A few days ago, I finally went through a series of images I had stored since 2019. That day marked my first visit to Viñales, a place I had only heard about in stories and seen in tourist postcards. I experienced it with a fresh perspective and a camera always ready. I didn’t know exactly what I would find, but I had the feeling something meaningful would reveal itself.
That day I brought along my loyal Canon XTi, a camera that was already outdated at the time, but one that had accompanied me through many photographic beginnings. I worked with two lenses: the 18-55mm, which served well for wide landscapes and general scenery, and the 75-300mm, which allowed me to get closer to distant details without disturbing the moment, especially useful when nature played shy.
Although the equipment had its limitations, particularly in terms of dynamic range, focus speed, and image quality in certain conditions, it was never a barrier. On the contrary, it became a challenge. And challenges tend to bring out the best in us when passion leads the way.
Viñales amazed me with its striking geography, lush vegetation, and peaceful atmosphere. I walked it, observed it, and waited for it. In this post, I’m sharing a selection of photos taken on that very day, all in color, maiming to preserve the raw essence of what I saw: deep skies, quiet reflections, long shadows, and endless greens.
If you’re interested in seeing a different take on the same journey, I’ve also published a parallel post in the black and white photography community. There, I focus on shapes, contrasts, and composition, stripping away color to explore a more abstract dimension of the same space.
Both sets of images come from the same day, and from the same feeling: discovering Viñales for the first time, camera in hand, senses wide open, guided only by light.
