Cuba: Teaching National Geographic Photo Camp
A week before Fidel Castro died, in November 2016, we led an extraordinary Photo Camp in Havana, Cuba, with a group of Cuban photography students. I gave them an impassioned talk about how they were in a unique position to document changes in their country from an insider’s perspective. A week later, when news came of Castro's death, National Geographic News ran a story using these students' images, and their pictures were circulated around the world. (The pictures on this page are mine, except the team photo.)
I’ve helped lead Photo Camps in India, Qatar, Costa Rica, and along the Arizona–Mexico border—experiences that are true cross-cultural exchanges and a meaningful way to give back. National Geographic Photo Camps are funded by the National Geographic Society.
Taxi driver and his ride.
Morning light near the Mallecon.
Beautiful old taxis drive along the famous Malecon, which runs for 5 miles along Havana’s coast.
Workshop student shows an artist the portraits he just made on the Callejon de Hamel, an artists’ block filled with murals, sculptures, and galleries.
Staff for this camp came from the US and Cuba: leader Kirsten Elstner, photograher David Guttenfelder, Pilar Rubi (logistics), tech Jon Brack (tech), Alex Moen. Some staff not pictured.
Top Photograph: Morning light washes across Havana’s colorful facades while dozens of classic car taxi drivers hang out in a park socializing and playing music.