Cuba: Faces I Remember

By on June 23, 2015 in Cuba

Cuba Portraits

Cuba people: Tia

Tia

PART 2 of 3: I was told the people of Cuba are pretty. One of my favorite photographers, Graciela Iturbide, says, “I need to have complicity with the people to be able to take their photos.” Following her advice, I enjoyed a fleeting moment with each of these subjects before making their portraits. These are the results.

Cuba people: Miguel

Miguel

Cuba people: Ofelia

Ofelia

Cuba people: Bakers

Bakers

Cuba people: Yeilen and Angeli

Yeilen and daughter Angeli

Esteban

Esteban

“If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument.”
– Eve Arnold

Cuba people: Idami

Idami

Cuba people: Abelardus

Abelardus

Cuba people: Thiago

Thiago

Cuba people: Donald

Donald

Cuba people: Roberto

Roberto

Read Part 1 of the Cuba Series

CUBA TRAVEL TIPS: Unless you’re an adventurous traveler, I recommend you book travel through a tour group or a tour guide, or visit with someone who knows the country well. Spanish is essential if you plan to venture outside the major tourist destinations on your own. At this time American cell phones and credit/ATM cards will not function. Tourists can buy one hour internet access cards in the major tourist hotels, like the Parque Central or the Saratoga. The internet connection is only available in the lobby area, not in the sleeping rooms. While the vintage American cars are a charming novelty, they are not the best choices for taxi service. Try the yellow taxis outside the major hotels and look for an English-speaking driver if you don’t know Spanish. We hired a taxi driver outside the Saratoga who conducted an informative two-hour tour in English and drove us to the airport for approximately $60. It was the best money we spent on the trip. With circumstances quickly changing due to the U.S. recognition you should search for updates before planning a visit. This information was current on June 23, 2015.
Coming Soon: A Tour of Havana

8 Responses to Cuba: Faces I Remember

  1. A. Fisher June 24, 2015 at 7:08 am #

    The portraits are amazing. I am a U.S. Expat living in Southern Mexico. Your posts have made me reconsider a trip to Cuba. I have heard others report similarly to you. There are so many places in Mexico I’ve yet to visit. I think they will be first.

    Reply
  2. jim johnston June 24, 2015 at 10:54 am #

    Great article and fantastic photos Doug! You really captured the feeling of the place.

    Reply
    • Doug Hall June 24, 2015 at 1:14 pm #

      Thank you, Jim! We need lunch again soon.

      Reply
  3. Patrick Aaby June 25, 2015 at 3:57 am #

    You are gifted artist in every sense of the word. I love reading your insights and viewing your amazing photos, Doug.

    Reply
  4. John Pike June 28, 2015 at 9:40 am #

    Love this. You are able to evoke such reality in your portraits. The taxis are great and are similar to the taxis and buses that I remember from DaNang, Vietnam. What manufacturer produced them? In DaNang the taxis and buses were almost exclusively Lambretta. Even though the country is impoverished, the people seem to have a vibrance that is missing in our poor areas.

    Reply
  5. Celeste Bracewell June 29, 2015 at 11:18 am #

    I’ve loved all three of the series. Returned to this one to see the photos again…pictures that reflect the quote: “If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument.”– Eve Arnold

    Reply
  6. Tom Piacentini June 30, 2015 at 3:50 pm #

    Hi Doug,
    Just took a 10 minute break in a very hectic day and your photos took me to another world! Glad you love what you do so your friends can enjoy it too.

    Reply

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  1. Havana Through My Eyes - J DOUG HALL | Writer, Photographer - June 27, 2015

    […] Cuba. This is Part 3 of 3. Previously I offered my observations of modern-day Cuba, and provided a gallery of portraits of the Cuban people. The final installment is a look at […]

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