Photo Essay: Travels In Bolivia and Peru

02/26/10  Print This Post Print This Post    6 Comments      Written by Irina Zhorov
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A photographer’s travels in Bolivia and Peru, working on a documentary project about miners.

In 2006 and 2007 I traveled around South America with a heavy typewriter and a bag of film, intermittently working and settling in places I liked.

I came back with piles of papers and negatives, a strange Spanish accent, and a slew of projects to do. One of these which I’m finally getting around to now is a photo documentary project about the miners of Potosi, Bolivia. A place of superlatives both exciting and terrifying – highest city in the world, used to be richest city in the world, biggest silver deposit, poorest city in Bolivia now – Potosi is a historical wonder struggling to stay afloat both in reality and in our collective memories.

I want to tell its story as it stands now, keeping in mind its historical context and its uncertain future. But I need some help! Please help fund this project and get prints in exchange: you can find more information at Kickstarter.com. Below are photos from my last trip.

Women looking at street.

1. Two women look on during an homage to La Paz in Tarija, Bolivia. A giant military procession was led by a small Virgin Mary statuette dressed in camouflage.

Woman La Paz

2.A woman looks on during the Homage to La Paz, Tarija, Bolivia

Miner Potosi.

3.A miner rests outside his shaft at the Cerro Rico mine, in Potosi, Bolivia. Although there are rails, most ore-filled trolleys have to be pushed along them manually.

Kids Sunset.

4.Kids play during sunset in Potosi, Bolivia.

Man bus.

5.A man talks to a departing bus (not seen) in front one of the ubiquitous snack stands found throughout Bolivia.

Mother's Day.

6.During Mother’s Day in Cusco, Peru, children put on shows for the extended family’s mothers during a cookout.

Andres Chileno.

7.Andres, from Chile, in front of a restaurant in La Paz, Bolivia.

Hostel Uyuni.

8.A hostel in Uyuni, Bolivia.

Bridge Peru.

9.Every year this bridge, hanging over the Apurimac River, in Peru, is rebuilt during a festival dedicated to it. The technique and location is the same as those used by the Incas.

Pray Pilgrimage.

10.A boy stops to pray at one of the stations of the cross at a pilgrimage festival held at the base of Mount Ausangate

People Horses.

11.Horses and people mingle in the camp that sits at the base of Mount Ausangate, during a pilgrimage festival.

Machu Picchu.

12.Jose Gabriel, from Lima, visits Machu Picchu for the first time. Peru.

Girl Orphanage.

13.A girl who attended a non-profit funded school, in Cusco, Peru.


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About the Author

Irina Zhorov

Photographer, writer, geologist, passionate coffee drinker. Currently trying to get to Bolivia to do all of the above and start a camera distribution, to boot. My photos can be found at phillycrow.com and my project at kickstarter.com.

6 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Hal Amen replied on February 26, 2010

    Great shots. I think I’ve stood right where Andres is. Didn’t look as cool, though.

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  • Irina replied on February 27, 2010

    ha, it’s hard to look as cool as andres!
    and thanks!

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  • Simone replied on March 1, 2010

    Incredible shots — love the black and white. And love the photo of the girl with the flower around her head. So still, yet it so off guard and real.

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  • Alaina replied on March 3, 2010

    Beautiful photos. I love the grainy quality of the shots of the children playing in the sunset.

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  • Ana replied on March 5, 2010

    Amazing photography. I love the 10th pic.

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