Stop number 3 on my Central America reunion tour was Guatemala, which was my favourite country the first time I visited.
The truth is that when people used to ask me to list my favourite destinations in the world I would always say Guatemala, but I think I started to forget why.
After spending a week back here the reasons have all come racing back to me. I love the history of this country, it is so deep that it almost seems too incredible to have really happened. I love the people who are so friendly, caring, helpful and always willing to share a smile and a laugh. And of course I love the scenery.
This photo of Lake Atitlan, taken from the banks of Panajachel, exemplifies the power of Guatemala’s natural setting. Three volcanoes pierce through the waters of historical Lago Atitlan and form an impressive backdrop. As far as country destinations are concerned Guatemala has as much to offer as any country in the region. I hope you enjoy the photo, I’ll be coming back with an article about Panajachel and Lake Atitlan when I have a little more free time.
How I Made This Photo of Lake Atitlan
Again, when taking photos any sort of landscapes you should be working within “the golden hours” of around sunrise and sunset.
I have gotten to the point where I don’t even look at a landscape during midday. I can’t tell you how many times midday I’ve taken a photo of a landscape that made my jaw drop, but then the photo just looked dull.
This photo of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala was shot about 30 minutes after sunset which is usually my favourite light. I shot it on a tripod with a long exposure to smooth the water, giving the image a sense of peace and calm. Quite honestly, the difference between professional looking travel photos and snapshots is basically the use of a tripod. Those who are willing to pack their tripods around the world, or at lease seek out stabilizing devices, will have every advantage in the world. This shot would not have been possible without my tripod.
For the photographers with an insatiable curiosity, this photo of Lake Atitlan was taken on a Canon 60d with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens at 18mm, with an exposure of 25 seconds at f/16 (Iso 100).