Cusco Alley

May 5, 2018

Today’s photo is something a little special for you. It’s a rare black and white photo from me….. I just don’t produce many black and white images. But when I processed this photo 2 years ago, I liked it better this way. Then I left it sitting on my hard drive, until right now….. So you now get to see this great picture of an alley in the city center of Cusco Peru.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often. PLUS….don’t forget you can get a free gift and 10% off great Think Tank camera gear by using this link: http://bit.ly/2FVW0eg

Machu Picchu

April 7, 2018

I’ve been so lucky over my life with all the travel and wonderful destinations I’ve been able to experience. Today’s post is from our past trip to Machu Picchu in Peru. This historic site is just…… WOW!! By the way, we have some great trips planned for 2018. Some long weekends and some longer trips…. Fun!!

Have a great day.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Peru Thread

April 12, 2017

During our trip to Peru, we got a demonstration on how the local women make thread by hand from Llama and Alpaca. Honestly, it was very interesting and they make all kinds of cool things with the colorful thread. After the demonstration, I captured this photo of some thread they completed.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.

Puno Cathedral Basilica Menor

March 10, 2017

As we go into the weekend, how about a photo of some religious architecture? I took this photo during our trip to Peru. This is the Puno Cathedral Basilica Menor in Puno, Peru down on Lake Titicaca. This church was built in 1757 in an Andean Baroque architectural style. I love the architecture in these old churches, which is why I’ve visited more churches around the world then most religious people. I’m no world record holder or anything, but my total number of churches visited is pretty high.

To view a larger version, click HERE

Peru Star Trails

February 19, 2017

This is my first ever attempt of photographing star trails. As you probably know, I take hundreds (thousands, if I’m honest) photos on all our trips. I don’t process them immediately after the trip. I get bored of processing to many photos in a row from one spot. So I jump around. I’ll process 5 photos from NYC, then some from Florida, then some from Pittsburgh, etc… You get the idea. Anyway, that means sometimes is takes me a few years to process all the photos from a trip. Why did I mention all that?

Well, back during our 2015 Peru trip, Michael and I went out one night to photograph the Milky Way. The moon cycle and weather was perfect for star photography. Plus that part of the world is great for Astrophotography. I took a bunch of photos of the stars, Milky Way and the sky. While I was there, I took a series of photos to create this star trail picture. But the photos sat on my computer for almost 2 years before I processed them last night. So my first attempt at star trails took 2 years to complete. I hope you enjoy it.

By the way, the structures in the foreground are ancient Incan building (thousands of years old).

Have a great day.

To view a larger version, click here: https://500px.com/photo/199183387/star-trail-by-brook-ward?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=3695440

Peruvian Jewelry

October 2, 2016

Today’s photo is from Puno Peru on the coast of Lake Titicaca. There are handmade by a local tribe who live out on the lake. They had a number of different handcrafts for sale. These caught my eye, thus we have this photo today. Have a great Sunday.

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.

Plaza de Armas - Cusco Peru

April 9, 2016

This is a wonderful Plaza in the heart of Cusco Peru. My dad, MJ and I explored this area and many other parts of the city. I’d highly recommend it if you get a chance. Friendly people, clean, safe, great architecture and history, and cheap. Great combination!!

Cusco Street

March 8, 2016

I took this photo while my Dad, MJ and I explored the city of Cusco Peru. We hada day to wander around on our own and enjoy this beautiful city. We found all kinds of cool little streets like this one. I love it.

Machu Picchu Pano

February 29, 2016

Tonight’s photo post if from Machu Picchu again. I’ve been working my way through our Peru trip. I’ve been processing lots of photos from this trip. And I have to say, the photos remind me of what a great trip it really was. I know my dad enjoyed it as well. Anyway, here is Machu Picchu again.

Machu Picchu

February 9, 2016

Here is another great photo from our trip to Peru. This isn’t the typical view of Machu Picchu. That’s probably what I like best about it. It’s different. MJ and I explored every angle and aspect of the wonderful “must see” location.

Peruvian Door

January 30, 2016

I took this photo in Puno Peru late in the afternoon while my dad and I were walking around town. I honestly don’t remember what building this is, but I loved the door.

Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Church of the Society of Jesus)

November 15, 2015

This is the rival church to the Cusco Cathedral. Both of these churches sit near each other on the Plaza de Armas. The Jesuits constructed it in 1576 on the foundations of a palace built for an Inca ruler named Wayna Qhapaq. It’s considered one of the best examples of colonial baroque style in the Americas.

My dad, MJ and I toured the inside of this beautiful church before I took this photo. Fun day.

To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, please click the photo above.

Puno Cathedral

September 23, 2015

Every city and town in Peru had at least one big church. The larger cities had at least one big cathedral as well. Most of the churches and cathedrals are positioned in the main square of each town.

In true Peru style, the city of Puno had an old, beautiful cathedral in the main town square. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Charles Borromeo (also known as Puno Cathedral) is an Andean Baroque cathedral built in 1757.

The cathedral was always locked up until mass. So I tried my best not to interrupt the service, but capture some photos at the same time. I loved the inside of this facility, the shadows created by the lighting and the colors. I hope you like it as well.

Machu Picchu's Neighbors

September 15, 2015

Sorry I’ve been absent from the blog lately. The reason…..I was traveling to Michigan for some shipwreck scuba diving with some friends.

Anyway, tonight I have a picture from Machu Picchu. The entire abandoned city is surrounded by these amazing mountain peaks. In a weird way, the mountain peaks are neighbors to this Inca mountain top city.

Machu Picchu's Back Yard

August 4, 2015

I realize this picture is basically of nothing, but I like it. This is the backside of Machu Picchu looking down the mountain behind the back city wall. You can see numerous Inca terraces cascading down the mountain. Other that the terraces, its just a long long drop to the valley floor below.

Moray

July 29, 2015

This is an archaeological site in Peru in the Sacred Valley region near Cuzco. The elevation is around 11,500 feet at this site, so it wasn’t the highest point during our trip. This unusual Inca ruins, consists of several enormous terraced circular depressions. The largest one of the group is approximately 100 feet deep. Today, it is unclear what the purpose of this site was built by the Incas. The theory today is that the Incas used this to study the effects of different climatic conditions on crops.

Regardless of the original purpose, the site makes for a very unique location and one I am glad we had a chance to see. The picture won’t come close to really being there in person, but I hope you enjoy it.

Peruvian Market

July 23, 2015

I’ve been busy with work this week. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to post on my normal schedule and tonight’s post will be short.

So here you go…. This is a photo I took at a market in a small Peru village. From our experience during our 10-day trip, this is a very typical market for tourist to select high quality hand crafts.

Milky Way From Peru

July 20, 2015

During our trip to Peru, I had a chance to take some photos of the night sky. Luckily, the timing was right….meaning the moon cycle was perfect and it wasn’t cloudy. On top of that, the Milky Way is about 70% bigger in the southern hemisphere….but don’t ask me why.

This photo shows you about 30% of the Milky Way that was visible that night. You could see the entire arch (like a full rainbow). It was an amazing sight. Sorry I couldn’t get the entire Milky Way in my shot. It was just way to big.

By the way, the orange glow at the bottom is the city of Puno Peru in the distance, which created light pollution in my photo.

Ollantaytambo Peru

July 13, 2015

Ollantaytambo is a town and an Inca archaeological site in southern Peru about 38 miles from Cusco and is at an altitude of 9,160 feet above sea level. During the Inca Empire, this was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and the ceremonial center. During the Spanish conquest of Peru, it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, who was the leader of the Inca resistance. Today, it is a tourist attraction due to the great Inca buildings on the side and top of the mountain.

At the base of the mountain, the Ollantaytambo village is very cute. As you go up the mountain, you have to climb up and past numerous terraces that the Inca people built in the mid-15th century. And when you get to the top, the Inca temple buildings and walls are amazing. Thus they call it Temple Hill.

This picture is a 20-exposure panorama view from the top of the mountain between sets of terraces looking back at the valley with the village of Ollantaytambo in the center. This picture probably doesn’t do it justice….you’ll just have to trust me. It was an outstanding experience and view.

Me in 3D

July 12, 2015

Peru was full of extremely cool locations, people, events, geography, and experiences. One of them was my chance meeting of Antonio Mocciola. At one point, we pulled off the side of the road to stop at this scenic overlook. Per normal, I was taking a ton of photos while we were standing there. Right before we left, Anotonio showed up with this travel group. Antonio is from Milan Italy and loves photography as well. He wanted to take my picture with this cool dual camera setup that he uses to take 3D photos (see a photo of him and the dual camera setup below). Of course I agreed….. He had me stand next to my camera setup with the Andes Mountains behind me. You can also see Michael’s tripod next to me on the right. Anyway, I thought it was cool and I am sharing it here with you. So get your 3D glasses out and take a look below.

Since returning from Peru, Antonio and I have communicated a few times. And of course he sent me the photo. If you want to check out more of Antonio’s work, please visit his website. (www.laborart.it)

Kris: Note the Cubs hat I wore in your honor. It didn’t come home from South America.