mystery. The sunlight highlights the stone and grassy areas beautifully. Personally I would crop more of the clouds away at the top, to 'raise' the stature of the pyramid.

dsidwell (9745) 2003-09-27 12:06

I like the clouds in this shot! The light on the buildings seems just a bit harsh, though. Nice point of view. It's fun to see alternative photos of this famous place.

bodinux (359) 2003-09-27 20:38

Well I have seen some shots of Macchu Picchu, but none like this one. Thanks for sharing it.
The left bottom side is really dark (which I find distractive), but I don't know if it's even possible to correct it.

I like the city appearing between two parallel lines (white clouds and dark portion). I think also that croping the top part of the clouds would bring more balance in the picture and increase the attention on the city itself.

Thanks for getting up early ;)

Motrem (2392) 2003-09-27 21:40

I so like this photo which I see only of the fire there. Thank you for your note and to have decided to make it to us share. The composition is very well made and the fog which gets up lets see a magnificent place.
Moi, j'aime tellement cette photo que je n'y vois que du feu. Merci pour votre note et d'avoir décidé de nous la faire partager. La composition est très bien faite et le brouillard qui se lève laisse voir un endroit merveilleux.

greg (2835) 2003-09-28 17:10

I like this shot, with the clouds and the dark shadow. I agree with orme - less cloud would be better. I made a WS as I might do it.

[workshop] [compare]

iamxa (2824) 2003-11-06 8:05

Magic atmosphere. And nice photo. What a wonderful moment arrive to Inti Punku. Congratulations for trek and photo.

DuFrank (150) 2004-10-10 2:28

Nothing standard about this shot at all, Mimi! It's a great view, seeing the city in the sunlight, the clouds just reveiling it like it's a new discovery again. The shadow on the hillside in the leftcorner gives a great sense of depth in the picture. Very well done!

gren4 (603) 2005-04-18 21:32

For someone who hasn't been yet I cannot say that I tire of seeing photos of this place and the important thing is to make your mark on the photo with your own style so no two are completely identical and this one is certainly an interesting and a view that I have never seen before.thanx

rutti (249) 2005-06-23 4:51

I agree with the other people, this shot is rally cool. I've seen thousands of pictures of MP and this rates among the top! One commenter thought that the very dark bottom left part was distracting but I don't agree. It frames the picture and moves your eyes towards the center I think.