Cuban in Front of His House, Manzanillo, Cuba, 2016

I do miss the days when we used to drive into the countryside. We’d never know who we were going to run into, and the sessions were both instant and spontaneous. For this man's portrait we drove deep into the countryside near Manzanillo and ran across a small group of houses. Both young and older people were sitting around chatting when we arrived. They greeted us warmly and we had a conversation about the area, about their neighborhood. Once it came time for the photography they agreed and we set up for their portraits. The contrast between light and shadow deep in the woods was fascinating, albeit a bit difficult to print in the darkroom. I am sincerely blessed to have been introduced to the world through photography and hope to return to this area later this year.

Etsy 

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Man + House, Campo, Cuba

I do miss the days when we used to drive into the countryside. We’d never know who we were going to run into, and the sessions were both instant and spontaneous. Great times with genuine people!

Etsy 

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Young Girl + House, Crimea, Cuba, 2015

Driving into the Cuban countryside is a privilege, both because few can do so and also because of the people we meet. We arrived at this spot by happenstance, as we turned left off of the main road to venture. We met a man at a fruit stand and purchased a few items, all the while having a conversation and making his portrait. He told us of his village and invited us to visit. We decided to go and, long story short, ended up photographing this young girl's neighborhood. I'm grateful for her time, and the warmth that her family showed us during our times there. It's been many years since 2015 and I look forward to the possibility of visiting them once again in 2023.

Etsy 

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Young Boy + Rice Field, Manzanillo, Cuba, 2017

I remember this image like it was yesterday. We had driven out to the eastern part of the island and were concentrating on a family living in the city for the photography. We also were able to drive to the countryside and meet some wonderful people. This young boy actually lived in the city but liked to visit his grandparents in the countryside. Alejandro was able to pull up within 100 meters or so of the house, but was limited due to the muddy path. 

So I decided to get out and walk the rest of the way to speak with the family. They were very kind and welcomed me onto their property. Their home was a traditional one, constructed of wood. Their grandson showed interest in the camera and so we decided to play around, as he grabbed this tool and headed into the rice field. It was a great experience and one for which I am forever grateful. This is what the island means to me, incredible people and honest interactions.

Etsy 

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Trabajdores, Campo, Cuba, 2017

¡hermosos recuerdos del año 2017!

¡gracias a los trabajadores fuertes en el campo!

PS Negative exposed with a Hasselblad 503CW/100mm combination, the print toned in Selenium for permanence.

Etsy 

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Cutting Grass + Freeway, Cuba, 2010

Hopefully soon visiting the countryside will be possible. Until then having this man’s portrait reminds me of better times. I can still remember releasing the shutter while he worked hard on the side of the road. We were driving in the eastern portion of the island when we spotted him working tirelessly. Even when we stopped to speak with him and ask for his permission, he continued to work without pause. 

Etsy 

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Cuban + Book in the Park, La Habana, Cuba

In between sessions we rarely do any work, other than organization.

This afternoon we happen to be sitting in a small park and notice the traffic walking by us. While speaking about some differences between us, the tripod is extended and the camera mounted.

We continue having a lively conversation and, in between making points, as a person now and then to pause for their portrait. Incredibly, almost all pause for a quick snapshot. The man above does so and makes a minute to tell us about himself.

He loves books and works in a book store. He is always reading and proof of such is in his hands. We make note of his name and address as he bids farewell to us. We finish our discussion and then walk to a restaurant for something to eat.

Having become familiar with formal portraits, this single image makes me wonder a bit about the past few years. It seems just as magical to make portraits in this way, a split second decision without much preparation and anticipation. 

Etsy 

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Claudia + Wind, La Habana, Cuba, 2016

Han pasado cuatro años desde mi último verano en Cuba y más desde este retrato de Claudia. Tenía diez años cuando conocí a su familia y ahora está en la universidad, haciendo su propio camino. Estoy orgulloso de sus logros hasta ahora y espero con ansias lo que hará en el futuro.

Etsy 

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Melissa + Racquetball Court, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2018

Another day in the darkroom reliving my mornings at the racquetball courts of Cuba. This is one of my favorite places in the world for photography, the light is just perfect. Those sunglasses were just right, served her eyes so well under the glaring sun!

Thank you Melissa and ModaEgos for everything!

PS Negative exposed with a Hasselblad 503CW/180mm combination, the print toned in Selenium. 

Etsy 

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Four Images of Tamy, Campo, Cuba, 2018

What makes these images even more incredible is that they were made within an hour or so one morning. For these images to have been possible, Tamy needed to be ready and we needed to reach this part of the countryside well before sunrise. 

We decided on this neighborhood a day in advance, but the specific locations depended on how the light was in the morning. This made her professionalism that much more valuable. We used this location once in 2018 and never again. These prints were made in the darkroom yesterday, and toned in selenium this morning.

It was so early that the grass was soaked with the morning dew. Nonetheless Tamy was kind enough to walk onto the baseball field without hesitation, even with the animals in the distance. While these images are normally made in the city, to bring her unparalleled talents into the countryside made me proud. Dance after all is for everyone, from city dwellers to farmers.

Etsy 

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Hands of Laborer, Countryside, Cuba, 2018

The printing of my time in the Cuban countryside continues this week, reliving the memories made with each image is a remarkable experience. Each represents a day in my life, and a lesson learned from the subjects. Ask about an image and a conversation begins... the gift of photography continues.

Etsy 

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Cuban + Home, Countryside, Cuba, 2018

The printing of my time in the Cuban countryside continues this week, reliving the memories made with each image is a remarkable experience. Each of these images represents a day in my life, and a lesson learned from the subjects. Ask about an image and a conversation begins... the gift of photography continues.

This kind man was watching us photographing the house across the street and then returned with an incredible gift. Here we were parked on his land and he takes it upon himself to be the generous one. What a great man!

Etsy 

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The Hands of a Farmer, Cuba, 2018

The work in the darkroom continues, concentrating on the countryside of Cuba. I wonder how many fields these hands have worked, how many meals they have provided to the man's family. Every line has significance, as well as every deformity. A single image cannot do justice to decades of hard work, this I understand. 

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Negative + Couple, Countryside, Cuba, 2018

En el cuarto oscuro con los retratos del campo cubano... frente a mi cafetería preferida, mejor comida y servicio que los mejores hoteles de la ciudad.

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Daughter of Farmer, Countryside, Cuba, 2017

As the cliche goes, there's a story behind every photograph and this one is a great example. A year earlier we were driving in the countryside looking for people when we saw a tree with a light bulb hanging from one of its branches. Once we stopped we also noticed a small bench. It was right across the street from this young woman's house, and her mother came out when she noticed us.

She was very sweet and was just wondering as to why we had stopped. We learned that she was responsible for the spot, making it so that she can sit peacefully in the evenings on the side of the road. She learned that I was a photographer and told me that her daughter really wanted to be a model. We were invited over to the house and ended up meeting her daughter, this young woman in the picture.

We exchanged information and tried our hardest to make it happen in the last week of my summer but weren't able to do so in 2017. When I went back to Cuba in 2018 I never forgot the promise to make a session happen. We called her family and drove the hour to her home for a talk. She was so happy to see us and we made plans for the next week.

When we arrived her boyfriend and mother were helping her get ready. Seeing the family sitting together to help her realize one of her wishes was heartwarming. What was even better was that in between our visits she became pregnant, and was very much looking forward to modeling for herself and her future baby. It was a great afternoon, an experience to remember thanks to this portrait.

Note: Medium-format negative printed onto 11x14 fiber paper and toned in selenium today.

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Rachel + Yudel, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

Earlier last month Rachel reached out to me regarding these images, as it seemed she was missing them. It happened to be our last session in 2016, in one our favorite places outside of the city. Many of my friends from Cuba have had their images made here, and some with that beautiful, blue chair in the background. It feels great when a dear friend gets a hold of me years after a session, tells me that the photography had an effect on all those involved.

Thanks to Yudel R. Contreras Garcia for the beautiful, hand-made outfits... and to Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega for making all of this possible!

El mes pasado, Rachel me contactó con respecto a estas imágenes, ya que parecía que no las tenía. Resultó ser nuestra última sesión en 2016, en uno de nuestros lugares favoritos fuera de la ciudad. Muchos de mis amigos de Cuba se han hecho sus imágenes aquí, y algunos con esa hermosa silla azul de fondo. Se siente muy bien cuando un querido amigo me contacta años después de una sesión, me dice que la fotografía tuvo un efecto en todos.

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Anays + El Mar, Santa Maria Del Mar, Cuba, 2018

Incredible how it's been almost three years since we walked into the water for this image. While this year looks like one without travel, it's a blessing to have the time to finally print my life's work. 

Anays and her family have treated me like a brother since we first met in 2008, and this portrait was made exactly 10 years later. My hope is that they are safe, and I look forward to the day when we can return to these waters.

Thank you Caridad for making all of this possible, and thank you Idiovel for getting us there!

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Es increíble cómo han pasado casi tres años desde que entramos al agua para esta imagen. Si bien este año parece uno sin viajes, es una bendición tener tiempo para finalmente imprimir el trabajo de mi vida.

Anays y su familia me han tratado como a un hermano desde que nos conocimos en 2008, y este retrato se hizo exactamente 10 años después. Mi esperanza es que estén sanos y espero con ansias el día en que podamos regresar a estas aguas.

¡Gracias Caridad por hacer posible todo esto y gracias Idiovel por llevarnos allí!

Note: Negative exposed with a Fuji GA645i, printed in the darkroom onto Ilford 11x14 fiber paper, toned in selenium for permanence.

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Grandfather + Window, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

This is the grandfather of the young girl in the previous post. He allowed me to make his portrait against the window of the neighboring house. The family moved from the east to the capital in order to improve their lives, even though the majority of those in the city see them as squatters from the countryside. They welcomed us with open arms and were as elegant as any in the country. My respect for this man is immense, and I hope to see him next summer.

Note: Negative exposed with a Hasselblad 501CM/100mm combination, printed in the darkroom onto Ilford 11x14 fiber paper, toned in selenium for permanence.

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Portrait in a Chair, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Algunos dirían que esta forma de fotografía no es documental, que mover una silla o tener una conversación sobre vestuario y peinado es ocultar la verdad. Algunos dicen que esto es artificial, mostrando algo diferente a la realidad.

Les digo que todo el mundo tiene sueños y que su realidad está fuera de su control. ¿Por qué no hablar con ella y entender cómo le gustaría que la fotografiaran? ¿Por qué deberíamos imponer las nociones del mundo de su país y su sociedad? ¿Qué pasa con sus pensamientos y sueños?

Esta joven viene del campo y vive en un pequeño grupo de casas de madera. La gente de la ciudad llama a estas comunidades 'llegan y ponen', viniendo a la ciudad desde los pueblos y construyendo casas improvisadas ilegalmente.

Sin embargo, son como migrantes en todas partes, buscando una vida mejor para sus familias. Conocimos a su comunidad mientras Idiovel me conducía por el campo y terminamos conduciendo hasta su pequeño pueblo. De alguna manera terminamos frente a la casa de sus abuelos y nos invitaron amablemente a entrar.

Durante las próximas semanas regresamos muchas veces, tuvimos múltiples sesiones de fotografía con la comunidad, grabamos un video musical para su primo (una aspirante a artista) e hicimos este retrato muy especial de una joven sin paralelo en su belleza y fuerza.

Note: Negative exposed with a Hasselblad 501CM/100mm combination, printed in the darkroom onto Ilford 11x14 fiber paper, toned in selenium for permanence.

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Dancer + Freeway Exit, 16 x 20 Enlarged Proof, Bauta, Cuba, 2015

This was the third print from today in the darkroom, a 16x20 enlarged proof of a young ballerina in Bauta, Cuba. During that summer we drove further away from Havana looking for opportunities, and found a great connection in this beautiful town. 

We were driving through the town when I wondered out loud to Alejandro about the possibility of a dance school. He doubted if this town had such a school. As he was speaking, this young girl was dressed in her dance outfit with two adults on the sidewalk. We stopped immediately and were informed that there was a school, and that it offered private lessons to serious students.

They pointed out the school to us and we headed that way. The teacher was very nice and told us to come back later, after he had spoken with the parents. When we did return this young girl and another were waiting in the park along with their parents. This is what makes photography so incredible, meeting people one minute and then creating the next. 

The spot in the images is the exit off of the highway for the town. It looked so beautiful and we offered it to the parents as our set. They accepted and we had a great afternoon with the two families. At first she had doubts about her abilities, but she was perfect once the photography started. It's great to see her movements on one print, makes me feel that the enlarged proofs for Cuba are perfect!

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