New Perspectives

La Paz and How Experimentation Redefines My Connection to this City

One of the things I love the most about photography is its infinite range of possibilities, especially when we step out of our comfort zones and try new techniques. Since moving to La Paz, a week ago (although most of the time sick), I’ve been experimenting with a different approach: black and white photography, using a zoom lens instead of my usual prime, and incorporating a flash. This shift, though scary, feels quite exciting as it changes how I approach scenes, especially when using the flash. No wonder why, but I become much more noticeable, and I don’t have the same ease in working the scene when I’m flashing people. It’s understandable; I would feel a bit annoyed if someone flashed me repeatedly. Now, I often adopt a “hit and run” approach, getting just a couple of shots max before someone gets annoyed by the light.

One of the most interesting aspects of this shift has been moving from colour to black and white. Colour often defines the mood of a place, and in many cities, it’s vital for capturing the energy and character of a scene. However, La Paz offers a different rhythm and texture. The intense play of light and shadow across its rugged, steep streets and mountainous views invites me to explore a monochromatic approach. Black and white feels truer to the raw and dry spirit of La Paz—a city of high altitude and tough beauty, where life can be hard, only meant for those most resilient people. No wonder why people here seem so proud, It’s already an achievement to live and thrive so close to heaven.

Switching to a zoom lens has also been a surprising adjustment. Typically, I favour a prime lens for its simplicity. Yet with a zoom, I can capture a broader perspective, as I can in an easier way compress the scenes to give distant elements more importance and presence. While I usually use colour to express the context of a place, here a zoom lens serves a similar purpose but in a totally different way. Here, I feel the call to emphasize the overwhelming depth of this place and its never-ending levels.

Using a flash on the streets is another daring yet fitting shift. The flash cuts through the city’s dramatic lighting, isolating subjects and enhancing the intensity of the scenes. In La Paz, where daylight and shadows alternate sharply, the flash helps me fill in the gaps and capture hidden details and textures, emphasizing those fleeting elements that define this city’s spirit.

Exploring these new techniques reminds me why trying different styles in street photography is so essential. Photography, at its core, is about interpreting reality, and I believe every city deserves its own lens and approach.

In La Paz, black and white photography, a zoom lens, and the use of flash allow me to connect more deeply with the city’s essence and portray it authentically. Here, I am definitely more of a documentary photographer than a traditional street photographer with a fixed style, as I’m letting the city direct my approach rather than imposing my vision onto it.

I prefer the idea of being adaptable; it’s not about me in the end, but about this place and its essence. And I’m willing to follow or accept whatever this city suggests me to do.

Each city is a lesson.

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