Bob Michaels
nobody special
I returned last week from my most recent trip to Cuba. Different from the first 11, this one was to the eastern part of the island. While Cuba is small, not even the size of England, it is 745 miles or 1,200 Km from one end to the other with differing cultures. Santiago de Cuba differs from Havana like San Francisco differs from New York city.
Also very different, I had a traveling companion on this trip, a Cuban originally from the east but now living in Havana who proved invaluable in arranging transportation as we went to places where there is no formal transportation. We traveled by negotiated private car, trucks, a jeep, and buses where tourists are not allowed. We visited Holguin, Gibara, Guaro, Baracoa, and Santiago de Cuba.
We spent 3 days with my friend's family in the small remote community of Guaro. That was a unique experience all by itself. You can read the 1,500 word story here. The included photos were shot in digital color as I wanted to differentiate them from my normal work. I initially approached this as a photo story but realized it worked better as text with accompanying photos.
I carried my normal 2X of the amount of Tri-X, or 25 rolls, I thought I would shoot. I shot 15. I carried 21mm, 28mm and 50mm lenses but my normal 28mm never left my ZI for the whole trip. I did bring a small flash which proved invaluable the one time I used it.
I pass on probably 95% of the photos that others would make as I realize the photos would be an "either/or" and I already have something better. Of the 500+ exposures I made, I have what may be 4 keepers. That is about normal for me. Despite being with someone 99% of the time, all the keepers were made in the other 1% except for the one shot that included my friend.
Some of these 4 keepers have been posted in some of the w/nw topic specific threads but here they are together: (all of these and others are on my website)
street party in Guaro, a small community in eastern Cuba
fisherman repairing net in Gibra on the NE Cuba coast. This town was devestated by hurricane Ike in 2008 and damaged by Sandy in 2012.
Santeria Babalawo or priest guiding one of his goddaughters in connecting with her personal Orisha or spirit.
waiting for the ferrobus in Guaro. The writing on the wall translates "more production and efficiency defending socialism". The only jobs in Guaro were at the sugar mill which was closed and used for repair parts about 40 years ago.
Also very different, I had a traveling companion on this trip, a Cuban originally from the east but now living in Havana who proved invaluable in arranging transportation as we went to places where there is no formal transportation. We traveled by negotiated private car, trucks, a jeep, and buses where tourists are not allowed. We visited Holguin, Gibara, Guaro, Baracoa, and Santiago de Cuba.
We spent 3 days with my friend's family in the small remote community of Guaro. That was a unique experience all by itself. You can read the 1,500 word story here. The included photos were shot in digital color as I wanted to differentiate them from my normal work. I initially approached this as a photo story but realized it worked better as text with accompanying photos.
I carried my normal 2X of the amount of Tri-X, or 25 rolls, I thought I would shoot. I shot 15. I carried 21mm, 28mm and 50mm lenses but my normal 28mm never left my ZI for the whole trip. I did bring a small flash which proved invaluable the one time I used it.
I pass on probably 95% of the photos that others would make as I realize the photos would be an "either/or" and I already have something better. Of the 500+ exposures I made, I have what may be 4 keepers. That is about normal for me. Despite being with someone 99% of the time, all the keepers were made in the other 1% except for the one shot that included my friend.
Some of these 4 keepers have been posted in some of the w/nw topic specific threads but here they are together: (all of these and others are on my website)
street party in Guaro, a small community in eastern Cuba
fisherman repairing net in Gibra on the NE Cuba coast. This town was devestated by hurricane Ike in 2008 and damaged by Sandy in 2012.
Santeria Babalawo or priest guiding one of his goddaughters in connecting with her personal Orisha or spirit.
waiting for the ferrobus in Guaro. The writing on the wall translates "more production and efficiency defending socialism". The only jobs in Guaro were at the sugar mill which was closed and used for repair parts about 40 years ago.
