For my second trip to Cuba, I was primarily doing a video project for The Giving Lens. So, when I returned home, I was surprised to see how few photos I actually took during the nearly two week trip. Maybe feeling dejected, I never even looked at them. After the incredible scenes and people I had met on my first Cuban adventure, how could I have captured anything remotely close that would convey my love for the Cuban people and their culture. Almost two years have gone by since that trip, and it took a swift kick in the ass by my friend David DuChemin to inspire me to go back and look through the folder of photos. I recently spent three days studying David’s new course ‘The Traveling Lens,’ and it really reminded me about what I love about photography. I was so inspired, I immediately wrote ’20 Lessons David DuChemin Taught Me About Travel Photography.’ 

I was suddenly filled with excitement to get back on a plane and take the lessons I learned from the course and put them into action when I return to Morocco and Jordan this fall. But, what did the course teach me most of all? A lesson I don’t think David ever planned me learning from it. It taught me that, even though my Instagram is filled with mostly outdoor adventure photos and landscape shots, what really makes my heart race is the connections that I make while documenting a culture. All too often, I am too consumed with finding the photos that weave into my Instagram profile that I forget WHY I love photography in the first place. The milisecond moments in time that unfold in front of our eyes as travelers. Moments that will never, ever be recreated. Real, authentic moments that aren’t being carried out for the ‘Gram. These moments are playing out in front of us because, well, that’s life. Whether it is the shopkeeper selling goods, the food stand cart owner handing out hot, tasty empanadas or the old lady sitting and watching the day pass out of her window. This is there lives. And I am honored and humbled to capture it and share it with the world. I need to remind myself of that the next time I am looking for a colorful sunset to post on my Instagram. Am I posting that for me? Or am I posting it for the people who follow me?

I am finding myself inspired to get back to basics. To share these moments. To begin to tell travel stories again. To inspire people to let go of their fears and doubts and throw themselves out there, to get lost on the colorful cobblestone streets in a land they never dreamed of seeing. To show them that there is so much more to the world than vibrant sunsets. So thanks to David DuChemin, you now get the pleasure (or annoyance) of seeing some of my favorite photos from my last trip to Cuba.

Looking back through these, it sure as hell makes me miss Cuba. Maybe, just maybe, more than I have ever missed a country or its people before.

Fidel Castro had died just three days before we landed in Cuba. The government had imposed a nine day mourning period where alcohol, music and dancing were outlawed. All through the country, there were tributes to the leader that many Cubans had lived under their entire lives.

A man who had lost an arm holds a Fuji Instax print that I had taken and given to him just minutes earlier in Trinidad.

The capitol building in Havana as seen from a rooftop hotel bar.

While traveling with The Giving Lens, we work with a local non-profit, Amigo Skate Club. The aim of the organization is to help the local youth stay active and learn art skills such as photography, painting, and dance.

A woman waits for her ride to work under the watchful eye of her father. After she left, her father was excited to receive a Fuji Instax photo of himself to give to his wife.

Is it just me or does this kid look like the Cuban Justin Bieber?

Just two guys hanging out in the trunk of their car.

Sometimes, the best moments in Havana are high above you.

I am not entirely convinced that this Jeep mechanic wasn’t wearing women’s loafers. And they look damn good!

The best time to hit the streets of Havana? In the early morning as the city comes alive.

It’s easy to just sit down and get lost in your own thoughts as Havana goes a mile a minute around you.

Is that room still for rent?

Two woodworkers hard at work.

A woman sits in her house, surrounded by her own thoughts, which she has recorded on the walls of her house in thick permanent marker. 

A father and son share a moment in front of their car, complete with “Che” Guevara stickers on the headlights.

A butcher prepares for the after work rush of his neighbors needing meat for dinner.

A school girl walking to class in Trinidad.

A woman holds up a Fuji Instax that I had given her one early morning in Trinidad.

We found a bunch of cowboys in a remote farming village, and they were as awesome as they look. Also proven. It’s never too early to drink a bottle of Havana Club.

Village school children leave class as their fathers and the local farmers return home from a day in the fields.

There really is no place like Havana after the sun goes down.

After I had finished putting together this photo essay, I got inspired to re-visit my original Cuban adventure and edit some photos I had never shared before. So, here you go! Inspired to go to Cuba? Feel free to check out my travel guide and ask me anything via my Instagram!

No matter how hard we tried, this girl would not say a word to us.

A farmer returns from a day of grazing his herd of cattle.

Outside of a cemetery in Holguín, a man makes a living by selling roses on the streets to mourners as they pass the cemetery gates.

The further east you go, the worse the road conditions become. This is two of three ‘broken’ bridges we had to pass over while driving the coastal road between Cabo Cruz and Santiago de Cuba. The man is explaining to us that there is no detour and that the only way is to drive over the partially collapsed bridge.

Concentration is key when driving on the far eastern coast, outside of Baracoa.

The east coast has an entirely different vibe than the hustle of the west coast.

A hat weaver takes a break in the hot sun to light up a cigar.

A recent visit from the Pope was still highly talked about, as evident by the amount of pictures and posters taped up on shop and house walls.

A man looks out of the back of a transport truck in the smokey east coast.

A military veteran who had lost his arm in service tells us his story as his dog curiously looks on.

A woman hangs her clothes to dry on the roof of her apartment as the heavy industrial sites of Niquero looms in the background.

A merchant at the local farmer’s market easily wins the award for biggest produce.

A woman watches the day go by from the comfort of her window in Havana.

American flags are EVERYWHERE in Cuba, like on this bike taxi in Ciego De Avila.

A tobacco farmer takes a break in the late afternoon after a long day of hanging leaves to dry.

A girl waits to go to school in Havana.

A young couple takes a shower as the mother laughs at us for being so interested in this unforgettable moment on the southern coast.

Cubans are the most hospitable people I have ever met. They will always invite you into their home for coffee or rum. In the case of the Cuban Chuck Norris, it was both.

The post 50 Photos That Show The Beauty of Everyday Life in Cuba appeared first on Resource Travel.

These people were genuinely just hanging out on the stoop like this, but I waited for the man to walk by to get the best composition.

1) Equipment

Let’s start here and I’m going to be real with you. If all you have is a smartphone and you really want to take excellent photos: it’s not impossible, but consider getting a nice camera. Not to say that the latest iPhones don’t have good cameras, but they will not allow you to get the quality and depth you will want from a DSLR camera with a quality lens. A decent camera could run you anywhere from several hundred dollars to thousands if you want to get fancy, so if money is tight, consider renting one for your trip—the better your camera and lens setup are, the better the quality your photos will be, and the more serious your subjects will take you. These photographs were all shot on a Sony A7 II with a Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and I was extremely happy with the outcome. The A7 II is a pro camera with a phenomenal color profile and the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is a standard range for portraits and scenes with beautiful depth of field and excellent sharpness… but it ain’t cheap (and I promise I wasn’t paid to give it a thumbs up).

I saw this boy exit this doorway and couldn’t believe the color synchronicity so I asked him to pose for me.

When in Cuba, take photos of people with cigars hanging out of their mouths.

2) Travel light and fit in

I like to be inconspicuous—it’s not usually the best idea to lug around a big camera bag filled with lenses and accessories: it can be heavy and also catch unwanted attention. All you really need is one or two lenses max with a nice range and an extra memory card and/or battery. It’s also good to not bring too much attention to whatever you’re wearing, including jewelry or other expensive looking items. This may sound obvious, but the more you dress down or look like the locals, the better they will respond to you and the less of a target you will be. If you’re a lady cakes, it may be smart to stay conservative with your attire.

I walked past this salon and decided to just walk in and ask if I could take some photos. The guy on the right jumped in the chair so he would be a part of it.

I’m pretty sure I caught these guys in the middle of flirting with each other… they weren’t mad at me capturing it.

Sometimes, perspective is everything. I like to look through cracks and doorways, you never know what lies on the other side.

t’s also good to pay attention to what’s going on in the background and to include (or exclude for that matter) subjects that may add depth to the photograph.

Ché Guevara is a central Cuban figure, so I wanted to capture an image that shed light on him. No pun intended.

Still life shots can be nice to add to the mix, just to give a sense of place.

As much of a tourist picture trap street performers can be, it’s also possible to take uncommon photos of them if you really spend a little extra time with them.

When your AirBnB host goes to this amount of trouble…

Classic cars are constantly breaking down in Cuba, this kind of scene just goes with the day-to-day lifestyle.

4) Go deeper

If you’re in a touristy city or neighborhood, consider leaving the main sites and finding areas where the locals hang out, live and work. Go to other towns nearby. Wander into places or alleyways (that don’t seem threatening) off the beaten path and try asking locals to give you recommendations or to take you into obscure neighborhoods so you can capture typical scenes and more authentic moments. If it feels right, go into shops or homes; ask the owners if you can hang out and take some pictures. Maybe get your nails done or hair cut at a local salon if you want to photograph the shop. On my trip to Havana, I wandered through several gated doorways looking for interesting subjects and, with some luck, I stumbled upon a colorful outdoor gym where some guys were working out, an impoverished brothel, and a boxing ring where a group of kids were practicing. Getting images like that would be impossible if you didn’t put yourself out there to explore deeper. Just be careful and know where your limits should be drawn.

Exploring neighborhoods outside of the main tourist areas—even if they seem desolate and scary at first—can get you shots that most tourists don’t have. Just be careful

I stopped to watch the kids play, and at first they were wondering why, but eventually they stopped paying attention to me and that’s when I was able to capture the moment more genuinely.

I wandered into a gated area into this colorful gym and followed this man around for several minutes, capturing him working out. He probably thought I was crazy, but I just smiled and he let me.

The teacher of this group of kids let us take photos of their boxing class for a little extra cash.

I wandered into what seemed like a brothel building and was ushered by two women to the home of this older woman who told me about her financial problems and illnesses.

I asked our driver who took us to Viñales to take us to a tobacco plantation that was not touristy, as some of them can be. It’s always a good idea to let the people who are guiding you know that you are interested in local things so they don’t automatically bring you to the most touristy locations.

5) Be confident and fearless

Being confident goes especially if you’re a woman traveling in a place that may feel male-dominated and where you really have to hold your own. The key is to remain cool, collected and to not care what people think. Handicaps lie in fear and in worrying about people’s judgments or of getting rejected. You will probably get stared down or shooed away at some point on your trip, and that just goes with the territory, but with owning it lies great power. If you are confident and brave, while still remaining kind and caring, your subject will feel comfortable with you and give you the power to direct them, should you want to. When you have conviction, it’s easier to move people to more aesthetic backgrounds as well as encourage them how to pose, without being obnoxious or invasive. With that said, it’s important to feel out your limits and not overstay your welcome.

took several photos of this girl and she was NOT having it. I just smiled and played dumb, and got my shot.

You notice the strangest things when you’re actively looking… This was literally just a room off a main street with 3 red sofas in it and a guy hanging out.

These guys were not even posing, they just looked like that! So, I poked my head in through the window, smiled and started taking photos, hoping they wouldn’t beat me up.

This man was really not happy with me taking his photo. At first he was reading the paper, and then as I continued to take photos, waiting for him to look at me, he eventually dropped his paper down and gave me the stare of death. That’s when I left…

6) Connect with your subjects

Talking to my students over the years, it seems that one of the challenges that often comes up is shyness and fear of asking people to pose. It’s normal that going up to strangers may seem uncomfortable, but if you turn the fear into excitement and just realize that people don’t bite, it will be easier, especially if you manage to truly connect with your subjects. Smile, laugh, flirt if you have to, be silly or act stupid if you think it’ll ease up the interaction. Be genuine and genuinely interested in what they might be doing. Ask questions if you’re able to communicate adequately. People are immediately attracted to or put off by others’ energy, so you’ll want to have the kind of vibe that makes people comfortable around you. If you are entering into impoverished areas, be compassionate and empathetic towards people’s needs. Try to always ask your subjects if you can photograph them, unless you are going for a candid moment and if you have gifts, food or small change, consider giving your subjects something in exchange for taking their photo. In some countries, this is expected. Also, you should show them the photo(s) you just took and tell them how wonderful they look. Overall, genuinely connecting with your subjects is most important if you want to get deeper images.

I walked up to this man and started asking him about the watches he was repairing. We quickly made friends and then he let me take all sorts of photos of him from all different angles. I liked his facial expression here best.

This man stole my heart. If I had been able to speak Spanish better, I would have loved to listen to his story. I especially wanted to know why he was wearing two watches

My friend and I hung out with this guy taking photos of him for at least 5 minutes as he made a sale to a little old lady. He was very excited that we were showing so much interest in his pig.

7) Get creative and be prolific

Shoot, shoot shoot and don’t stop at one photograph and at one perspective. If you have the time and available memory, why not take several photos of the same subject? I like to play with composition, angles and pose, so that I walk away with options. The same scene can be shot in infinite ways, and you can only do better if you try different perspectives. Get creative: look for reflections, shoot through things, shoot from above, from below, turn your subject into the light or away from the light, shoot wide, shoot close. Working your creativity will serve your images and will teach you to become an overall better photographer.

I like to shoot the same photo from several different angles and with different focal points. You never know what’s going to end up looking best.

I’m always paying attention to reflections, mirrors and such as they can really embellish a composition or perspective.

This woman let me take several photos of her and her son, and as I got closer I noticed the man in the background, which made the scene all that more interesting.

shot this from the backseat of a taxi, as I noticed all the reflections going on in the window, and took several, patiently waiting for the most interesting juxtaposition to happen.

Sometimes, if you find objects in the foreground that you can shoot through, you end up with much a more compelling composition.

By hanging out and taking several photos of same scene, you can capture completely different energies and images.

8) Be aware, patient and passionate

I could not stress this one more: the best photographers are those who remain aware and patient. Keep your eyes wide open at all times, your camera ready, and be a committed observer of your environment. Go the extra mile for your photography. Watch what people are doing closely and their interactions, look up, look down—you never know what is right under your eye that you don’t quite see, and also, wait for things to happen. The famous National Geographic photographer, Steve McCurry, gave me this insight a long time ago: if you find a beautiful mural or an attractive landscape, but nothing interesting is going on right then, then wait for it to. Stand there for as long as you can take it until something worthwhile takes scene, and if you’re not happy with that, then wait some more.

I noticed this little scene and stood there waiting for some sort of interesting vehicle to pass by so I could get more of an action shot. At times I don’t even put my camera to my face until I see the moment about to happen, so that it doesn’t change people’s attitudes.

I stood there patiently waiting for the most beautiful classic car I could find to pass by.

I stood here waiting for people to walk by for a decent amount of time, hoping I’d get the best composition.

This boy was just hanging out against the wall and I knew if nothing else was going on that it wouldn’t be as exciting of a shot, so I waited for a bit until something happened in the foreground. It’s also important to be quick to shoot, because moments can be quite fleeting.

9) Follow the light

Light can make or break a photograph. Broad sunlight is typically going to be harsh and offer dense shadows, which could be exactly what you’re going for or could ruin everything. There are no solid rules in my opinion about when to shoot or not shoot, but there are definitely ways to interpret and follow light appropriately so that you can capture what speaks to you most. Of course, sunrise, sunset and diffused light can be softer and more attractive, but don’t get discouraged if you can’t shoot during those times, there’s always a way to produce excellent imagery with the given conditions: it’s just a matter of trial and error and paying attention to what works best for you.

Don’t be mad at harsh light and shadows, sometimes they make everything about a photo.

I’m always looking for interesting displays of light, especially when it highlights subjects in uncommon ways.

Light is very important when trying to get great photos of monuments and landscapes. Remember, these places have been photographed over and over and over, so if you want to capture something different and better, it‘s a good idea to visit them at an attractive time of day.

10) Editing and retouching

A good photographer knows that sometimes it takes another set of eyes to edit photos. Consider showing your first batch of selects to one or several people and get their opinions. Sometimes, we tend to fall in love with a photograph because of the memory we had while taking it, but it may not necessarily be the best shot. If there’s something I’ve learned from top photo editors, it’s ‘less is more’ when making edits, and only show your best work: your photos are just as good as the least compelling image.

Secondly, if you have a photo editing software such as Photoshop, Lightroom or any others, they can be your best friend. A photograph straight out of the camera can definitely be wonderful, but a little bit of doctoring can go a long way. Perhaps in a photo you took, the light was just too harsh and there weren’t many great colors around anyway, so consider popping the image into black and white and see what you get! Or, saturate the colors a little to make a photo pop. Crop in if you didn’t take the best composition, and maybe try several different crops to see which looks best. Nowadays, you can download plenty of filter presets for Photoshop or Lightroom which can also allow you to stylize photographs in one click and give your images a different feel. With that said, be careful to not overdo it, sometimes over-Photoshopping or intense presets can downgrade the professional quality of an image.

I edited this image a little differently than I normally do by moving around some of the saturation and giving it a slightly more vintage feel.

I boosted the saturation on this shot to make the meat pop more.

Because of the harsh shadows and uninteresting color that was going on in this image, I switched it over to black and white, which gives it a more timeless vibe and forgives the lighting better.

11) Have fun!

Overall and most of all, have fun! Photography is not meant to be stressful or scary and traveling is supposed to be liberating and enjoyable, so please make the most of your trip and don’t worry too much about getting the world’s greatest travel photo—Steve McCurry is busy doing that for us all! The people you connect with and the wonderful moments you share are what are most important, in my opinion, and the photographs are merely physical means to remember them.

I’d love to see what you capture… if you feel inspired, shoot me an email at info@ericasimone.com!

To see more of my work, check out my website www.EricaSimone.com 

This article originally appeared in Huffington Post’s Contributor Platform.

Me doing my thing by ©Daniel McKnight

The post Street Photography Tips for Your Cuba Adventure—Or Any Trip, Really appeared first on Resource Travel.

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El Malecon

This is the coolest spot in Havana, its full of life and its the place everyone comes to watch the sunset and chat with the young locals come to drink rum and dance throughout the night. The best time to shoot is late afternoon into sunset.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near El Malecon. 

The Streets of Old Havana

This is the best neighborhood for street photography. Everyone is super nice and photogenic, it’s hard to take a bad photo. The best time to shoot is mid-day.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near Old Havana. 

The Port

The street along the water is always lively and lots of locals go sit and wait for the cruise ships to come in. There are also classic cars everywhere. The best time to shoot is mid-day.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near The Port. 

El Gran Teatro de Havana

At over a century old, this theater simply amazing. Bring a wide angle lens. You will have to pay a fee to go in and see it, but it’s well worth it. Since it’s indoors, you can photograph the building anytime.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near El Gran Teatro.

Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro

This place has the best views of Havana from afar. Sunset and sunrise are the best times to go. I always make sure I make it up here a few times during my trip.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro.

Rafael Tejo Boxing Gym

Some of Cuba’s best boxing Olympians have come out of the Gimnasio de Boxeo Rafael Tejo. Training times and age ranges vary, so stop by and talk to the trainers to see when you should come by for an hour or two.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near Rafael Tejo Boxing Gym.

Parque Central

The center of it all in Havana. It’s full of locals and tourists alike and is the meeting hub for people. Of course, you will see beautiful classic cars everywhere and there is always bustling activity. The best time to shoot is anytime, even night time.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near Parque Central.

El Floridita

This is the famous Daiquiri bar where Ernest Hemingway used to hang out at. It is always full of people and music. Best time to photograph the exterior is at night. But after you finish, go inside too and enjoy a cold drink and some amazing live music.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near El Floridita.

El Malecon Divers

This is a great place to photograph the kids playing in the water. This location is also popular with fishermen. Both the kids and the fishermen are usually here mid-day to sunset.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near El Malecon. 

El Capitolio

Built with assistance from the USA, the capital building has a lot of history. It was the home of the Cuban congress until the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro overthrew the government. Currently, the building is the home of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and is undergoing major restoration to become the home of the Cuban National Assembly.  A must when in Havana. Best time to shoot anytime. You can get a cool photo of the Capitolio from the Gran Teatro or from the rooftop of the Hotel Saratoga.

Find Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions near El Capitolio

A version of this blog originally appeared on Edin Chavez’s website.

Follow Edin Chavez on his Facebook and Instagram. 

The post The 10 Best Photography Spots in Havana, Cuba appeared first on Resource Travel.

Once you get out of the tourist triangle (Havana, Trinidad, Vinales Valley), you will discover an entirely different version of the country; one without tourist shops, currency exchanges, and locals who speak English. This was the Cuba I fell for.

Cubans cherish their cars like they would their first born. Anytime of day or night, you will see a Cuban tinkering under the hood, often creating Frankenstein-like cars that contain parts from every manufacturer out there. Cubans know how to make cars run with very little original parts.

I traveled to the island nation with a ton of photography gear, but throughout the trip, I found myself constantly reaching for my Apple iPhone 6s Plus. Often it was just quicker and easier to access than digging into my bag for my camera. Sometimes, I would take the scene in front of me with both my iPhone and Sony camera, using the iPhone versions to post to my Instagram.  They always just came out clean, and didn’t require me to take time to edit RAW files on my laptop. And really, finding free time in Cuba was hard—we were constantly ending up in someone’s home, exploring the endless streets and alleyways, or diving into a local bar for a humidity-busting cocktail.

To be honest, it really had been years since I relied so heavily on my iPhone for photographs. With the advent of built in WiFi in cameras, I would typically transfer photos from the camera to my iPhone, rather than taking the photos on the iPhone itself. But in Cuba, once I started shooting with the iPhone, I couldn’t stop. It was FUN. Simple fun. I didn’t have to think about settings or exposure levels. I could just document my experiences cleanly and beautifully with no worries.

On top of the El Bolo Vista Gourmet restaurant in the tourist town of Trinidad, you will find one of the best sunset vantage points in all of Cuba.

Photographing Cuba with an iPhone helped re-energize my love for the basics of photography. It helped me remember a time when life was more simple and much easier; when I could just take great photos quickly and easily without having to stress about deadlines and commitments.

iPhoneography made photography fun again.

Our home on wheels across the country of Cuba. A 1995 Volkswagen Jetta.

One of the first scenes I saw in Havana was this old car perfectly set in front of the facade of a disintegrating building. Little did I know how often I would see this scene play across the country. And each time I realized people actually lived and worked in these buildings.

A mother cuts her daughter’s hair in the 3rd story window of their home in Havana.

Motorbikes & Bicycles in Ciego De Avila.

“I lost my arm in the war” the old man tells us.

A cat looks up from behind a fence in Holguin.

My friend Jairo looks over the untouched coastline that lines the eastern part of the island.

Night at the Libreria Venecia in Havana.

The sun sets over the swinging bridge in Baracoa.

When on a Jeep trip to the furthest point east, you must fill up your stomachs for maximum energy.

A freshly painted bike taxi sits in front of a graffiti mural as a wave crashes over the ocean wall on the Malecon.

The columns of the gazebo in the Manzanillo Parque Central can be used to frame the town’s church towers for a unique photograph.

Children play football on a graffiti-filled athletic court in Havana.

The 2016 Cuban Olympic Bicycle team practices at their official training facility in Havana.

Decades-old irons and blenders sit ready to use in the back room of a resturant in the eastern city a Baracoa.

The late afternoon light starts to turn the clouds pink in Havana.

On the lonely, deserted road north of Cabo Cruz lies a lighthouse and incredible foreground elements for a sunset photograph.

Cubans say the massive construction project to beautify the capital building in Havana is to impress the impending flood of American tourists.

A tobacco farmer shows off his drying crop in the Vinales Valley.

A bus filled with a very energetic crowd implores the American government to stop the blockade against Cuba.

An old woman yells at construction workers from her balcony for making too much noise in the neighborhood surrounding the capital building in Havana.

A man walks through a decaying corner as twilight settles over Havana.

Sure, you can take the tourist taxi, but why not jump in the collective taxi. Not only will you pay a fraction of the cost, but you will make some new Cuban friends when they curiously ask how you made your way into a local taxi.

A farmer harvests tobacco leaves in the Vinales Valley.

A tobacco farmer and his horse in the Vinales Valley.

Baseball is king in Cuba, and you will find young boys playing catch everywhere and anywhere, like this pair in the Vinales Valley.

A man tends to a fire in his yard as his friend looks on in the Vinales Valley.

The scene a split second before the toy cart hit the street dog on the heels, causing him to jump as the afternoon light hits Havana.

Two dogs, curious with my presence, inch closer in the Vinales Valley.

A classic car sits in front of street vendors in Havana.

An old man pauses to catch his breath on a dark street during nightfall in Havana.

The colors of Havana are intriguing, to say the least.

A man, dressed to impress, crosses a busy street in Havana.

The well maintained Malecon waterfront roadway is home to a large number of activities throughout the year. On this particular day, runners from all over the world had gathered for a marathon.

The Malecon ocean wall is constantly filled with young lovers, tourists, and people in search of an afternoon snack or refreshment.

A convertible travels around the Parque Central of Holguin to celebrate the Quinceañera (15th Birthday) of a local young woman.

A construction worker in Havana takes a break from hanging out to give me a thumbs up.

A couple carries a carpet across a street in Havana.

Abandon or Inhabited?

Classic cars and their drivers wait for traffic to move on the outskirts of Havana.

The cemetery in Holguin is an impressive collection of tombstones, statues, and mausoleums

A young mother asks her son what he is doing to misbehave while she was under the hood of her car. For the record, he was climbing into the passenger seat through the window instead of using the door.

School children walk by a Buick in Havana.

Apparently, Che Guevara was a New York Yankees fan, according to this art piece found in a tatto shop in Havana.

The sun sets on another day in Havana.

A Beatles Themed bar in Holguin awaits it’s first customer of the day.

Outside of the Beatles-themed bar in Holguin, a man waits patiently for his family.

Young Cuban women enter a market that displays an advertisement of young adults who don’t appear very Cuban.

The sun sets on top of the 465 steps that it takes to get to La Loma de la Cruz, which provides a impressive view of the city of Holguin.

A woman hitches a ride on the back of a moterbike in the far east.

The furthest point east on the island of Cuba, the Concha lighthouse sits along the ocean.

“The Bridge is broken, yet they drive over it anyway” the farmer said. Little did we know, this was one of the safer bridges in the east, which has been suffering from a complete lack of road repairs for decades.

Clouds mix with smoke along a road in the rural east.

Vibrant buildings and vibrant clothing in Bayamo.

My friend and incredible photographer Alain Lázaro Gutiérrez takes in the sunset at Cabo Cruz.

No lights? No problem for the baseball-obsessed youth in Ciego De Avila.

A typical taxi ride in the countryside on the outskirts of Trinidad.

Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and Nelson Mandela appear over the phrase “The great nation that grows”

A young man takes out the trash in Havana.

The sleepy sea-side village of Cabo Cruz is prehaps the most tropical location on the southern side of the island.

The post 31 Days in Cuba with an iPhone 6s Plus and a VW Jetta appeared first on Resource Travel.

Written and photographed by Michael Bonocore
Created in partnership with Tamron USA. All photographs captured using Tamron Lenses. 

When to visit

While most of the summer months in Cuba are unbearably humid, November through March is a much more pleasant time to visit, as daily temperatures range from the high 70’s to low 80’s. Cuban cities were made for walking, so book your trip in the winter months. This is also the busiest season for tourism, so expect higher rates for the Casas Particulares (more on that later). Additionally, the rainfall total is at its lowest during these months, making street photography much easier on your camera. That’s not to say you won’t see rain, though, which makes for incredible scenes and reflections in the streets. But if beaches are more your speed, then the humidity of July and August is a great time to catch some sun on the tropical north coast.

Travel

On March 15, 2016, President Obama signed an executive order that opened the door for any American citizen to visit Cuba for all intents and purposes. Previously, an American with a special Visa would have to enter the country through a tour group, generally in a “people-to-people” capacity, such as education and volunteerism. The new order, however, eliminates the need to visit as part of a tour group, meaning visitors simply have to submit a form that confirms they are going for “people-to-people” purposes. Tourism, on the other hand, is still forbidden, so make sure you don’t check that box on your form. This executive action occurred just five days before President Obama become the first US President on Cuban soil since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.

US Airlines also will begin nonstop flights to Cuba throughout the summer and fall of 2016.

Accommodations

Hotels outside of Havana are uncommon, so it’s best to stay at the Casas Particulares. The Casas are homestay buildings with the family that owns them, but many are set up like hotels with well-equipped rooms and private or shared bathrooms. The families will also prepare authentic Cuban dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Typically, the owners are friendly and accommodating, and will quickly become your friends. Casas are everywhere, so if you don’t have a reservation just keep an eye out for doors with a blue anchor-looking symbol. Aside from this being the best option for an authentic Cuban experience, Casas are also far more economical, ranging from $20 to $30 a night for a private room. Breakfast will cost about four dollars per person while dinner can range from seven dollars to $10. So skip the government-owned hotels and support the local families by staying at a Casa.

Casas are also slowly becoming more accessible online, and you can visit www.mycasaparticular.com to browse and book your stays.

Cuisine

Until 2010, most restaurants in Cuba were government owned and operated, with only small private restaurants—or paladars—tightly regulated. A review of the economic model convinced the government to give these mostly family owned restaurants more freedom, such as how many tables to accommodate, a decision that previously was made by the government. This unexpected move inspired Cuban culinary aficionados to open restaurants across the country. Since then, the scene has exploded, and private restaurants have become the best options for tasty local dishes, but are typically more expensive than the government-run businesses. Even more, the real gems are found along the highways in the middle of nowhere. And for about three bucks, these family businesses serve up chicken, seafood, pork, lamb, and vegetarian options for lunch and dinner.

Hot spots

Havana

Havana is truly a one of a kind city—it’s one of those places that’s nearly impossible to describe to someone who hasn’t been there. But let’s give it a shot. First off, it’s filled with Historic architectural gems like Cathedral de San Cristobal, which provide a stark contrast to the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Vedado. These neighborhoods are home to hundreds of dilapidated buildings that serve as unique backgrounds when photographing the street scenes that unfold in front of them. And while car and bicycle taxis are everywhere, opt to walk as much as possible. Each walk yields incredible photographs and lively conversations with Havana’s friendly residents. And of course, the famous classic cars cruising the streets by the thousand add vibrant character to any scene, especially on the famous waterfront Malecón.

Where to stay:
Las Terrazas
Phone: +53 7876-2204 +53 5736-3810

Where to eat:
El Chanchullero
www.el-chanchullero.com

Vinales Valley

Arguably the most photographed region in Cuba, most of the postcard photos of the Cuban countryside were taken in Vinales Valley’s famed tobacco growing region. Vinales is also home to a ton of outdoor adventures, such as swimming, rock climbing, biking, and hiking. Nonetheless, the tobacco farms are a great place to relax and light up a freshly rolled Cuban cigar and watch the golden afternoon light descend on the farmlands.

Where to stay:
Casa California – Orquidea y Luis
Phone: +53 5255-9919 or +53 4868-4365
E-mail: orquideayluis2016@gmail.com
orquidea.liza@nauta.cu

Cienfuegos

Awarded a coveted Unesco World Heritage site in 2005, Cienfuegos is one of Cuba’s most beautiful cities and a huge part of the typical tourist route through the country. At the least, it’s worthy of a stopover, as the impressive view of the Parque Jose Martinez can be seen from an iron staircase on the roof of Casa de la Cultura Benjamin Duarte.

Trinidad

Tourists galore inhabit the Parque Central and the surrounding streets in Trinidad, but don’t let that stop you from coming. The photography locations here are exceptional, with vibrant colors and a perfect sunset vantage point from the El Bolo Vista Gourmet restaurant. Sit on the roof, grab a mojito, and watch the colonial style church become awash in the afternoon light.

Where to stay:
Hostal Benavente
Phone: +53 4199-4106
E-mail: ely26benavente@yahoo.es
www.casabenaventetrinidad.wordpress.com

Where to Eat:
El Bolo Vista Gourmet

Photography Guide:
Julio Munoz
Phone: +53 4199-3673
E-mail: trinidadjulio@yahoo.com
www.trinidadphoto.com

Ciego De Avila

The people of Ciego De Avila are proud of their history and their town. The hard working laborers consume the sugarcane and pineapple industries, which has helped build up the area as one of the cleanest and most modern in Cuba.

Where to stay:
Casa Liamne
Phone: +53 5340-9131

Bayamo

Horse carriages are the main form of transportation in the old city of Bayamo, a must-do for those seeking to photograph one of Cuba’s most historic methods of transportation. To say the least, the colorful walls, street vendor carts, and busy mornings make photography in Bayamo an exciting adventure.|

Where to stay:
Ogla y Jose
Phone: +53 2342-3859
E-mail: maillo@nauta.com

Manzanillo

The bayside town of Manzanillo is home to one of Cuba’s most impressive Parque Central. An elegant gazebo sits in the center of the park, and from the right angle, you can frame the bell towers of Inglesia de la Purisma Concepcion between the gazebo’s arches. If you don’t plan to stay overnight, it’s the perfect place to stop for lunch before capturing this impressive scene.

Cabo Cruz

Along the southern coast lies Cabo Cruz, the sleepy beach side village. There are rarely outsiders here, and the people are friendly and the surroundings beautiful, which will lead to some amazing photo opportunities that most visitors will never have.

Guantanamo

Almost every American knows the name Guantanamo, and besides Havana, this bay in the furthest southeast corner of the country is perhaps the most globally known location in Cuba. Yes, I’m talking about the infamous Guantanamo Bay US naval base. Although it’s located near the town of Guantanamo, the province holds its own as a beautiful location to visit. The lush mountainous region makes for excellent photographic drives, alongside the lookout points over the beautiful blue waters of the bay. And with a long lens, you can even see the US military installations and the dramatic in-water border that separates the US and Cuba territories.

Where to stay:
Las Terrazas de Evelin
Phone: +53 5310-4658
E-mail: yudibr86@nauta.cu

Baracoa

The town of Baracoa—an hour drive from Masai and the furthest point east in Cuba—is everything Havana isn’t. Quiet, lush, and most of all, quirky, as evidenced by one of the most interesting photo spots in this beachfront town, a run down baseball stadium on the beach. If you walk 20 minutes past the stadium, however, you’ll come across one of the most beautiful locations in the country: a swinging bridge over the tropical Rio Miel, complete with colorful boats and huts built on stilts in the river. The golden light makes this spot ideal to hit in the early-morning or late-afternoon. Also, if you continue to the other side of the river you can take in the scenery of Parque Natural Majayara while exploring its enchanting dirt-road neighborhoods.

Where to stay:
Case Reina y Rebeca
Phone: +53 2164-1164 or +53 2164-1852
E- mail: pascuall@nauta.cu or ruben.gtm@infomed.sld.cu

Holguin

After a beautiful drive along the north coast from Baracoa and through Moa, you will arrive in Holguin, Cuba’s fourth largest city. Known as the “city of parks,” Holguin is full of street scenes that will have you changing your lenses and settings at a fast and furious pace. But when you’re not devouring tasty food at one of Holguin’s up-and-coming private restaurants, make sure to hike the 465 steps to La Loma de la Cruz for an incredible view of the city. The 465-meter hilltop is also home to a large cross, a perfect foreground element for your early-morning or late-afternoon photo.

Where to stay:
Villa Oshun
Phone: +52 2442-4473
E-mail: oscarifa@nauta.cu

Villa Daya Y Julio
Phone: +53 2448-0645
E-mail: dayami.olano@nauta.cu

Sancti Spiritus

A charming little town of 114,000, photos of Sancti Spiritus are often confused with its neighbor, Trinidad. Puento Yayabo, a blinding yellow four-arch bridge over the Rio Yayabo, is the main draw here. Catch it in the early morning for golden light casting on the arches, and even without an ND filter, the calm river makes for perfect reflections. Also, don’t forget to capture the hustle of the locals heading off to work in morning.

Where to stay:
Calle Real
Phone: +53 5240-8296
E-mail: callereal76ss@gmail.com

Survival Guide: Consuming the Culture of Cuba

Live in the moment—don’t rely on reservations

Businesses in Cuba can take reservations, but they just can’t hold reservations. Remember those Casas I recommended? Well, the downside is Cuba lacks in organization and communication, so don’t be surprised to arrive at a sold out Casa. But not to worry, the Casa owners work closely together, so a few phone calls will usually get you a new reservation at a nearby location. When this happens (trust me, it will), just smile and take it with stride. Most Cubans don’t have the luxury of the Internet and computers, and their businesses are run using physical books, so cut them some slack—and remember that this system worked incredibly well in the US for decades.

Shoot from the window of a sturdy vehicle

Life in Cuba moves so slow that it isn’t hard to capture it while traversing down highways at 100 kilometers an hour. When you aren’t behind the wheel, set your camera to continuous drive mode at 1/8000 of a second on shutter priority. Let the camera do the work as you capture remarkable scenes without losing valuable travel time. Also, be sure to travel in a sturdy vehicle, as the further east you go, the worse the road conditions become—you will encounter potholes the size of bathtubs, and “dirt roads” that are actually paved roads reduced to rubble. And think twice before you hire a local to take you in their personal vehicle. They value their cars as much as themselves, so blowing a tire will leave you stranded with a very unhappy driver.

Bring fast lenses

Whether you’re shooting out of cars or walking the endlessly photogenic city streets, you can’t afford to miss a moment. For this, high aperture fast lenses are highly recommended in order to retain the sharpness of vivid scenes. For this trip, I photographed exclusively with Tamron lenses, none of which were slower than f/2.8. Even in broad daylight, I shot close to the widest possible aperture, as a fast shutter speed was critical for capturing sharp images.

Make eye contact

In all of my travels, I’ve never seen eyes as an enchanting, magnetic, and vibrant as the people of Cuba, whether male or female or young or old. So build your portraits around your subjects’ eyes—they will inevitably draw you in and leave you speechless.

Get a travel guide

While Cuban people are generally friendly and the country is safe, a guide is always useful on a road trip, especially if you aren’t fluent in Spanish. Even better, is a guide who doubles as a photographer, as they understand your needs and will be eagerly capturing scenes alongside you. This is especially important when spending hours waiting for that perfect person to walk by your favorite street mural. I recommend my good friend Alain Lázaro Gutiérrez—he is an incredible photographer, speaks near-perfect English, and is friendly and personable, making it easy to interact with the people you encounter.

E-mail: alainlazaro@gmail.com
Instagram: @alainmenox
www.atasteofcuba.org

Kick it with the locals

When you walk through the neighborhoods of Cuba, from Havana to Baracoa, you will be assuredly invited into the family homes of the people you meet. Cubans are generous and will share whatever they have with you, whether it’s a cup of coffee or their last cacao, so politely take them up on the offer. Cubans love to talk, and they will want to continue your conversation while hosting you—I lost count of the amount of homes we spent time in, drinking rum, sugarcane juice, and glancing over family photo albums. The conversations were always lively, informative, and the smiles and laughs never stopped. Additionally, with the Internet just recently introduced and still unavailable or unneeded for most, you will find that Cubans appreciate face-to-face conversation—and it’s this constant interaction that makes them some of the most personable people in the world.

Get ready to go offline

The Internet is another quickly changing aspect of daily life in Cuba. Online access for nonessential government personnel was introduced just last year, and is only available in select spots, mainly the outdoor “Parque Central.” It’s also very expensive, especially for Cubans who earn a small fraction of American salaries. You can buy Internet cards from the local Etecsa store for two dollars, but if you pick them up from the hotels in Havana or the beach resorts, the price is more than double that. Also, at the time of writing this feature, business Gmail and US banking websites were restricted, but that could change very quickly. The government seems to be loosening up on access outside of the main town squares—Internet service will soon be available in homes in two Havana neighborhoods, and cafes will be able to purchase routers for their patrons. It is said that the Internet landscape in Cuba is set to change rapidly through 2016.

Forget all of your preconceptions

Everything you thought you knew about Cuba will change after your trip. In fact, you still won’t know how you feel about your experiences long after you leave. Sure, you will remember the beautiful, friendly people and their beaming smiles. But on the other hand, you will also recall the stories they shared about the incredible hardships they’ve faced, and continue to face to this day. No doubt, you will be awestruck when you capture the perfect shot of the decaying building facades, but you’ll get emotional when you remember that people actually live and work in those buildings. Cuba is a one of kind place, with honest and caring people who deserve nothing but success and happiness. Let’s hope that we’ve entered a new chapter in the nation’s turbulent history, one where the good people of Cuba will indefinitely come out on top.

Created in Partnership with Tamron USA

The post The Untold Culture Of Cuba appeared first on Resource Travel.

Before I left for my month-long adventure, I knew the typical photos that I would be chasing. Classic cars, dilapidated buildings, the waves crashing over the walls on the Malecón. But once I started meeting the people, they quickly became a much bigger part of the Cuban story that I was crafting in my head. I have been to many countries and ingrained myself in many cultures, but I have not met many people as warm, inviting and friendly as Cubans are.

I knew then that I needed to remember to look beyond the colorful surroundings and see the people that were in the center of them. And luckily, the people were interesting photography subjects and were always willing to have their photos taken. It also didn’t hurt that they had the most enchanting eyes I have ever seen. Male or female,  young or old, Cubans have vibrant and captivating eyes which help add to the portraits and candid photos that I was taking. 

A girl poses in the doorway near a restaurant on one of the quiet roads in Eastern Cuba. Photographed on a Tamron 35mm f/1.8 at 1/200, f/3.5.

For this trip, I took a number of Tamron lenses, with the intention of using the combination of prime 35mm &45mm f/1.8 for my portraits, but soon found myself using the 24-70 f/2.8 most often. The main reason for this was convenience and speed. In Cuba, life moves slow, but scenes move fast. To capture fleeting moments, I found that using the 24-70 f/2.8 was giving me great results as I was able to quickly adjust my focal length to frame the scene as I wanted but the results came with sharp details and smooth bokeh (background blur), which is important in a number of portrait situations. Having image stabilization didn’t hurt either for the lower light scenes inside of homes or in the late afternoon shadows.

A bar owner poses as the late afternoon sun sets through the window in Ciego De Avila. Photographed with a Tamron 45mm f/1.8 at 1/40 seconds and f/1.8.

For a month, I traveled by car across the entire country of Cuba with my friend  Alain Lázaro Gutiérrez, from the postcard-worthy tobacco fields in Vinales to the swinging bridge over the tropical Rio Miel in the far eastern town of Baracoa. Sure, I photographed plenty of old cars and rugged buildings, but to me, the people were the real gem of Cuba. They made me feel as if I was always home, always welcome, and always a friend. And I am happy to say, the kind-hearted people I met will always have a lifelong friend in me. But just don’t be surprised if I insist on photographing those eyes. 

Below is a collection of some of my favorite images of the people I met in Cuba.

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and my website to see more photos from my journey through Cuba.

A tobacco farmer places leaves to be dried on the makeshift wooden drying racks in Vinales. Photographed on a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 at 1/200 and f/3.5.

The local Santaria priest in Trinidad poses in front of his alter, located in the entry way of his home. Photographed on a Tamron 24-70mm, 1/125 seconds, f/2.8.

A man smiles out of his window in Baracoa. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 at 1/100 and f/5.6.

A young vendor sells fruits on the road from Baracoa to Moa in the eastern Cuba. Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8. Photographed at 100mm, 1/200 seconds, f/5.6, ISO 200

A man sits in his car as John Lenon keeps a watchful eye at a Beatles-themed bar in Holguin. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/400 and f/4.5.

Colorful fashion is not lost, even in the gritty industrial town of Moa in the north east. Photographed out of a moving car with a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/1600 at f/5.

A young boy climbs the ladder to the roof of his family home on the road to Baracoa in Eastern Cuba. Photographed on a Tamron 24-70 f/28 at 1/640 at f/3.2.

Jose Luis Bos Rodriguez has turned his home into a baseball museum, celebrating the rich history of the sport in Cuba. Photographed with a Tamron 35mm f/1.8 at 1/40 seconds.

Lismarys takes in the tropical beaches that reside on the east coast of the island. This beach was located on the road bewteen Baracoa and Masai, the eastern most point in Cuba. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 at 1/2500 and f/2.8.

Armando, otherwise known as the Cuban Chuck Norris, poses for a portrait in his backyard in the hills surrounding Baracoa. As a cacao farmer, Armando is never apart from his trusty machete, which is the same with most Cuban men in the east. Photographed with a Tamron 35mm f/1.8 at 1/80 and f/2.5.

The owner of the food cart El Bohemio packs up after a full day selling food on the streets of Ciefo De Avila. Photographed on a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/80 seconds and f/2.8.

A girl fixes the chain on her bike in Holguin Cuba. She is smiling at the girls in the photo below. Photographed on a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/640 and f/2.8.

Girls pose for a photo in a home in Holguin. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/250, f/2.8.

The classic cars of Havana yield way to old school jeeps in the eastern Cuban city of Baracoa. This is Jurke taking us to the easternmost point in Cuba, Maisi. Photographed on a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 at 1/4000 at f/2.8 to get sharp details in his hand while driving at 80km an hour.

A family poses in their front yard in the countryside just out of Trinidad. Photographed on a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 at 1/640 and f/3.5.

A man rocks back in his chair while waiting for the day to pass by in Holguin. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/640 and f/2.8.

A boy rests on his bike on the road between Baracoa and Moa. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 at 1/6400 and f/2.8.

A man sits on his bike in the early morning hours in Sancti Spiritus. Photographed with a Tamron 70-200 at 1/80 and f/5.

A man gets his haircut in a barber shop in Sancti Spiritus as a waiting customer stands outside. This photo has haunted me since I took it, as I wish I had taken more variations, including making the man outside in focus and blurring the barber shop, or shooting at f/8 and getting everything in focus. I still like it though, and think it tells the story. Photographed with a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 at 1/30 and f/5.6.

A young girl peers out of her blinds in the city of Trinidad. Tamron 24-70mm, 1/60 second, f/4.5

A girl peers out of her family vehicle in Holguin. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/1250 and f/4.5.

Alex smokes a cigarette as he talks to his neighbor before leaving to work as a taxi driver in Holguin. Photographed with a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 at 1/200 and f/5.6.

Created in partnership with Tamron 

The post Photographing the Character-Filled Faces of Cuba appeared first on Resource Travel.

Their trips to Cuba are no different. The pair doesn’t just take photos. They are social butterflies, and always go out of their way to talk to people and to get an understanding of who they are. On a recent Facebook post, Klosterman tells an inspiring story about two local hip-hop artists that the pair had met.

Yoni and Raudelis, Cuban Hip Hop Artists

Our last night in Havana was a true gift of connection, ending in this portrait. Susan Roderick and I spent hours talking with two hip hop artists we met on the Malecon seawall – Yoni and Raudelis – about life in Cuba and the US and how nearly everything our governments taught us about each other is so wrong – we are all good people at heart. We talked about dreams, believing in yourself, and pushing through life’s challenges. We talked about rap music, Tupac, and Yoni’s late nights getting all his thoughts about Cuba’s struggles onto paper as songs. Yoni taught himself English through music.

Although they make less than $20/month, Yoni insisted over and over that he buy us beers with his $4. After many debates, we finally let him if he allowed us to buy him dinner in return. Hours later we decided they were definitely the right ones to give our final gifts – we had been waiting to find the right people.

Klosterman and Roderick gifted the young Cuban artists a camera, a new phone, and a flip video camera that had been donated by friends back home. The video camera was especially exciting, as the hip hop artist’s had always dreamed of making a music video.

As I pack my bags this morning, eager and excited for my upcoming trip to Cuba with The Giving Lens, I am positive that I will fall in love with the country. Not for it’s smooth rum, tasty cigars, or colorful street scenes, but rather for the people who inhabit the island nation. For too many years, Americans have been deprived of the pleasure of getting to know the real Cuba, the Cuba that is made of 11 million smiling faces, all ready for a talk over a beer. Just don’t be surprised if they know more lyrics to Tupac’s greatest hits than you do.

Keep up with my trip to Cuba on the Resource Travel Instagram and my personal Instagram. 

See more from Kenna Klosterman on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and look out for her upcoming photo tours to Cuba!

See more from Susan Roderick on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Below is a collection of some of my favorite images from Klosterman and Roderick.

Kenna Klosterman

Susan Roderick

Kenna Klosterman

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Susan Roderick

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The post Best Friends Photograph Their Colorful Journey Through Cuba appeared first on Resource Travel.

As the relations between the United States and Cuba thaw at a swift pace, American photographers are chomping at the bit to document the island nation famous for its people and culture.

Photographer Robert Whitman has been documenting the Cuban culture through his lens for years, and his unique take on the people and scenes showcases a culture brimming with pride.

In part one of a mini-documentary series, film director Oriel Pe’er highlights Whitman’s love affair with Cuba by showing quiet scenes of the photographer looking back through his old negatives and prints while he reflects on the memories that they hold.

Being in Cuba makes me feel alive. I love everywhere I go, but Cuba has always been very special to me. I fell in love with the people and the culture. I think this is why I love Cuba so much…it is so real.

With the massive influx of American Tourism already starting, Whitman talks about an upcoming return trip to the island he loves.

I am a little anxious. I know it’s been changing a lot, so I really don’t know what to expect. But I am excited.

And we as viewers are excited too, as we will be lucky enough to see Whitman’s intriguing photographs as he continues to document the lives and culture of the people living in a quickly changing nation.

See more of Whitman’s Cuba photographs on his website and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Cuba Raw : Film Documents A Photographer’s Love Affair With Cuba appeared first on Resource Travel.