A Photographic Journey into the Heart of Bolivia

"(If I had been offered) an assignment in Pompeii the day before it got buried I would have asked if I needed a visa," says Dubin in the forward of his book, Bolivia, A Journey.

Ron is a man of many photographic talents. Over the last four years, his images have been featured in food and travel publications, regionally, nationally, and online. Dubin has also shot in Peru, France, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and extensively in the U.S.

Dubin's book, 86 pages of extraordinary photographs and the stories behind them, offers readers a look into Bolivia's diverse scenery and people. His landscape images are striking: Bold mountains under remarkable skies. The local creatures, llamas, snakes, and flamingoes, have also been photographically captured in their native habitats.

The photographs of the people, going about their daily lives, give readers a revealing look into Bolivian life. The images document small-town residents going about their daily routine. These images, captured by an impartial observer, offer a glance into another place and culture.

Dubin's image, The Sisters, captures two siblings at Isla del Sol. According to Ron, they were the most frightening thing about the town. The encounter resulted in him purchasing two palm fronds from the pair.

"She kicked my butt... There are three-card Monte dealers in New York that could learn a thing or two from them," he says.

The architecture: Basilicas, moments, and ruins, were not overlooked by Dubin's lens. The buildings, combined with the wide blue sky, are a visual pleasure to view. The images of the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, near the banks of Lake Titicaca, illustrate the sacredness of the site to both the indigenous and Catholic people.

Built in the 16th century, Dubin explains, "It is a popular custom to get your car blessed in front of the church which considering the roads, couldn't possibly hurt."

Dubin admits to knowing little about Bolivia before setting out on his expedition. "What I did know couldn't fill up a trivial pursuit card," he says. He did know about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. One of the final images in the book is of Ron brandishing the famous outlaws' pistols.

Bolivia, A Journey can be purchased at Blurb. Ron Dubin maintains a photo blog at blog.rtd13.com