Un Poco de Color Con Anyel, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Justo antes de irme a la India, mi querido amigo David me envió tres rollos, tres rollos de mi tiempo en Cuba el verano pasado. Uno de los rollos era un rollo de color de mi último día, e incluía mi tiempo con Anyel y Anays. Aquí está para tus ojos Anyel, un escaneo inicial solo para tu revisión ... disfrute y sepa que crearemos más arte esté verano.

Just before I went to Lebanon, my dear friend David sent me three rolls, three rolls of my time in Cuba last summer. One of the rolls was a color roll from my last day, and it included my time with Anyel and Anays. Here it is for your eyes Anyel, an initial scan only for your review ... enjoy and know that we will create more art this summer.

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Melissa, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Ayer Melissa publicó una de nuestras fotos, así que ahora me toca a mí hacer lo mismo. Las palabras que ella había escrito me impresionaron mucho y me demostraron aún más sobre su carácter especial. Si bien las fotos son muy importantes para mí, saber que son importantes para las personas que he fotografiado significa mucho para mí. Este es el caso de Melissa, ¡y estoy agradecida por nuestra amistad!

Esa tarde paseamos por La Habana con Melissa y algunas otras modelos de EGOS, la escuela de modelos de la increíble Gysleda. Por supuesto, todos miraron en nuestra dirección, especialmente los turistas. Esto siempre me gustó, ya que la mayor parte del tiempo están demasiado ocupados mirando edificios antiguos y haciendo selfies con sus gafas de sol, mientras beben agua de sus botellas. ¡Es genial verlos finalmente comprender el activo verdaderamente importante de la isla, su gente!

Al final de la tarde logramos llegar a esta plaza. Noté este lugar detrás de Melissa y el sol atravesó las barras de metal. Estas fueron las fotografías más especiales de la tarde para mí.

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Melissa y El Mar, Santa Maria Del Mar, Cuba, 2018

 

Hace dos años, el océano fue lo suficientemente sereno para que colaboráramos. Aprovechamos la oportunidad para saltar con algunas personas maravillosas, como con Melissa.

Fuimos a la playa e inmediatamente caminamos hacia el agua. La cámara en mano fue la Fuji GA645, que se compró hace unos años específicamente para las sesiones en el mar.

Melissa fue especial ... como el año anterior en la cancha cercana. Nos lo pasamos genial e hicimos imágenes memorables al mismo tiempo.

¡Juntos hemos creado imágenes para las generaciones futuras, los sueños y visiones de increíbles cubanos para que el mundo los vea!

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Hayla + El Campo, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

In the summertime, I would be visiting EGOS and speaking with the various models under the tutelage of the magnificent professor Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega. One such person two years ago was this wonderful young woman, Hayla Fariñas.

We met in the school two years ago and immediately set up a session along with another model. We had two choices, and decided to go to the countryside before the beach because it was an easier start to our photography. 

As we drove around in Idiovel's car, we ran across this small shack which was a fruit stand later in the morning. I was familiar with the shop's owner from past visits and knew that he would be more than ok with our presence.

The young women went ahead and made great use of the space, as well as some of the fruits and vegetables remaining from the previous day. That was the case with this frame, and what a spontaneous image it was!

EGOS is back in session now, and I can only imagine the energy in the school as Profe Gysleda does her thing!

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Luis Miguel + Arbor, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2018

El año pasado, gracias a Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega, se me apareció una nueva visión ... y el trabajo con los bailarines de Cuba mejoró increíblemente. Un día, cuando fuimos a EGOS, Gysleda me dijo que era necesario incluir un bailarín específico, su amigo. Ella le pidió que fuera a la escuela al final de la semana para hablar con nosotros.

Por supuesto, Luis Miguel Jorge Benítez llegó a tiempo a la escuela y preparamos un plan para nuestra colaboración. Aunque Luis Miguel era un profesional, por supuesto, no podía imaginar el resultado de nuestra mañana siguiente.

Cuando llegamos a las canchas de racquetball, él estaba listo con varias ropas y personalidades. Honestamente, fue un momento increíble ... como si estuviéramos en un teatro de la ciudad. Teníamos dos horas para documentar sus ideas, sus sueños ... ¡y realmente necesitábamos mucho más!

Después de las canchas de racquetball decidimos caminar hacia los árboles. Anays Diz Pe y yo seguimos a Luis Miguel y quedamos muy impresionados con su idea de trepar al árbol. Me pareció peligroso, pero lo hizo sin esfuerzo. ¡Anays y yo lo fotografiamos al mismo tiempo, terminando nuestra sesión un gran estilo cubano!

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Last year, thanks to Gysleda, a new vision appeared to me ... and the work with the dancers of Cuba improved incredibly. One day when we went to EGOS, Gysleda told me that it was necessary to include a specific dancer, her friend. She asked him to come to the school the end of the week to talk to us.

Of course Luis Miguel was in school on time, and we prepared a plan for our collaboration. Although Luis Miguel was a professional of course, I could not imagine the outcome of our next morning.

When we arrived at the racquetball courts, he was ready with several clothes, and personalities. Honestly it was an incredible moment ... like we were in a theater in the city. We had two hours to document his ideas, his dreams ... and we really needed a lot more!

After the racquetball courts we decided to walk to the trees. Anays and I followed Luis Miguel, and were so impressed with his idea to climb the tree. It looked dangerous to me, but he did it effortlessly. Anays and I photographed him at the same time, ending our session in great Cuban style! 

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La Modelo + El Edificio, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Afortunadamente, el verano pasado en Cuba fue tan increíble que me compensó el verano pasado. Gracias a los brillantes diseños de Yudel R. Contreras Garcia y al increíble talento de Luna Hb, tal imagen era posible. Estoy trabajando diligentemente para hacer posible el próximo verano, ¡así que es mejor que todos mis amigos en Cuba estén listos!

Gracias también a Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega! 

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El Verano Pasado, Cuba, 2018

¡Sentado en mi casa esta noche y escaneando la película del año pasado en Cuba!

A Little Color With Anyel, Havana, Cuba, 2018

Esta misma noche, Anyel publicó un recuerdo de años atrás, mostrándome cuánto recordaba nuestro pasado. A ella realmente le encanta crear imágenes memorables, y tiene un talento increíble delante de la lente.

Justo antes de irme al Líbano, mi querido amigo David me envió tres rollos, tres rollos de mi tiempo en Cuba el verano pasado. Uno de los rollos era un rollo de color de mi último día, e incluía mi tiempo con Anyel y Anays. Aquí está para tus ojos Anyel, un escaneo inicial solo para tu revisión ... disfrute y sepa que crearemos más arte el próximo verano. ¡En unas pocas semanas el resto de la película estará listo para compartir con ustedes!

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This same night, Anyel published a memory from years ago, showing me how much she remembered our past. She really loves creating memorable images, and she has incredible talent in front of the lens.

Just before I went to Lebanon, my dear friend David sent me three rolls, three rolls of my time in Cuba last summer. One of the rolls was a color roll from my last day, and it included my time with Anyel and Anays. Here it is for your eyes Anyel, an initial scan only for your review ... enjoy and know that we will create more art next summer. In a few weeks the rest of the film will be ready to share with you!

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Note: This frame was exposed with a Hasselblad 503 CW/100 mm C lens.

The Magnificent Tamy, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Four images are being shared because one would fail to represent her power in front of the lens. A few years ago I was honored with our first collaboration, and this past summer Tamy elevated that honor to a new level by graciously allowing me once again to document her incomparable spirit.

We photographed in the countryside for our first session, and decided to photograph in the city for our second. On both occasions of course she was ready in advance and needed nothing in order to be prepared. Her selection of clothing was perfect as well as her presentation.

On this morning we drove out to the Spanish Embassy to begin our work, and the security guard was more than impressed with the elegance of our subject. It was noticeable on his face as I thanked him for his permission to use the space. We exposed four rolls and then moved onto an apartment building perhaps three blocks away.

The columns, while more recent than the embassy, are just as majestic. It so happened that a young woman was washing the floor, and allowed us to photograph while she was working. It made for the most beautiful reflection, while at least two dozen onlookers enjoyed Tamy's performance in public.

At this time the sun was getting a bit warm, but Tamy allowed us to continue onward to the National Museum of Fine Art. She used the beautiful columns there once again, as well as the shadows in between. It was a proper ending to a most incredible session... and made my last week on the island a true blessing.

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Note: These images were made with a Fuji XT-2 with the 56 mm XF lens.

The Magnificent Tamy, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Four images are being shared because one would fail to represent her power in front of the lens. A few years ago I was honored with our first collaboration, and this past summer Tamy elevated that honor to a new level by graciously allowing me once again to document her incomparable spirit.

We photographed in the countryside for our first session, and decided to photograph in the city for our second. On both occasions of course she was ready in advance and needed nothing in order to be prepared. Her selection of clothing was perfect as well as her presentation.

On this morning we drove out to the Spanish Embassy to begin our work, and the security guard was more than impressed with the elegance of our subject. It was noticeable on his face as I thanked him for his permission to use the space. We exposed four rolls and then moved onto an apartment building perhaps three blocks away.

The columns, while more recent than the embassy, are just as majestic. It so happened that a young woman was washing the floor, and allowed us to photograph while she was working. It made for the most beautiful reflection, while at least two dozen onlookers enjoyed Tamy's performance in public.

At this time the sun was getting a bit warm, but Tamy allowed us to continue onward to the National Museum of Fine Art. She used the beautiful columns there once again, as well as the shadows in between. It was a proper ending to a most incredible session... and made my last week on the island a true blessing.

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Note: These images were made with a Fuji XT-2 with the 56 mm XF lens.

Anays + El Campo, Campo Florido, Cuba, 2017

El año pasado tuve el honor una vez más de documentar los talentos indescriptibles de Anays Diz Pe, con la ayuda de mis queridos hermanos Alejandro Peña Gutiérrez y Arley. ¡Saber que estas tres personas me estarán esperando en dos semanas es suficiente, sabiendo que están esperando repetir tal sesión, estas dos semanas pasarán aún más rápido!

En el Oldsmobile de 1951 de Arley, volveremos al campo una vez más en busca de esos espacios, escenarios en los que Anays pueda actuar. Hay muy pocos en mi trabajo que puedan hacerlo, y que pueden hacerlo de una manera tan efímera. Le pedimos permiso al propietario de esta casa, le informamos a Anays que todo está listo y la vimos hacer suya esta casa.

Ella nació para ser fotografiada y para ser escuchada. Por mi parte, la escucho perfectamente y, junto con Alejandro Peña Gutiérrez, estaremos listos con nuestras cámaras para sus actuaciones de este verano.

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Last year I had the honor once again to document the indescribable talents of Anays, with the help of my dearest brothers Alejandro and Arley. Knowing that these three people will be waiting for me in two weeks is enough, knowing that they are waiting to repeat such a session will make these two weeks pass by even more quickly!

In Arley's 1951 Oldsmobile we will head out to the countryside once again in search of such homes, stages for Anays to perform. There are very few in my work who are able to do so, and who can do so in such an efforltess manner. We asked the owner of this home for permission, let Anays know that all is ready, and watched her make this home her own.

She was born to be photographed, and to be heard. I for one hear her perfectly and, along with Alejandro, will be ready with our cameras for her performances this summer.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503 CW/60 mm combination and scanned for preview purposes only through the negative sleeve.

Jasmine + El Mirage, Los Angeles, California, 2016

Two years ago my session with Jasmine occurred in the most spontaneous of ways. We had communicated through email earlier but had yet to set up a date to collaborate. Then the day before my drive from northern to Southern California we decided to meet at El Mirage the next afternoon.

We had never met before nor had we reviewed the outfits. The anticipation on my way down almost drove me crazy. When we met she was as sweet as in the messages, and was more than prepared for our session. The sun was just perfect but the wind had picked up a bit. Nonetheless Jasmine performed flawlessly for the lens and for each frame she gave it her all.

She embraced the wind and used it to her advantage. Her hair was just perfect and her movements in line with the wind. Even more amazing she withstood the dust that was in both of our faces. The images we made on that day will remain long after we are gone, and are a testament to her spirit on that beautiful afternoon.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination.

Una Niña del Campo, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2017

Uno de los aspectos más increíbles de Cuba es que justo cuando crees que has visto la más hermosa, otra cara hermosa aparece frente a la cámara. Habíamos planeado fotografiar a dos primas que vivían en las afueras de La Habana y llegamos a su casa para planear la sesión. Cuando llegamos, había dos personas más esperando, amigas del campo que habían venido con sus padres para visitar.

Su curiosidad fue, por supuesto, en la pantalla, ya que vieron un hombre norteamericana con sus amigas sobre el día siguiente. Cuando se les preguntó estaban tan contentas de ser incluidas y también querían ponerse trajes de ballet, al igual que sus amigas.

La sesión fue planeada para la tarde si tuvimos la suerte de tener sol. Cuando llegamos, tuvimos sol y todas las niñas estaban listas. Sus presentaciones fueron perfectas, cada chica con su propia característica. Salimos a la carretera y encontramos otra salida, ya que casi todas las salidas en Cuba son perfectas para la fotografía.

Había, por supuesto, cuatro niñas, así que tres tuvieron que esperar mientras uno era fotografiado. Sin embargo, fueron muy pacientes y me enorgullecieron de ser su fotógrafo. Esta joven se fue al campo al día siguiente, pero pudimos tener las fotografías impresas para ellos antes de que se fueran.

Con suerte, visitarán a sus amigas una vez más este mes de julio y ¡ojalá podamos hacerlo todo de nuevo!

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Liliam + Corner, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2017

Summer on the island is filled with familiar places, faces and memories. Such is this portrait of wonderful Liliam, one model from the school run by Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega. Every week we visit the school and every week we see something different.

That morning we headed out to Guanabacoa very early, along with Noel Castellano. Both of them woke up well before sunrise just to be ready for us, as we picked them up from their homes. Noel was kind enough to meet us on the street so that we could make it out on time.

The sun came up very strong this morning, without a hint of clouds. Thus we worked quickly before it was too much for the models. Liliam was quite brave and did her best regardless, as in this portrait. We tried to find some spaced which allowed for some shade, yet looked for the small spots of sunshine to illuminate her light eyes.

I look forward to this summer and hope that we can collaborate once again. In less than six weeks hopefully we will meet once again at the school, and see the new faces all over again!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted alongside a Hasselblad V system.

Nathy + Window, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2017

It has taken me over a dozen years to begin to see below the surface on the island, and in those dozen years the families have bestowed upon me the deepest of honors: access to their most precious, their children. While I do enjoy walking the streets and making the random portraits, it is these lifelong relationships which fuel my drive to return year after year.

A single portrait of a laborer in the streets of Havana is priceless, but to have these children call me while on the island for a session is beyond my capacity to describe. Over the last few years, the number of tourists with cameras on the island has exploded.

This past year, one question kept creeping up on me: has the sentiment between photographer and subject on the streets disappeared in the city? Years ago, when I walked around with my camera on a tripod, the reaction was much less skeptical and much more inquisitive. The past few years have proven the reverse for me, while my relationships with the families has proven to be the best of investments.

Such a relationship is the reason behind this young dancer's portrait. On this afternoon her father called to tell me that the weather looked good, and we might have a chance at an afternoon session. We of course had our cameras with us, and made our way to their home. The parents wanted something different, and so we drove out to the countryside.

It was a familiar neighborhood, but we decided to cross to the other side of the railroad tracks in search of homes. We ran across this one and its owner granted us permission immediately. So we set up our cameras and began at this location first. We were able to use the outside, as well as the inside of the home, making for some memorable images.

She was just magnificent, and showed us how much she had changed over the past few years. Such a session in direct sunlight would have been very difficult for her then, but this year she reveled in the sunlight. She and her family will always have my admiration.

It is my sincerest honor to be given this opportunity, and in six weeks I hope to repeat this session on another glorious afternoon in Cuba!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100 III.
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Me ha llevado más de una docena de años comenzar a ver debajo de la superficie de la isla, y en esos doce años las familias me han otorgado los honores más profundos: acceso a sus seres más preciados, sus hijos. Si bien disfruto pasear por las calles y hacer retratos al azar, son estas relaciones de por vida lo que alimenta mi impulso de regresar año tras año.

Un solo retrato de un obrero en las calles de La Habana no tiene precio, pero hacer que estos niños me llamen mientras estoy en la isla para una sesión está más allá de mi capacidad para describirlo. En los últimos años, el número de turistas con cámaras en la isla se ha disparado.

El año pasado, una pregunta me siguió: ¿ha desaparecido en la ciudad el sentimiento entre el fotógrafo y el sujeto en las calles? Hace años, cuando caminaba con mi cámara en un trípode, la reacción era mucho menos escéptica y mucho más inquisitiva. Los últimos años han demostrado lo contrario para mí, mientras que mis relaciones con las familias han demostrado ser las mejores inversiones.

Tal relación es la razón detrás del retrato de esta joven bailarína. Esta tarde, su padre llamó para decirme que el clima se veía bien, y que podríamos tener la oportunidad de una sesión de la tarde. Por supuesto, teníamos nuestras cámaras con nosotros y nos dirigimos a su casa. Los padres querían algo diferente, así que salimos al campo.

Era un vecindario familiar, pero decidimos cruzar al otro lado de las vías del tren en busca de casas. Nos encontramos con este y su propietario nos dio permiso de inmediato. Así que configuramos nuestras cámaras y comenzamos en este lugar primero. Pudimos usar el exterior y el interior de la casa, creando algunas imágenes memorables.

Ella fue simplemente magnífica, y nos mostró cuánto había cambiado en los últimos años. Tal sesión en la luz del sol directa habría sido muy difícil para ella entonces, pero este año ella se deleitó en la luz del sol. Ella y su familia siempre tendrán mi admiración.

Es un honor sincero que me den esta oportunidad, ¡y en seis semanas espero repetir esta sesión en otra tarde gloriosa en Cuba!

Cami + Abandoned Structure, Near Los Angeles, California, 2017

This past year was a truly remarkable one thanks in part to this exquisite dancer, and her incredible heart. She responded to my casting call for dancers two years ago, and never let the communication go as we went back and forth. She was totally engaged in the concept, giving her 100% throughout the process.

Even before we met she shared the clothing options, all dark and timeless according to my preferences. This was our second session outside of Los Angeles, and was just as exciting as the first. The night before was a sleepless one for me.

Watching Cami move from one expression to another was like sitting down for a performance. There were times when it was necessary to remind myself that my job was to document the performance, while still enjoying it. To have been granted the opportunity was both an honor and a privilege; and my hope is that the images are a testament to her physical talents and spiritual kindness.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/100mm combination onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Dancers + Friends, León, Nicaragua, December of 2017

In a very short time the dearest of friends were made in the city of my father's young adulthood. A simple visit to a ballet school in León resulted in us being embraced like family, in the most beautiful group of dancers most willing to create art.

Antonella and Jose two such beautiful people. Without reservation they offered themselves to the camera on several occasions, with the latter also coming along to help us with the younger dancers one afternoon. We had less than a week together yet were able to create memorable images nonetheless.

For some reason this past December the weather was different. Usually Nicaragua is sunny between December and February, However it was cloudy on so many afternoons, including the afternoon when we made this image. Luckily we had some stretches of sunshine, giving us such an exposure.

This year I will be prepared to honor the school, its students and certainly the professor as well. The trust has been placed in me, and in December the effort will be put forth to make the best images possible. 

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503 CW/180 mm combination, scanned through the negative sleeve for a preview of the work!

Ballerinas + Countryside, León, Nicaragua, December of 2017

Almost 45 years to the day, and almost 70 years after my father set foot in this city, this collaboration was born with a bit of happenstance. We had finished our work with a local NGO and were on our way out of the city when we saw a street advertisement for a ballet performance. We asked around and made our way to the school.

Inside the school was a handsome man directing a few workers on a project. Without much preparation we approached him and talked about the possibility of a collaboration with his students. He spoke in a most humble manner, and agreed immediately while inviting us to the performance. We changed our plans immediately and made our way to the theatre early in order to get the video camera ready.

So there we were, in the city of my father's young adulthood, watching a ballet performance and hoping for my photography to take hold in that beautiful city. The very next day we visited the school and made arrangements to work with the dancers.

This frame was exposed during our first session with the older students. We had found this beautiful spot just outside of the city, and asked the owners of the land for their permission. They gave it without hesitation and we made our way here with a handful of dancers. The trees all around us produced a beautiful combination of shadows and highlights, and the dancers presented their art within this mix.

My hope is that this year will allow us to dedicate much more time to the school, and these most gentle of people.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503CW and 60 mm C lens.

Model + Car, Havana, Cuba, 2017

Here is yet another image from my time with Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega and her wonderful models. We were finished with our afternoon session and walked to this parking lot to end it all on film. The models were gracious enough to allow me 30 minutes, and Gysleda was as usual more than helpful. 

We found this old classic and decided to include it rather than the more polished cars nearby. It seemed out of place in this parking lot, which caters to tourists mostly. It however was perfect for us!

Four or so took their places in front of the car, and some took it upon themselves to climb up as well with the owners permission of course. People looked on but that did little to affect the models as they moved from one pose to another. We exposed a few rolls of film and headed back to the school as the sun set.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Rachel in a Piece by Yudel, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

Two summers ago this was the spot on so many days. Getting out of the city and heading to the countryside gave the models the space in which to be creative, and to breathe freely. On this morning we were accompanied by the magnificent Rachel Hortensia Lopez Thompson in pieces provided by the most talented Yudel R. Contreras Garcia.

It is an incredible honor to be provided fabrics by one of the premiere designers on the island, and to have such a talent on whom such pieces could be placed. This is to me the reward of being engaged for a dozen years in Cuba, to have the trust of the community in these collaborations. There is something so magical about really knowing the people being photographed. All this of course was made possible thanks to the genius of Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega and her modeling school at ModaEgos.

We had worked together a few times before, making this session so natural. She was always on time and always in a good mood even though we usually left for our location an hour before sunrise. For this session we drove to a neighborhood familiar to us about half an hour out of the city. We located four spots and began just as the sun came up. 

The formula is by now familiar to all of us, starting with 400 ISO film and then moving on to 100 ISO. This allowed us to take advantage of the early light and let Rachel work with a more subdued sun. By the time we arrived to this house it was perhaps 7:45 a.m. and the sun had cleared the trees across the small path. Rachel was of course ready in her third outfit and we exposed a few rolls, both in black and white and in color.

This beautiful spirit has since moved to another country, yet remains in contact with me to this day. She has my appreciation for the beautiful images she more than helped us create, and I do hope that one day we can continue this collaboration!

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/100 mm combination.