New Project Galleries

Two new albums in the Projects section of my site! One is from an architecture and design showcase called CasaCor. The other is a series of aerial images I took while flying only a few thousand feet above Chile in a small two seater plane.

See them here: http://www.brandon-stanley.com/projects

Random Photo - Santiago Centro

This is a photo taken from Cerro Santa Lucia looking west towards Santiago Centro.

Random Photo - Santiago Centro

Another image from Cerro Santa Lucia:

Urban Planning vs. People's Homes

While exploring the neighborhoods surrounding my apartment I have encountered some notable buildings, streets and corners of life. Being in Santiago Centro I'm within a 15 minute walk of Barrio Brasil and Yungay, Bella Vista, Bella Artes, Patronato and Providencia. Each with distinct environments and groups of people. 

One area I have found generally bland is south of Alameda around the Santa Lucia Metro station. It is largely high rise apartments that all look exactly the same with minimal nightlife and culture beyond the graffiti covered walls (which themselves are really impressive, but graffiti alone can't make up for an otherwise boring neighborhood). 

Walking down Carmen I did happen to stumble upon these few buildings that must have been half knocked down when the road was put in.

                                    

Not sure what year it was, but it has definitely been for a while. But the strange thing was that beyond being the canvas for some street artists they appear untouched since the day they were half destroyed. Half rooms still remain with doors to the neighboring rooms where I'm assuming people still live. 

It's unfortunate that this building was subject to forced expansion by the city. That, and those ugly high rise apartments in the background are rapidly taking over the skyline.

                                      

Cool street art

Random Photo

Image from Humberstone. An hour inland from Iquique, Chile is an abandoned mining town from the mid 1800s with dozens of decaying buildings from old homes and infirmaries to factories, churches and theaters.

Tilt-shift photos

Some more images with the the Nikon 24mm tilt-shift lens taken on the Time Warner Building at Columbus Circle in NY:

Tilt-shift Lens

I just rented a Nikon 24mm tilt-shift lens and I have to say I have fallen in love. It offers an entirely new way to approach photography. It opens up so many creative doors. From incredibly selective focus to perspective control, it does things most other lenses don't. I have a few days with it to shoot some images for my architecture portfolio. It's fun to take advantage of the bizarre effects it can produce, aside from capturing immaculate architectural images. Here are a few images from just messing around.

14th street and 10th ave

Construction site below the Highline Park

The Highline leading uptown

The IAC Building - Frank Gehry

The Meatpacking District

Random Photo(s)

Antofagasta, Chile

Antofagasta, Chile

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Notes from Copacabana, Bolivia

February 8, 2011 - Copacabana, Bolivia

"There are certain moments or places in your travels where everything seems to be, well... perfect. You find that little slice of life you wish you could hold on to forever, and live over and over again.

Today I found that. It hit me while lying in the hammock, in my wildly unique hostel in the hills of Copacabana.


Maybe it was the breathtaking views from the huge windows.


Maybe it was the perfect cloud formations over Lake Titicaca.


Maybe it was the pleasure I had knowing I was so far from anything and everything I knew. Maybe it was the excitement of being in a completely foreign country with more than enough funds to stay for months(Bolivia is super cheap). Or maybe it was the pure state of relaxation and contentment I felt lying there with Camila. Either way, it was life at it's best.

This is what traveling is all about. Stumbling upon those towns or cities with great vibes that simply leave you stunned.

Copacabana is a simple town on the edge of Lake Titicaca, 15 minutes from the Peruvian/Bolivian border. It is most well known as the jump-off point for Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), which the Incas believed to be the birthplace of mankind. The town consists of old, colorful buildings and largely sparse streets, save the main strip leading to the water and Mercado. The main strip is littered with restaurants, cafes, shops and friendly hippies selling handmade crafts for next to nothing. The town is almost entirely void of cars or anything that reminds you it is the year 2011. Items were surprisingly cheap, with a handmade bracelet costing me five Bolivianos, or about $.75. Life here is simple, slow paced and seemingly lost in time.

Our days are spent relaxing, enjoying the views, the clouds and our incomparable hostel and property. Wandering the town today we met a painter we later found out was named Samuel Smith. It wasn't until halfway through our conversation that a little English slipped out and we discovered he was from Minnesota. He had been in Bolivia for a long while, painting and living off the grid. I purchased one of his rolled canvas paintings for 120 Bolivianos, or about $17. It was a steal considering it was a well done piece of artwork on a 42x36 inch canvas. He was selling his paintings for very cheap in order to quickly raise funds to get to Cusco, Peru and I was happy to contribute."


Anybody traveling to Bolivia needs to consider a trip to Copacabana, especially before or after a trip to La Paz, which is by far the craziest city I've ever been to. It is a great chance to relax, unwind and forget about the world. I also highly recommend the Hostal Las Olas which is one of the most relaxing and unique places I've ever stayed. Situated in the hills are 6 private buildings/huts/domes/cabins built amongst beautiful gardens and winding paths. Whatever they technically are and whatever you want to call them doesn't matter because either way they are very, very cool. We had the pleasure of staying in two different rooms over the 3 days. Each room is very different and has features such as: in-room gardens, hammocks, wood-burning stoves, working kitchens and massive showers, all built with locally sourced natural materials.

Our first room

Wood burning stove, hammocks, garden and loft bed

Exterior of our second room and private patio area

Our second room

Bathroom

View of the bay

Copacabana

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

After about five days in Santiago some friends suggested a day trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. I'd been told by many other travelers and friends that they were both cities that warrented a visit; especially being only an hour and a half from Santiago. Valparaíso is an eclectic port city spreading into the hills that overlook the ocean. There are many colorful, rundown buildings, many covered in graffiti on winding cobblestone streets. It is an interesting place because locals look at graffiti as a form of art and officials don't stop graffiti artists from doing there thing. Ideally I would have liked to have spent at least a few weeks exploring the area, but that wasn't an option for right now.

Valparaíso - the bay

Typical rundown streets - Cerro Concepción


Impressive street art


Cerro Concepción neighborhood

Coffe, Camila, Felipe


More street art


There were many random dogs throughout the city


Felipe, random dog, Brit


Myself looking somewhat awkward in the alley to a small restaurant famous for its chorrillana, which is a plate of french fries covered in scrambled eggs, onions and steak. Amazingly tasty and equally greasy.


Chorrillana and Escudo


Valpo and Avenida España

Just north of Valparaíso is Viña del Mar which is a more upscale, resort town with many high rise condos, bars, restaurants and beaches.

The coast and Valparaíso


Condos


Reñaca Beach - And so begins the Coffe Show


It seemed like a good idea at the time...


At least he tried

Reñaca Beach condos