After traveling to Cuba for more than three years, and living in Havana for over one and a half years, my number of Havana Cuba photography moments is starting to pile up by the fall of 2022!
If you have not visited Cuba yet, seeing photos from a unique destination like this might be a great source of inspiration and information, especially if you are a visual person.
A picture says more than a thousand words, right?
I thought I’d share some of mine with you, showing a variety of good, bad, beautiful, and strange things in Cuba!
Havana Cuba Photography Moments
Taking Pictures In Cuba Respectfully
When you are wandering the streets, towns, natural parks, and beaches of Cuba, you are bound to find photo opportunities almost everywhere. People, architecture, details, and light – there is something every 10 meters!
In order to make sure you behave respectfully when taking photos in Cuba, and also stay out of trouble, there are a few pieces of advice you might want to follow.
According to Cuba-based photographer Louis Alarcon, these are a few rules of thumb that will ensure your Cuba travel photos are hassle-free!
- Don’t take pictures in Cuban airport or close to official governmental buildings
- Don’t take pictures of police of official-looking persons in the streets or anywhere else
- Show discretion when taking photos of “Cuban problems”, like collapsed buildings, empty run-down stores, or long lines of people. It is not illegal but may be perceived molesto, as disrespectful behavior from a yuma, a foreigner.
- Of course, always ask before taking pictures of someone!
- People dressed in all white clothes are in their first year of initiation into the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria and live by a strict set of rules. They might not accept being photographed.
- Very colorful people on the streets may have it as a job to be subject to photos and will want money to be your objective.
- Don’t take pictures of religious ceremonies (unless accepted, which it normally is not). Religious ceremonies are often conducted in private houses, and you can recognize that it is happening by the enduring drumming and music from the inside through open doors and windows.
- If you are a photojournalist, make sure you have the correct visa to take photos for your work in Cuba! If not, you might run into some issues.
Photo Tours | Taking Pictures In Cuba
If you are a keen hobby photographer, and into street photography, or like to portray people and find unique magic photo moments you might like to take your Cuba photos to the next level.
In that case, you might want to participate in one of the Cuba Photography Tours Louis Alarcon is offering in Cuba!
He will take you off the beaten track, and offer photo opportunities you would not be able to find without a bit of local professional assistance.
Wrap-Up Havana Cuba Photography Moments
Hopefully, you have got a small impression of the Havana ambiance in this Havana Cuba photography series from my “home away from home”.
If you also would like to read about Havana, or Cuba at large, I have a lot to show you! Follow some of the links below for starters, and maybe I’ll see you in Havana pronto?
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