Havana, the vibrant capital city of Cuba, is a photographer’s paradise. Its rich history, colorful streets, and lively culture offer endless opportunities for capturing stunning images. Recently, I had the privilege of embarking on a photography trip to Havana, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience. In this blog post, I’ll take you through my journey, sharing insights, tips, and, of course, some of my favorite photographs from the trip.
Havana Cuba photography Tour8
Photography Trip to Havana
Exploring the Streets of Old Havana:
The heart of Havana, known as Old Havana (Habana Vieja), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting beautiful colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and bustling plazas. Wandering through these historic streets felt like stepping back in time. Every corner revealed a new photo opportunity – from colorful buildings adorned with intricate balconies to classic cars cruising down the cobblestones.
One of the highlights of exploring Old Havana was interacting with the locals. Cubans are known for their warmth and hospitality, and many were more than happy to be photographed. Whether it was a group of musicians playing in a plaza or a street vendor selling fresh fruit, the people of Havana added depth and character to my photographs.
Photography Trip to Havana
Capturing the Spirit of Cuban Culture:
Cuban culture is a vibrant mix of Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, and nowhere is this more evident than in its music and dance. During my trip, I made sure to attend live performances of traditional Cuban music, such as salsa and son cubano. These experiences not only provided incredible photo opportunities but also allowed me to immerse myself in the rhythm and energy of Cuban culture.
Another aspect of Cuban culture that I wanted to capture through my lens was its culinary scene. From sipping mojitos at a local bar to indulging in traditional Cuban cuisine at a paladar (a privately owned restaurant), I found that food played a central role in the Cuban experience. Photographing colorful cocktails, succulent dishes, and bustling food markets allowed me to document the gastronomic delights of Havana.
Photography Trip to Havana
Chasing the Light:
Photography is all about capturing light, and Havana offers some of the most beautiful light I’ve ever encountered. Whether it was the soft glow of sunrise over the Malecón (seafront promenade) or the golden hour illuminating the pastel-colored facades of buildings, I found myself constantly chasing the perfect light.
One of my favorite photography spots was the Malecón, where locals gather to fish, socialize, and watch the sunset. The juxtaposition of crumbling colonial buildings against the backdrop of the ocean made for stunning compositions, especially during the golden hour. It was here that I captured some of my most memorable images of Havana.
Photography Trip to Havana
Tips for Photographing in Havana:
1. Embrace spontaneity: Some of the best photographs happen when you least expect them, so be open to serendipitous moments.
2. Interact with locals: Building rapport with the people you photograph not only enhances your images but also enriches your experience.
3. Explore off the beaten path: While iconic landmarks are certainly worth photographing, don’t be afraid to wander down side streets and discover hidden gems.
4. Pay attention to light: Havana’s light is magical, so make the most of it by shooting during the golden hours and experimenting with different lighting conditions.
5. Respect cultural sensitivities: Always ask for permission before photographing people, especially in intimate settings.
Photography Trip to Havana
Conclusion:
As always my photography trip to Havana was a dream come true, filled with colorful streets, lively culture, and unforgettable moments. From exploring the historic streets of Old Havana to capturing the spirit of Cuban music and dance, every day brought new adventures and photo opportunities. If you’re a photographer looking for inspiration, I highly recommend adding Havana to your bucket list – you won’t be disappointed. As the sun sets on my time in this vibrant city, I’m grateful for the memories captured through my lens and the stories they tell. Cuba, with its timeless beauty and undeniable charm, has left an indelible mark on my heart and my photography.
Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a seasoned pro, Havana offers a wealth of opportunities to hone your craft and create images that will be cherished for years to come. So grab your camera, pack your bags, and get ready to capture the colors of Cuba. Until next time, ¡Hasta luego, Havana!
Photos of Havana Cuba That Will Make You Want to Book A Flight
Havana Cuba. Here are my favorite images from Cuba. I have been there so many times and have so many images. I have gone through about 500 out of 6000 and these are my top 40. If you have never been to Cuba, you really need to plan a trip there. The place is untouched and has been for 60 years. It is a photographers paradise. I teach photography workshops down in Havana and Vinales, however, if you want to go on your own I have you covered. I created a list that details the must go to places to photograph in Havana. You can find that list here.
People are Really Friendly in Havana Cuba
People are so friendly down there, just about anyone is happy to get their photo taken. The music, the architecture and the cars are just incredible. I love it all. I will be posting more photos from Cuba in the following weeks, months and years, so stay tuned. If you have any questions about Havana or Cuba in general, drop me a line in the comments below.
The best times to photograph are in the mornings and in the afternoons. The sun can get really hot in Havan so make sure you are prepared with lots of water, sun lotion and a pair of good walking shoes. There are bars and restaurants in just about every corner in case you need to take a break. I must warn you, once you start taking photos in Havana, you will not be able to stop.
If you have a trip coming up, don’t forget to download my list and take it with you. It is a must when you are down there. Trust me on this. Here is that list of must-see places in Havana. To edit your street photos, check out my Lightroom Presets. Click here to see the full gallery.
The Gear
The gear I used for all my photos: Nikon D800 with a Nikon 14-24mm and a Nikon 24-85mm. A MeFOTO tripod is a must when shooting the sunset.
If you have never been to Havana Cuba you will never understand it. It is a place full of history, from the people to the Architecture, and it is an incredible place, to say the least. Words will never do it any justice.
Stepping into the streets of Old Havana is like stepping into a 1960’s movie set, just add the smells, sounds, and real Cuban people. The cars are so old they all have a mix and match parts from other cars, some look really nice some not so much.
You see people everywhere, all day long and all night long. Kids playing in the streets, adults walking around, and people just living their daily lives. From one hustle to the next, people keep the busy day in and day out in Cuba.
I love this place so much, it is unlike any other place in the world. Everytime I visit, it is bittersweet when Ieave. I am happy to go to the comforts of home, but I am sad to leave such an incredible place behind.
A while back I made this short video on how to pack for Cuba. It still holds true, keep things light and always brings your gear in a a carry-on. I love traveling to Cuba, it’s such a cool destination. You can see a schedule of my upcoming Cuba workshops here.
This was our final day in Cuba, but my favorite one. Why you ask? Well, we went to one of my favorite places in all of Havana. Rafael Tejo Boxing Gym. I love this place, it has so much history, and the trainers and boxers are all my friends. That is always a plus :)
It was sad to see our trip come to an end, but like everything good in life, it must come to a bitter sweet end.
There are lots and lots of photos from this epic location, I will do a separate blog post on this soon. You can see a schedule of my upcoming Cuba workshops here.
Stuck in Havana Cuba with two blonds is not a bad thing. Here is day 2 of our epic trip to Cuba. What can I say, the more we got familiar with the locations, and the more we got into our flow, the better the trip and the pics I shot.
This was just the start of the adventure. Walking through the streets of heaven, being transported in time, was incredible. Imagine taking a stroll 60 years ago through the streets of Havana. Locals flocked to us like we were celebrities. Being stuck in Havana is not all that bad when you have two beautiful girls.
People kept coming up to me asking about the girls and who they were. Catching up with the locals, getting selfies like we were somebody was a lot of fun. The local guys were really getting a kick out of the entire thing, constantly asking me if they could get a selfy with the girls.
Havana is a magical place, it always transports you back in time. It reminds me of how I grew up in Mexico, playing with my friends outside. We had no video games, no iPads, all we had was our friends, the streets and a lot of fun. That’s exactly how the streets of Havana are, full of life.
If you want to visit Cuba, here is a list I put together of the places you must visit in Cuba. You can see a schedule of my upcoming Cuba tours here.
