Valparaíso: Exposing Contrasts

This 3-hour photography experience focuses on three neighborhoods in Valparaíso: Barrio Puerto, Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre. Delivered as a walking tour, the experience includes a break for coffee and empanadas. Starting in the historic port enclave, you'll warm up by photographing street markets and cobblestone lanes lined with houses that have withstood countless earthquakes. Then, ascend to Cerro Concepción aboard a 100-year-old funicular to witness the improbable geometry of a city built on 42 hills. David will guide you through the vibrant streets, pausing to capture murals, ornate doors and sweeping vistas. At each photo stop, David shares stories about the city and its people. He explains the symbolism behind motifs and reveals hidden messages tucked into the city’s art and architecture. Before you even reach for your camera, he’ll invite you to trace your hands over the weather-worn corrugated metal of these enchanted homes—and fall into step with the rhythm of Valparaiso.

While the hills of Concepción and Alegre burst with color and art, the port enclave of Barrio Puerto is more subdued. Starting here offers an alternate view of Valparaíso—one rooted in everyday life. You’ll see fishmongers calling out their catch and locals hunting for the ripest avocados. David facilitates small exchanges with vendors and helps you frame compelling photographic moments. As the tour shifts to the city’s better-known quarters, David avoids postcard clichés. He’ll guide you down quieter alleys, urging you to notice hidden textures and play with perspective. He’ll share the meanings behind local street art—including clever in-jokes—and remind you to look up, down, and behind. You’ll also visit an independent gallery showcasing analogue photography and screen printing, followed by a stop at one of David’s favorite cafés—where the atmosphere, like the experience, is built to keep your creativity flowing.

Growing up amid the windswept dunes of Concón and the bohemian streets of Valparaíso kindled David's appreciation for photography, nature, and art. He graduated from the University of Playa Ancha and went on to work as a Software Engineer, while flexing his skills behind the lens. As a self-taught photographer, David has honed his talent working with both landscapes and portraiture. He has an experimental style and a keen eye for spotting easily-missed details He has a special ability to see the potential in the simple aspects of local reality and culture, and always seeks to capture them in an original way through his photography. He works with a Canon DSLR, using 50mm and 18-55mm lenses for regular shots and a 300mm lens to capture distant subjects with clarity and depth. David draws upon his extensive archive of travel photography experiences while mentoring those visiting Valparaíso on how to capture the beauty of a city and why you should look beyond what's at eye level.

Bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera (and additional lenses) or your smartphone. Tripods are not required. Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen are essential in summer/recommended in winter. Comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear for uneven surfaces and some steep inclines. Bottled water. Bear in mind that heavy fogs from the Humboldt Current are common in Valparaíso. The experience will continue if fog is present; David will teach you how to work around these conditions and create beautiful imagery.