CUBA PHOTO TOUR

£ 2995

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Discover the unique charm of Cuba through your lens.

We invite you onto an adventurous photography workshop in Cuba, to capture this country’s unique charm through your lens. With its nostalgic architecture, vibrant culture, and colorful people, Cuba has an undeniable allure, and provides a dream setting for photography. During this photo tour, we’ll explore Havana’s backstreets, walk the cobbled streets of Trinidad, and take in Santa Clara’s youth and revolution inspired creative scenes. We’ll practice documentary photography, portraiture, and visual storytelling. Throughout the trip, you’ll be guided by professional photographers, who will help bring out the best photographer in you.

Since we work with small group sizes, the tutoring will be tailor-made to your level – so whether you’re a beginner or a semi-pro, you’ll be able to hone your skills and return home with some stunning images.

QUICK FACTS
Havana, Santa Clara & Trinidad, Cuba
Nov 17 – 29, 2024
Culture, Portrait & Street Photography
Leader: Andy Scaysbrook & Andre Bell
Group Size: Max. 6
All Photography Levels
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Map of Cuba
1
Explore Cuba in an authentic, off the beaten track way

Explore Cuba in an authentic, off the beaten track way, and enjoy unique photographic opportunities

2
Receive photographic tutoring

Receive photographic tutoring, tailored to any level, by award-winning photographers

3
Vibrant music and fashion scenes

Experience Cuba’s vibrant music and fashion scenes through your lens – and get your salsa shoes on if you’re up for it!

4
Improve photography skills

Improve your photography skills during daily workshops, and put your skills into practice straight away

5
Personal Tutoring

Enjoy very personal tutoring because of an exceptionally good ratio between participants and workshop leaders

  1. Explore Cuba in an authentic, off the beaten track way
  2. Receive photographic tutoring
  3. Vibrant music and fashion scenes
  4. Improve your photography skills
  5. Personal tutoring
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THE DESTINATION

For photographers, Cuba is a dream setting. The preservation of the country’s history gives a unique sense of a time gone by. Its architecture is timeworn but magnificent; a country of undefinable beauty. Cuba’s people are open and welcoming,  and their culture vibrant. The street scenes are captivating and ever-changing. There’s something to inspire every photographer, and we’ll help you immerse yourself in Cuba’s story.

During this Cuba photo tour, we’ll explore the three most exciting and photogenic cities; Havana, Trinidad, and Santa Clara. The first, the country’s capital Havana, is a spirited mix of colors, music, and architecture. You never know what can happen in Havana, it’s a city of surprises and escapades – and that’s what makes it such a great location for photography. We know all the best places to shoot and be seen and we’ll introduce the best hotspots.

From Havana, we’ll venture to Santa Clara. A culturally significant city (and that’s saying a lot, as Cuba is brimming with culture), and often considered by many to be a “young” city due to the high student population. The city has also been shaped by a long association with Che Guevara, whose liberation of Santa Clara 1958 marked the end of the Batista regime.  A truly eclectic mix of past and present.

After that, we head down to arguably the coolest place on earth; Trinidad, Cuba. There we encounter cowboys, cobbled streets and courtyard bars. We’ll keep the photography workshop as fluid and relaxed as possible; there’s no fixed agenda as we will shoot for the conditions and opportunities as they arise, ensuring that we don’t miss out on the best opportunities.

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YOUR WORKSHOP

You will receive personalized photographic tutoring throughout this Cuba photo tour. Each day, there will be a combination of group and one-to-one sessions, all in places we know intimately, with activities designed to help you progress every aspect of your photography. The tuition is split, roughly, 70/30 in favor of practical over theory.

Since we’ll travel in a small group, there will be plenty of one-on-one mentorship throughout the workshop. We tailor-make a specific program for each participant, designed so you can improve the areas that matter most to you.

Throughout the workshop we will explore a variety of photographic styles and genres; street based and urban, landscapes, portraits, architecture, fashion and food, in both color and black and white. We will examine the work and approach of well known and less well known photographers from different eras and countries and understand who they were influenced by, who in turn they influenced and what impressions they left on both the photographic landscape and the world at large.

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YOUR 12-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 : Arrival at José Martí International Airport

Arrival at José Martí International Airport in Havana, where you’ll be picked up and taken to your hotel. After settling in, we can all get to know each other during dinner.

Day 2: Old Havana & The Malecon

We’ll start the day by heading out on foot to Old Havana; dusky backstreets awash with color, light and activity; each turn gives a myriad of opportunities for street photography, portraits or just to sit back and watch life unfold.

After returning to our accommodation in the afternoon we take time to review and assess everyone’s images, and to discuss photography theory. In the evening we’ll take a stroll along The Malecon; Havana’s famous sea-wall road, taking in the sights and sounds as the street comes to life as a place for people to meet and hang out.

Day 3: Havana to Santa Clara

On this day, we’ll head out of Havana and down to Santa Clara on private transport. The journey will take around 3-4 hours and will include a rest stop for refreshments and possibly stops for photo opportunities if they arise. Once we arrive and you’ve unpacked we’ll either relax in our new home or take a brief stroll around the town.

Day 4: Touring Santa Clara

The day will be spent with a local guide showing us some of the highlights of Santa Clara, including Che Guevara’s mausoleum and Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado. A derailed train which marks one of the most dramatic events of the Battle of Santa Clara, a decisive event in the revolutionary war of the late 1950s.

Day 5 & 6: Parque Vidal and Museo de Artes

A day lined up for exploring the arts scene of vibrant Santa Clara; we’ll walk along

Parque Vidal, a traditional pedestrianized town square through to the Museo de Artes Decoratives (art deco museum); we’ll also meet some local artists and students to learn more about life in the city.

Day 7: Trinidad

After breakfast, we will make our way to Trinidad; a journey of around 2-3 hours, again, we may stop for refreshments or photographic opportunities if possible. Once we’ve (briefly) settled into our accommodation we’ll take a walking tour of the town; explore the cobbled streets, learn more of the region’s history and culture, soak up the wonderful colors of the colonial architecture, enjoy the beautiful sunshine and quiet tranquility of life in Trinidad.

In the evening we’ll head to the Casa de la Musica to watch local musicians play and for those brave enough to join in the dancing!

Day 8: Horseback Tour

Our local guide will lead us out of Trinidad on horseback, through the national park. We will have two stops, one to see how sugar cane is crushed and turned to syrup and another to see how traditional Cuban coffee is made. 

After, we will take a (very) short hike through to a hidden waterfall, where we can swim in the small lake or just rest a while before heading back to town with a stop along the way for something to eat.

If time allows, on one of the afternoons in Trinidad, we may take a short taxi ride to Playa Ancon, the famous local beach. Here there are a handful of Communist era hotels which make for some interesting photographic opportunities; as well as capturing shots of the tourists on the beach. In the evening you’re almost guaranteed a perfect sunset over the Caribbean.

Day 9: Rest Day

A day off from the walking and excursions, a chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. Some optional activities may be available including either a trip to the beach or train ride to nearby attractions.

Day 10: Sunrise in Trinidad

A last leisurely morning in Trinidad. We recommend getting up early to capture the pre-dawn light, sunrise and early activity in the town. Between mid-morning and lunchtime we will set off on our journey back to Havana. This will take 4-5 hours and include at least one stop for refreshments.

The evening will be spent capturing the night life of Havana.

Day 11: Post-production

Our final day will be spent putting together our projects. Post processing, editing and creating a series of documentary images highlighting what you’ve seen and captured. We’ll take time out for food and drinks breaks. If time allows, we may head out for more shooting around Havana.

In the evening we’ll head to another great restaurant for our farewell meal, before seeking out some of Havana’s famous nightlife.

Day 12: Departure

Depending on the times of flights there may be an opportunity to pick up some last minute souvenirs or just spend a few more hours around the city.

When it’s time to leave, we’ll arrange your transport back to the airport.

QUICK FACTS
Havana, Santa Clara & Trinidad, Cuba
Nov 17 – 29, 2024
Culture, Portrait & Street Photography
Leader: Andy Scaysbrook & Andre Bell
Group Size: Max. 6
All Photography Levels

£ 2995

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INCLUDES
  • Accommodation in comfortable bed & breakfasts and casas (single rooms)
  • Breakfast
  • Airport transfers to and from José Martí International Airport
  • All transport on the ground including transport to/from Trinidad
  • Constant and personal photographic tuition
EXCLUDES
  • Flights to and from Havana (José Martí International Airport)
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Personal travel insurance including camera insurance
  • Drinks
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RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

We recommend the following equipment for this photography holiday:

  • Camera and a range of lenses; ideally including a wide angle lens
  • Tripod or bean bag
  • Spare batteries and memory cards
  • Computer with editing software, if you want to be tutored on post-production

WORKSHOP LEADER

Andy Scaysbrook. From musicians and artists such as B.B. King, Pavarotti and Lee Scratch Perry to African tribesmen and Cuban tobacco farmers, Andy’s pictures get inside the subject. His style is reportage; one of observation and patience; a master of the decisive moment and of knowing when the image will emerge. Andy was the photographer behind the world’s first charity e-book; Holding onto Hope; which ran as an exhibition at London’s Menier Gallery – A series of celebrity photographs in aid of OvaCome, a charity which is particularly close to Andy’s heart.

Andrew Bell. From sunrise in the Annapurna mountains to sunset at Stonehenge, stopping at frozen beaches, forgotten villages and disused railways: Andrew’s travels have taken him all over the world. Andrew’s style is documentary; shooting real life, just as he finds it; whether that’s locals on the beach, landscapes in rural France or rock concerts in Cuba. Andrew’s projects have been exhibited on their own and as part of collections of work with other photographers, including one with Goldsmith’s University & Magnum.

£ 2995

pp sharing

INCLUDES
  • Accommodation in comfortable bed & breakfasts and casas (single rooms)
  • Breakfast
  • Airport transfers to and from José Martí International Airport
  • All transport on the ground including transport to/from Trinidad
  • Constant and personal photographic tuition
EXCLUDES
  • Flights to and from Havana (José Martí International Airport)
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Personal travel insurance including camera insurance
  • Drinks

WORKSHOP LEADER

Andy Scaysbrook. From musicians and artists such as B.B. King, Pavarotti and Lee Scratch Perry to African tribesmen and Cuban tobacco farmers, Andy’s pictures get inside the subject. His style is reportage; one of observation and patience; a master of the decisive moment and of knowing when the image will emerge. Andy was the photographer behind the world’s first charity e-book; Holding onto Hope; which ran as an exhibition at London’s Menier Gallery – A series of celebrity photographs in aid of OvaCome, a charity which is particularly close to Andy’s heart.

Andrew Bell. From sunrise in the Annapurna mountains to sunset at Stonehenge, stopping at frozen beaches, forgotten villages and disused railways: Andrew’s travels have taken him all over the world. Andrew’s style is documentary; shooting real life, just as he finds it; whether that’s locals on the beach, landscapes in rural France or rock concerts in Cuba. Andrew’s projects have been exhibited on their own and as part of collections of work with other photographers, including one with Goldsmith’s University & Magnum.

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