Single Photo: Machu Picchu

The “Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu” as it now seems to be called, was lost to history until it was re-discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, then later by me in 2005 when I made this image! Although it’s the “standard photo” overlooking the site, it was noteworthy for me for a couple of reasons.

To get there I had taken a train from Cusco. The city sits in a bowl like valley and many changes in direction of travel are made as the train climbs out, often alarmingly close to buildings. Then it’s a trip mostly alongside the Urubamba River. It may not be correct but it’s my recollection that the train terminates at Aguas Calientes. Then it’s a climb of about 1200ft, very steeply up to Machu Picchu. And when I say very steeply I mean nearly vertical! That takes about an hour and a half. The photo above is really the first “proper” view from the path, as one descends down through the terraces to the centre.

Here’s me on the spot the image was made back in 2005! I can’t believe it’s 20 years ago!! It was made with the Canon 20D and the standard kit lens which was the 18-55mm. I made a few exposures – other than a few tests here and there, it’s the only image I’ve ever made in RAW! (Life is too short!). It was exposed at f9 at 250th sec, 200iso, you can guess how I know this!!