Hi everyone
Going to Cuba + the Bahamas at the end of August/ Beginning of Sept. (very excited!)
I will be traveling with two cameras: my point and shoot digital (Canon SD600) and my Film SLR Canon Rebel.
Very excited about all the photo ops in Cuba!
Looking for tips/ suggestions for the following:
1. Aside from a UV filter- would you recommend any others to combat the haze and bright sun I will assume will be an issue in Cuba in August
2. How to back up information stored on my Digital? Last year I was in Europe and Israel. I backed up my memory cards once a week by walking into flim shops and paying for the owner to burn a CD for me. Will I be able to do that in Cuba with any ease at all?
3. Photographing People/ Buildings in Cuba. Any specific was to approach individuals? Any state laws I need to be aware of?
I have heard that some museums charge a fee for being able to take pictures. Is that correct? Any other situation where I may be charged a fee when the camera comes out?
Any "do not miss / watch out" suggestions for people who have been to Cuba in the past with a strong interest in photography?
Thanks!!
There are a few places in Havana and other tourists centres where you can burn CDs, but nothing is easy in Cuba. Much better to bring your laptop, if possible. (If you can't bring a laptop, at least buy some extra memory to tide you over until you find an Internet Cafe that's working.)
No problems whatsoever shooting anything and anyone in Cuba, simply stay away from military and police installations, same as any other destination. Cubans are very open to photos. The odd person will want money.
All museums charge a camera/video fee. Everywhere else is no problems.
There are no (in my opinion) specific "do not miss" places in Cuba. The whole country is a photographer's dream.
Lastly, snatch-and-grabs are unfortunately on the increase. Take normal big city precautions with your gear or there's a very good chance you will lose it. This was almost unheard of not so long ago, it's a shame things are changing.
For some inspiration, do a little Goggling and you'll end up with great stuff like Dan Heller, Sven Creutmann, Robert Birnbaum, etc.
You're going to have a gas.
Cheers,
Terry
Polarizing filter. Mid-day glare is going to be intense.
Get out early and be out late for the best light. Mid-day is a good time to shoot indoor stuff - markets, interesting buildings, ....
Yeah, everything is difficult in Cuba.
I'd take everything you need and don't assume you will find anything.
I found the opposite. I found a lot of people hated having their photo taken.
In Havana the streets are narrow and the shadows are very deep.
I wish I was shooting digital when I was there, because I was constantly caught out with not enough light.
Fill flash could really come in handy.
Everything is amazing though.
The buildings, the people, the cars...
everything just has so much character.
I'd love to go back and have more time.
Thanks to all for the links
Can not wait to get there and start shooting.
Also wishing I was ready to purchase a digital SLR (cant believe I’m saying that!).
Am thinking of purchasing a better zoom lens so I can take pictures less obtrusively. Right now I have an excellent travel lens 28-200mm. usually the only one I take.
Might be a hassle to travel with another lens, but I REALLY regret that I did not have one when I was traveling through Greece.
Don’t think I will be able to take my Lap top. I am backpacking, hoping to bring down clothing I have collected for people down there....and my lap top is more of a desk top replacement (big - weighs about 10 pounds!).
Perhaps will travel with some blank CDs and a USB cable. Then I can try to burn copies on individual computers if I come across any....
Too bad your laptop is a desk-top replacement. It really is handy to have down there, but if you're doing much traveling (as opposed to staying right in Havana for the duration) then yes, it'll be way too much of a hassle.
I might have exaggerated slightly regarding the difficulty of getting CDs burned. In Havana and other major tourist centres you'll find facilities. Be very sure you pop the CDs into another computer on the premises and have a quick look to confirm your photos are there. Never trust the Cuban tech or the Cuban CD burner.
Mike, I'm surprised you found people hated having their photo taken. I assume you must have been in hardcore tourist areas where locals (same as anywhere) get sick and tired of always having their photos snapped, because I can assure you that is NOT the case with the vast majority of Cubans. (I've spent a lot of time in Cuba, and have taken thousands and thousands of photos. I can count on one hand - with fingers left over - how many times I've been asked not to take a photo, and I'm a very close-in shooter with people, nothing over 100 mm.)
Forget the USB cable for your camera. Travel with a card reader instead.
Lastly, and I don't want to make Cuba sound overly dangerous - because it's not - but honestly, take care with your equipment. A simple snatch-and-grab can happen soooooo fast....
Cheers,
Terry
I probably should have qualified, that I've only been to Havana.
I'm sure it's different out of Havana.
Maybe hate is a bit too strong a word, but compared to some of the other places I've been, like India, Mexico, South East Asia, etc. I found people asking for money to take their picture a fair bit. Even young kids.
"... I probably should have qualified, that I've only been to Havana..."
Bingo.
People living in my neighbourhood, Habana Vieja, get an endless stream of dumb-ass tourists with zero manners or common courtesy. My downstairs neighbour has a beautiful front room, and she had to put smaller bars on her windows that were spaced tight enough to keep out camera lenses. Unbelievable.
Cheers,
Terry
trusted partner
