Exploring the Bolivian Altiplano

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Saturday, October 16, 2010 | flickr photos

Sprawling across southern Bolivia, the barren deserts of the altiplano stand in stark contrast to the lush and vibrant cloud forests that run the length of the cordillera. The beauty of this near-lifeless terrain is alien; the rolling dunes constantly swept clean by frigid winds haunt the mind like some half-remembered Martian dreamscape. Our jeep bumps down grooved tracks carved into the sand by decades of tourists, but despite these expansive tracks, there is a constant awareness of the ephemeral nature of our presence. A train graveyard abuts the desert, the hulking husks of steam engines a testament to the inevitability of decay and erosion. We are mere witnesses, offered a brief glimpse into a world which we could never inhabit with permanence. On a brief walk across the plain, I reflect on a comment by our guide; just weeks ago the land we traverse was buried beneath feet of snow. There is constant change in this lifeless climate, but it seems an ancient ritual, the desert will look no different a year from now.
In photographing these landscapes I seek to capture the surreal nature of a land often described as hallucinogenic. Photography for me has always been a passion and hobby, but this scholarship would allow me to go beyond that, honing my technical skills, and perhaps paving the way for future professional work. As a college student I have a hunger to learn. Under the tutelage of a professional I believe I’d further my ability to share my enchantment with the mysteries and eccentricities of the world with others. I will share my photographs and insights with the world online (e.g. my own photography site, your website, and others) and on the Oberlin College campus. The benefits of living and learning in Bhutan will likely affect my entire life.