A Four Day Whirlwind Havana Street Photography Adventure in Cuba
“You’re flying half way around the world for only 4 days? You must be mad!” I’ll admit I had questioned my decision a number of times in the lead up to this trip. Taking in the travel time and flight costs, it was quite an investment for only 4 days.
Those doubts disappeared as soon as I walked out of the airport and jumped in a 1950 sky blue Chrysler taxi (yup like one out of the movie Grease). Cuban Salsa was playing on a tiny radio and the late afternoon sun was warming my skin. Even after a 9 hour flight I was feeling fresh and ready to dive in.
As we approached the city centre my excitement grew and grew. From the colours and light to the old buildings and people going about their day. There were so many occasions where I just wanted to jump out the car and start shooting. Around every corner there was something new and exciting to photograph.
Looking back, it was the people that really made the trip for me. From Jose who invited me into his home for coffee or Noel who shared a juice box of rum on his front step with his two dogs Whiskey and Champagne. To people who took time out of their day to share their stories and explain how Cuba’s Communist model impacted their lives (a mix of opportunities and challenges) and how they saw it changing with the recent growth of the private sector.
I took in so much during my time in Havana that four days felt like ten.
A Live 3D Virtual Street Photography Experience
I’ve created a Virtual Street Photography Experience with my fiancé and fellow tog Corina. It includes a 3D Gallery that you can actually walk around and audio guide with stories behind the photos! We’re using it to raise money for World Vision’s Covid19 Crisis Response. And it’s live right now!
Top Tips For Photographing in Cuba
- Get Lost. Often the best way to discover a city is to get lost in it. Havana with its street grid system is perfect for this. Just wonder around and follow what draws your interest.
- Speak to the locals. Most of the highlights of my trip came from chats with the people of Havana. Smile and appear friendly and people will usually start speaking with you. You’ll get more access if you’re on your own versus a large group.
- Best times to shoot – Morning and Evening. Not just because of the beautiful light and the heat but also of the more peaceful energy of the place.
- Don’t be afraid to get close. Most Cubans appeared happy to have their photo taken and just went about their business as if I wasn’t there. The few that don’t want their photo taken will tell you straight away.
- Get out of the tourist areas. Higher prices, more crowds and more cliches. Plus a lot of people will ask for money if you try and take their photo in these areas.
Street Photography Gear – My Trusted Fuji X-T2
As always I like to keep things simple when I’m shooting. By keeping my gear simple I can spend more time focused on what makes a strong photo – light, moment and composition. On this trip I brought with my trusty Fuji X-T2 and the F2 23mm Prime (equivalent to a 35mm full frame lens). All the photos you see below where taken with this combo.
My Favourite Spots for Street Photography in Havana
- Old Havana (south of Veija). The Veija is the main tourist hot spot in town and too much for me. But just south of here you can enjoy Havana’s Old Town in all its beauty without the mobs of tourists. Take a walk down the street Habana for a range of interesting sights.
- Central Havana. Just the other side of El Capitolio (the Capital Building) you start entering Central Havana which offers more hustel and bustle and a better insight of real Havana.
- The Malecon. The coastal road that runs along Havana’s Northern side offers relaxed scenes of fishermen, couples and musicians. Best enjoyed at sunset.
- Streets Lagunas and Animas. Possibly my favourite streets to wonder around in Havana, they are situated just inland from the Malecon. Here you’ll find a nice balance of a busy/relaxing vibe and loads of little stories going on.
Here’s my personal favourites from my Havana street photography adventure
Things To Know When Visiting Havana
- Accommodation. Hotels are expensive. Instead book a room in a casa (homestay) many of which you can find on airbnb.
- Money. Cuba doesn’t accept most foreign visa/debit cards and you can’t buy the local currency outside of the country. So the best bet is to bring in cash in the form of Euros (preferred) or British Pounds. Changing US Dollars will cost you a 10-15% tax so best avoid bringing these.
- Internet. The only way to get online is via one of the state owned hotspots. These can typically be found in the big hotels or parks. The WiFi parks are easily to spot; just keep an eye out for a cluster of people on their phones. It’s quite a surreal sight. You’ll need to buy a voucher to get online. You can buy these in the hotels for 1 CUC (€1). Avoid buying these in the parks as they’ll usually over priced and sometime fake.
- Taxis. You have the shared Taxis (called the people’s taxis) and then the tourist taxis. The shared Taxis cost about 50 Cents (less than €1) where as the tourist taxis can be quite expensive (€25 for the 35min journey to the airport).
Will I Be Returning To Cuba?
Definitely. I believe this trip only provided a taste of what Cuba has to offer and I can’t wait to discover more.
Behind the Scenes
A big shout out to the awesome trio from the US who organised this trip and kindly invited me to join. I’m so thrilled you did!
We had the one and only Jide (this was our second street photography adventure together after India), the expressionate Nicole and the early morning booze hound Danae. Hanging out with you all was a barrel of laughs and it was amazing to share this experience with you. Plus I certianly picked up a few things shooting along side you. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure :)
Here are a few behind the scenes photos of our street photography gang in action (well, most of the time…).
Love these! Cuba was on my list already but I may need to bump it up a couple of spots! Awesome pics x
Ah thanks Helen!! Do it! I can’t recommend Cuba enough :)
Wow! Every single one of these photos are bloody EPIC! Sweet Jesus you nailed it! 😲
Damn, you’re too kind Katie. Thanks so much!
Matt these are so so so good man! Looks like an awesome trip, extremely jealous!
Thanks a lot Dan!! It sure was :) I already want to go back
Killer shots Matt! Made me excited to go see Cuba for myself.
Thanks Andrew! Missed the Aussie humour on this trip. You’re going to love it in Cuba!
Mate, I really enjoyed looking through these! The blurred car behind the domino players stood out for me but all great pictures! I’m so incredibly Jealous too. For too long I’ve wanted to visit cuba, and my guess is by the time I ever do so much of the Castro cuba will have gone.
Thanks so much Ben!! The growth of the private sector fuelled by tourism will have impacts on the country but the Cubans are so proud of their histroy with Castro and Che Guevara (posters and statues everywhere, plus the way they talk about them) that I see a lot of those things sticking around for some time.
These are the best street photography you have produced mate !!! Absolutely captured the soul of Havana !!!
Wow, thanks a lot Soven!!
Awesome set of images, makes me want to go to Cuba even more.
Thanks Paul!! You should definitely do it!
Absolutely loving these images! Really inspirational. So much colour and looked great fun to capture!
Thanks so much Sonia!! Havana really is a photographer’s playground :)
Fabulous photos Matt, really fired me up as Im going in May and can’t wait. Im also using the Fuji XT2, can I ask what fine sim did you use?
film sim
Thanks Lee!! You’re going to have an incredible time! It really is a photographers playground. Film sim wise I haven’t changed mine since I got the Fuji XT2, so it’d be the factory settings option.
Looks like an amazing place, can’t wait to go!
It really is Andrew! I hope you have a fantastic time there!
Stunning set of pictures. Congratulations.
Thanks Rodrigo!!
Obvi I’ve looked at this blog post before, but getting to the end and seeing photos of us together is soo fun! Can we please all get together soon! Happy holidays!!
It’s the people that make it :) I’ve love to do another trip with you guys!
I want you to know that I am very inspired by your Cuba images. I have been on 3 photography workshops to Cuba (I am somewhat addicted) and I am going in April on my own for the first time. I feel like I’m getting the hang of street photography and I will keep your tips and images in mind when I am there. All the images are impressive, but my favorites are the first silhouette one and the one of the old lady behind the bars of her window. Congratulations on capturing Havana so perfectly.
It is difficult to see photographs of such quality and with such closeness in articles about street photography in Cuba.
Almost always are the typical photographs of American cars and photographs taken from far away, in full sun, etc.
In addition to the distance that you have worked, it is clear that you were at the center of the action of your photographs.
I really like the colors of your photographs, Fuji is great to get good colors, I was testing the Fuji XT3 and I liked the quality, I compared it with a Nikon D7500 and I liked Fuji better.
Once again, congratulations for your article, for your photographs, I am a great connoisseur of Cuba and sincerely I have to tell you that it has been inspiring.
Wow! Louis thank you so much for your extremely king words about my photos! Especially coming from a Cuba based photographer, it really means a lot!! Yeah I love the Fuji tones. I’ve used the XT2 for all my street work the last couple of years and couldn’t be happier with it.
I had a look through some of your projects on your website and love your work! It’d be fantastic to shoot together next time I’m over :)
fantastic work!! i am traveling to morocco this june- cuba was my second choice for this trip and you *almost* have me regretting my decision! ;)
Thanks Pamela! And sorry for the menu envy ;)
Hi Matt. We have just booked to go to Cuba for a couple of weeks next Feb / March, its been on my list for a long time and we are excited to see and experience the Cuban vibes. I ‘googled’ and came across this page, so pleased I did, stunning street work and lots of inspiration too, thank you :) . I now can’t wait to get there and submerge myself in the culture and the architecture. Cheers, John.
Thanks a lot John for your kind words about my photos! Glad you’re excited about your trip to Cuba and you have an incredible time! It’s an amazing place :)
I want to go :) Googling Cuba and stuck in the UK