Fishermen in Paracas

Fishermen in El Chaco harbor, Paracas, Peru. I photographed them during my time on the bay, as their small boat moved across the calm water in front of the fishing fleet.

What I liked most was how relaxed and open the moment felt. Several of the men looked over and smiled as they passed, and that gave the frame a direct, human feel without making it look staged. The bright clothes stood out against the pale sky and the muted fishing boats behind them, which helped separate the boat from the busy harbor background.

This was taken from the water near the main harbor at El Chaco, with the working boats lined up behind them and their reflections breaking softly across the surface. The light was flat and overcast, which worked well for the color in the scene. It kept the reds, blues, and greens clean without harsh shadows getting in the way. The still water also added a quiet balance to a photo that could have easily felt crowded.

I used a long lens for this one so I could stay at a comfortable distance and isolate the boat against the larger vessels in the background. That compression helped bring the harbor closer and made the whole scene feel more connected. For me, the photo is less about action and more about a small everyday moment in a fishing town. It shows the kind of normal life I was hoping to find in Paracas: working boats, calm water, and a quick shared glance before they carried on.