Artwork description:

Two hours west of Cancun, Mexico, is the ancient grounds of Chichén Itzá, now voted one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This complex of geometric ruins shows the fusion of Maya and Toltec traditions up to the 13th century, and one of the most famous landmarks at the site is the step pyramid El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulkan.

I arrived at Chichén Itzá early one morning shortly before sunrise during the rainy season, and for a short while had the place to myself to set up the shot. With the sun sitting low in the sky, there was a stark contrast between the light pressing against the pyramid and the depth of the shadows cast by the stones. As the sun rose so too did the temperature, burning through the low clouds and giving them a thin mist-like quality.

The unique weather conditions and brief solitude of the site enabled me to create a finely balanced shot of the pyramid rising from the ground into the sky. Despite the sunshine, I made the decision to edit in black and white for the added drama it gives to the shape and structure of the ruins. The print is enhanced using a Resin Coated Photo Metallic Gloss paper, which perfectly reproduces the crisp textures of the stone temple and the smooth softness of its surrounding environment. 

This is a special and dynamic print of a culturally significant landmark and is particularly well suited to the Jet Black Polished frame.

Materials used:

Innova Metallic Gloss Photopaper, Nikon D800, White Mount Board, Epson SC P800,

Tags: