La Paz, Bolivia is one of my favourite cities in the world.
Yes, it is dirty, it is noisy at times and, yes, sometimes it can look like a completely mess. The truth is though that La Paz reminds me of nowhere else in the world that I’ve ever been. It is unique and raw, it is full of life, even if at times that life seems to be running without a rhyme or reason.
The beauty of La Paz rests beyond the steep cobbled streets, the colourfully dressed men and women selling everything from batteries to bananas and the carefully carved colonial architecture. The beauty of La Paz is its vibrant heart that somehow allows the city’s body to operate without a head. Moreover, the capital of Bolivia has one of the most beautiful views of any in the South America. I think that this photo of La Paz shows off that extraordinary character that so many fall in love with.
The Photograph of La Paz
I’m going to tell you a secret that is invaluable in getting great photos of a location. The simple trick is to walk around the city on the first day, get a feel for the destination and at some point stop into a gift shop.
Why?
To check out the postcards. The postcards sold will fill your head with creativity and will also give you a good idea of where to photograph. The first time I was in La Paz I went into a gift shop on the witches market and saw this view. I asked the girl at the counter where it was taken from, I then went and shot this very photo of La Paz using that postcard as a template for my discovery. It’s not copying, it’s just good research. You might also want to go onto google images for some ideas.