Arequipa

Tell me, O Muse, of my travels to Arequipa in the land of Peru when September's harvest season arrived in the year two thousand and sixteen. There I found myself drawn to capturing the vibrant street scenes of that bustling city, as a hunter is drawn to the tracks of his prey. I adopted a candid approach, shooting mostly from the hip with my camera's silent shutter—that quiet mechanism that makes no sound—as to avoid drawing attention, moving as stealthily as a thief in the night.
Man sitting on bench in park, reading newspaper, trees and cars in background, black and white photograph.
Though street photography had not previously been my favored art, yet I found it to be a fascinating way to document the everyday life of that vibrant community, preserving moments as a bard preserves the tales of his people in song and verse.
Woman in hat, leaning against stone wall, selling flowers from basket at her feet.
Woman sitting against wall on street, holding bread, with a bag of items beside her.
Man in white cap and sweater leaning against brick wall, display of keychains nearby.
A worker sweeping the street in front of an ornate building with arches and balconies.
Three men sitting on a park bench, two reading, one with his hands in his lap, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Man in hat and sweater sitting on bench outside, feeding birds, sign "SALIDA" above.
Woman standing beside street food cart with bottles and containers, black and white photo.
Traffic officer directing cars in urban setting with colonial architecture.
Woman selling potatoes from a basket, cowboy hat man standing with police officer on street.
Silhouette of man riding a decorated motorcycle at night on brick road, another figure walking in background.
Man in black shirt sitting on bench with hands clasped, surrounded by other seated individuals.
Homeless person sitting against a wall, covering their face with a hat, holding a white object in their lap.
Elderly person wearing a hat and scarf, sitting against a stone wall with bags nearby.
Old woman with hat sitting against stone wall, holding a small object.
Two people riding donkeys on a cobblestone street, with a weathered building in the background.
Woman in sunglasses on a bench, using her phone, wearing ripped jeans and boots, against a graffitied wall.
Person exiting stone building doorway, carrying a bag, standing on cobblestone street, black and white.