SERAPIO VARGAS
Interview: Annemarie Gunkel
Photographies: Victor Zea
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"I was born in 1923. I work as a photographer since 1952. Back then there were no colors, only black and white, everything was on film. About 40 years ago colors came and ever since technology has been advancing constantly.
At first, photography interested me because I could capture how my children grew and have family memories. But then I liked it so much that I decided to dedicate myself to it. I did not know much, but I learned through practice and that's also how I managed the change to my first digital camera, I learned everything on my own and little by little I perfected myself."
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"I've been working in the Plaza de Armas for 60 years. Of all the photographers who are here, I am the one who is here the longest. Before I also went to the provinces and the jungle to work, I went to document regional festivities or take pictures of family parties such as baptisms or weddings.
In all that time the Main Square and Cusco have changed a lot before there were only a little tourism and much fewer inhabitants, now there are always many people.
I keep coming to the Plaza every day because besides working I also like it. I meet known and unknown people, I speak, I chat and I enjoy the atmosphere of the Plaza."
"Here in the Main Square we are more or less 80 photographers. Luckily there are still enough clients for all of us, but since everyone has his cell phone our work decreased by 70 percent. Before there were no cell phones, some tourists came with very good cameras but most needed us to have their picture taken.
What I like about photography is that people are happy with the souvenir they take home, that my work pleases them. I always feel proud because my photos travel the world, cross oceans and penetrate borders."
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