Sunday Market at Pisac

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Peru | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | 5 photos

My name is Luis and I am an amateur photographer from Peru. I just spent a weekend in the Sacred Valley of Urubamba near Cuzco, in the southern Peruvian Andes. It was my first visit to this well-known region of my native country and was blown away by its traditions and the vibrancy of its colors.

I was particularly drawn to the women of Pisac during this tiny Andean village's Sunday market. These ladies, young and old, dress up in their best and most colorful clothes and adorn their hats with fresh flowers following centuries-old traditions to attend the market. They proudly flaunt their multicolored and versatile blankets tied to their backs as if they were Prada or Louis Vuitton bags. Watching them trade and barter is enthralling, as one realizes you are witnessing a lifestyle that has changed very little since Inca times.

I have lived most of my life outside Peru and have been fortunate enough to visit many places around the world therefore resulting in a love for travel and adventure. I have always loved photography, but it was only until a couple of years ago during a trip to Southern Africa that I realized I would love to attempt travel photography for a living (or at least a serious hobby) and decided to take it more seriously. Since then, I have taken a series of photography courses to develop my technique, improve my skills and train my eye. I find this is a never-ending process, and the main reason why the travel photography scholarship means such a huge deal to me.