No film camera, oh no!
Due to cultural ties (Spain) I've had quite some interest in Cuba but has always been a non-easy trip to ever plan or do. However, I find its anachronistic and stuck in time character to be an interesting subject to shoot on film.
There is a very heavy history and political reason as to the hardships they are having, supposedly due to the centralised and policing of the state it's one of the safest latin american countries.
How it is for Canadians to visit? One big reason as to not visit being an european is losing ESTA eligibility. Then of course there is the ethics of visiting a country in heavy hardship. Interestingly, I've been seeing a lot of film work from US photographers that visited the island.
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Pity you did not have time for a few film pictures. It's a fabulous visual treat.
ESTA is the US visa waiver program which after some search I see does not apply for Canadians. As a citizen of a country under ESTA eligibility, Visiting Cuba would void this visa waiver. And so, visas are then required to enter and visit the US.
a P645n, Automation is great and very convenient for street shooting
@Kodachromeguy your photos are dated 2017. I assume that is when you were there? It's changed quite a bit (for the worse) since then, according to a multi-time visitor I chatted with on the plane coming home... Crime has also gone up. That is another reason why I hesitated to bring along any gear. It was quite tiring trying to escape all the hustlers!
I am thinking so as well! Been heading to Asia for the last couple years and no set plan for any trip west across the Atlantic.Given a choice between visiting one of the two authoritarian third world countries, Cuba is the more interesting of the two.
Done both.
Nice blog posts. There was a promising era circa 2015 when Obama lifted a lot of policies, but it didn't last long. Then the situation deteriorated, I understand quite a bit so due to the pandemic.I was in Havana in Jan. 2017. I'm sorry to hear that conditions have deteriorated - that is grim.
So sad, if the US would open up to Cuba both countries would benefit.
Such poverty is hard to understand without seeing first hand. I remember visiting Brazil in the 90's, seeing some of the areas near Sao Paulo. My Goodness. Just reminds me how freaking lucky I am.
Anyway, I at least would want a plastic film camera.
Can you buy film in shops in Cuba? (Other than the ones that cater to the Canadian hyper-wealthy)
Wait I'm drifting into political arena.
@mshchem I heard that the remaining photo stores closed after Covid. If I could find film there, it probably has an expiry date of January 1, 1959...
Looks like NYC to me.
Ditto.Given a choice between visiting one of the two authoritarian third world countries, Cuba is the more interesting of the two.
Done both.
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