El Condor de Machu Picchu Photo

Photographer’s Note

I tried to avoid the typical travel brochure images of Machu Picchu. This photo, taken from the top of Huayna Picchu, the peak behind Machu Picchu, illustrates the symbolic shape of the entire exposed Inca settlement as a condor (you may need to use some imagination here). The walk up this steep peak was exhausting after 4 days trekking but it certainly sifts away the bumbag toting day trippers and affords some extraordinary views of the surrounding landscape.

jean11-3, SamB, jaywalker, abulafia, alonsote, vhemmati has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sined (4483) 2006-12-16 9:45

very impressive bird view !

Karma (985) 2006-12-16 9:56

Hi richard
This gives me the butterflies.
Good compostion and POV.
TFS
Carmelo

Luan (15935) 2006-12-16 9:59

Spectacular picture Richard, very unusual PoV, I love it. This is a magical place.
Luan

mortijo (12286) 2006-12-16 10:14

Thank you for climbing there and posting this picture. A rather unusual view of the place.

guillaumejm (9118) 2006-12-16 10:20

Hello,
Nice picture and human element brings something intersting I thik (not only the colour of the shirt!). Very nice "vertical" perspective. I like the colours and sharpness too.
Best regards
JMarc

deud (1841) 2006-12-16 10:20

unusual pov! intresting and breathtaking. tfs

pady (4800) 2006-12-16 11:03

IMpressive view and quite very different of usual pictures of this place.
Good composition
Cheers
Pierre-André

jean11-3 (2799) 2006-12-16 11:27

An amazing view,thanks for sharing it.
Very clear and sharp.
The shadow on the mountainside adds to the effect.
Regards Jean

faraujo (1305) 2006-12-16 17:44

Hi Richard
What a view!
The choice for this PoV is great!
Thanks for sharing
Filipe

rushfan2112 (2965) 2006-12-16 23:19

Now that's what I call an alternative and original view of a place that's become iconic over recent years. It looks like a fairly straight record shot (no signs of manipulation) but incredibly beautiful and breathtaking. Extremely well done for being there and capturing this. Paul.

SamB (1948) 2006-12-17 0:28

Nice work, Richard, you managed to bring a different perspective to the area with this one, and that is certainly applaudable. The perspective is nice, and the human presence makes it much more personal than the typical landscape. Perhaps it would have been better to wait for the two people at the bottom to walk out of the frame or just to omit them with a higher angle.

Thanks!
sam

emilbo (9455) 2006-12-18 9:38

Bonjour Richard,
Excellente image de ce coin du Pérou que j'aimerais bien visiter un jour. Belle vue et bonne composition. La note est excellente.
Bravo pour cette belle photo,
Emilius

bigboroboy (1009) 2006-12-19 20:22 [Comment]

Show Comment

abulafia (4802) 2006-12-22 3:23

Hi Richard
I fail to see how it looks like a condor, but never the less a remarkable view.
Thanks for taking the last climb so we all can enjoy this different perspective
Harry

alonsote (244) 2006-12-25 1:47

Hi Richard,

When I went to Peru I wanted to take the same photo, unfortunately It was not possible to me to climb up the Wayna Picchu. The composition of this picture is very nice, however I think the saturation should be increased. I made a workshop. Hope u like it.

Best regards,
ALonso

paura (38626) 2006-12-25 20:48

Richard,
Amazinf composition here. The POV is superb as the colors.

Very interesting shot.

Paulo

nika (0) 2006-12-29 18:25

Stop uploading such terrific pictures or i run the risk of burning my keyboard using all the best calificatives for your work and remain awake all the night browsing your gallery :))

Fantastic picture that despite nonsenses as i ve just written , leaves me without words , breathless

The picture 10 over 10

All the best !!

ccooper (836) 2006-12-31 17:04

Richard,
I like the unique perspective you have chosen. I am still trying to imagine a condor. Well done overall.

jaywalker (12190) 2007-01-02 18:10

Hi Richard, The POV to beat all POVs not for the faint hearted, great composition & a superb picture, kind regards Wilson.

batalay (21014) 2007-01-08 3:06

Hello Richard,

I've seen photos of many a climber standing or sitting on a precipice, but none quite as dramatic as this — looking down on Machu Picchu from the top of Huayna Picchu. This image can be used as a veritable map of he ancient site. Beautifully composed, effectively exposed image. I see also that you've covered a deal of he Souther Hemisphere, certainly each of the countries in South America. Finally, you've give us a succinct, but informative note -- supporting the best spirit of Trekearth.

I see that you use the same camera and lens that I do. What a wonderful piece of equipment!

Regards from Virginia,
Bulent

Benedict (7062) 2007-01-19 0:40

hi richard,
95.5 % a marvel! i would have cropped the 2 guys on the bottom!
benedict

jramos (485) 2007-02-01 23:45