Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: algrove on January 08, 2017, 05:58:23 pm

Title: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: algrove on January 08, 2017, 05:58:23 pm
No snow and nice temperatures. This is the Winter to head South.

Leica Q in Cuba

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/2016/01/leica-q-cuba-louis-foubare/
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: CeeVee on January 08, 2017, 06:34:54 pm
Because its Cuba.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: fdisilvestro on January 08, 2017, 08:44:08 pm
Because its Cuba.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

+1000
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: hogloff on January 09, 2017, 08:53:04 am
Because its Cuba.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Just got back from Cuba in December. I found the entire experience amazing, people, architecture, nature etc...

Too bad closed minds still exist these days.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: hogloff on January 09, 2017, 08:54:37 am
Why not indeed.

You'll feel right at home with thousands of other photographers.

Really...i only saw one photo tour in my 3 weeks in Cuba. Can you elaborate on your statement.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: Osprey on January 09, 2017, 09:02:24 am
You haven't noticed everyone and their brother has pictures of resting looking Cubans and their quaint older cars out there?  I hear there's a $5 USD, Vegan juice bar doing big business in a Havana. Rapidly approaching the shark jumping point.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: hogloff on January 09, 2017, 09:43:21 am
You haven't noticed everyone and their brother has pictures of resting looking Cubans and their quaint older cars out there?  I hear there's a $5 USD, Vegan juice bar doing big business in a Havana. Rapidly approaching the shark jumping point.

You speaking from experience or ignorance. Like I said, I was there a month ago and found very few tourists away from the usual tourist areas. I lived with Cuban famalies and it was an amazing experience.

On second thought...yeh, way too many people needing to jostle your way through crowded streets. Best you stay away and leave the experience to those that can appreciate it.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: speedyk on January 09, 2017, 01:40:01 pm
Nice shots! Cubans I know are pretty cool folks.

If you want to go somewhere a little different, this outfit runs small tours to outlying areas...http://www.jennicacuba.com/p/trips.html (http://www.jennicacuba.com/p/trips.html)
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: LesPalenik on January 09, 2017, 07:17:30 pm
Thanks Louis, for sharing your interesting images, and also for the tip about using the phone to trigger the shutter on the camera.
 
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: PeterAit on January 09, 2017, 07:37:42 pm
Because its Cuba.


Such a wise answer.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: PeterAit on January 09, 2017, 07:45:14 pm
No snow and nice temperatures. This is the Winter to head South.


Because the relaxation of the travel restrictions (a good thing, overall) has led to a huge influx of tourists that has strained all their facilities. Because the tourist hotels and restaurants are buying up so much of their limited food production that many of the locals can no longer afford or even get basics such as beans, onions, and peppers. And because soon, photos of Cuba will become just as banal as photos of Antarctica and Iceland. 
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: fdisilvestro on January 09, 2017, 08:55:29 pm
Spoiled first-world-country citizens like the old cars, the frozen-in-time atmosphere and the simple life of the cubans like it were an amusement park because in the end, you will return to your country and don't have to live as they do.

As someone who has seen his own country being destroyed by becoming a Cuban ally and follow Cuban advice, it is a place I would not go, as I would not go to North Korea as well as I don't think the Colombian FARC rebels are nice people.

Because its Cuba.
Such a wise answer.


You don't even know how lucky you are that you cannot make sense of that phrase
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: Osprey on January 09, 2017, 09:04:21 pm
I've never seen people happier to see Americans, but I agree with the other person's sentiment on the  rapidly developing banality of the images coming from Cuba.

Spoiled first-world-country citizens like the old cars, the frozen-in-time atmosphere and the simple life of the cubans like it were an amusement park because in the end, you will return to your country and don't have to live as they do.

As someone who has seen his own country being destroyed by becoming a Cuban ally and follow Cuban advice, it is a place I would not go, as I would not go to North Korea as well as I don't think the Colombian FARC rebels are nice people.
 

You don't even know how lucky you are that you cannot make sense of that phrase
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: hogloff on January 09, 2017, 09:13:57 pm
I've never seen people happier to see Americans, but I agree with the other person's sentiment on the  rapidly developing banality of the images coming from Cuba.

Well tell me where on this earth that has not been photographed. We still see people photographing the National Parks,  New York City etc...

If you are tired of Cuban Images...what about the rest of the earth.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: LesPalenik on January 10, 2017, 12:01:35 am
Because the relaxation of the travel restrictions (a good thing, overall) has led to a huge influx of tourists that has strained all their facilities. Because the tourist hotels and restaurants are buying up so much of their limited food production that many of the locals can no longer afford or even get basics such as beans, onions, and peppers. And because soon, photos of Cuba will become just as banal as photos of Antarctica and Iceland.

A very similar situation applies also to Churchill and surrounding areas in northern Manitoba. The influx of tourists coming to see the polar bears and beluga whales strains indeed all ther limited facilities, and the fresh vegetables are out for reach for most locals. And the photos of polar bears are becoming as numerous as photos of lions and owls.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: jeremyrh on January 10, 2017, 07:55:05 am
On second thought...yeh, way too many people needing to jostle your way through crowded streets. Best you stay away and leave the experience to those that can appreciate it.

Yes, best stay away. It's a horrible place and you won't enjoy it at all. Nothing to see. Honestly.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: jeremyrh on January 10, 2017, 07:58:34 am
I would not go to North Korea as well as I don't think the Colombian FARC rebels are nice people.
I'm no expert on these things - I even enjoyed my trip to Cuba - but I think I'm correct in thinking that there are not that many FARC rebels in North Korea.

Jus' sayin'
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: kers on January 10, 2017, 11:26:15 am
Hell, I'm cuban and I find this funny.
:)

why not go the US...?

because there is a change you get trumped
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: adias on January 11, 2017, 01:24:20 am
I challenge those who find Cuba quaint, picturesque, etc., to actually go and live there for a while with the same income/resources/restrictions the oppressed Cuban people have. Americans always have a false sense of reality when they travel because either their stay well above the local norm or they know it is (for them) a temporary social experiment.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: drmike on January 11, 2017, 02:31:37 am
I think you just described tourism :)
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: jeremyrh on January 11, 2017, 04:35:18 am
I think you just described tourism :)

Exactly! Visitors from America or Europe are the ones who have a few thousand bucks to spend on travel - by definition the wealthiest of the wealthy. If you picked up someone from the streets of Haiti or Niger and plonked them down in Havana they'd probably be pretty happy to stay.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: hogloff on January 11, 2017, 09:35:58 am
Let's not forget tourism brings in big bucks to Cuba. I was in Cuba last November and spent over $2,000, almost all of it on accommodations, food and taxis. All that money went into the hands of Cuban people. I know they are taxed by the state, but the people that cater to the tourist industry are much better off than the people that work for the state.

I'd much travel to Cuba and photograph the amazing architecture and people, giving them my tourist dollar than go to some fancy resorts in America and feed the ultra rich.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: adias on January 11, 2017, 11:22:35 am
... All that money went into the hands of Cuban people. ...

Unfortunately no! The money you spent in Cuba went, most of it (90%+), the the State coffers.

I will not go to Cuba before the regime collapses, and freedom is restored with open/democratic elections.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: adias on January 11, 2017, 11:25:33 am
Unfortunately no! The money you spent in Cuba went, most of it (90%+), to the the State coffers to be spent as the regime decides.

I will not go to Cuba before the regime collapses, and freedom is restored with open/democratic elections.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: jeremyrh on January 11, 2017, 11:59:10 am
I will not go to Cuba before the regime collapses, and freedom is restored with open/democratic elections.
"Restored"? You think Cuba pre-Castro was free, open and democratic? You may be interested in a bridge I have for sale ...
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: scyth on January 11, 2017, 12:03:55 pm
"Restored"? You think Cuba pre-Castro was free, open and democratic? You may be interested in a bridge I have for sale ...

he means restored as in Iraq probably... or Libya :-)
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: hogloff on January 11, 2017, 12:10:29 pm
Unfortunately no! The money you spent in Cuba went, most of it (90%+), the the State coffers.

I will not go to Cuba before the regime collapses, and freedom is restored with open/democratic elections.

Have you ever been to Cuba. Sounds like you speak from knowledge...yet I believe this knowledge you have was obtained by reading the great American propaganda brainwashing that tries to make Cuba look helpless.

I talked extensively with the Cuban people that I rented a room from. They pay the government $200 a month for the room. They rent the room for $30/day and average 25 days booked / month. You do the math and let us know how much these people pocket a month. They have 4 rooms in their building they rent out.

The Cuban people are one of the healthiest people on this planet due to not using any GMO or other garbage in their foods and due to the free health for everyone. They are one of the highest literate people sternly eclipsing the USA average. Education right through university degrees are free to everyone...and just about everyone has a higher education degree.

Please take a good look at some of the neighborhoods in New Orleans or Detroit or Chicago or Memphis and tell me who is really free.
 
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: LesPalenik on January 11, 2017, 01:23:20 pm
The Cuban people are one of the healthiest people on this planet due to not using any GMO or other garbage in their foods and due to the free health for everyone. They are one of the highest literate people sternly eclipsing the USA average. Education right through university degrees are free to everyone...and just about everyone has a higher education degree.

Please take a good look at some of the neighborhoods in New Orleans or Detroit or Chicago or Memphis and tell me who is really free.

And quite a few of the them speak and write better English than some US residents. Including doctors who listen and understand what their patients are saying.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: scyth on January 11, 2017, 01:39:49 pm
Have you ever been to Cuba. Sounds like you speak from knowledge...yet I believe this knowledge you have was obtained by reading the great American propaganda brainwashing that tries to make Cuba look helpless.

he probably has nothing against going to Saudi Arabia though...  or Qatar or Jordan... all the countries with un-elected kings & sheikhs
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: NancyP on January 11, 2017, 01:41:18 pm
The Cuban medical system does some things well in that all people have access to a GP and preventive care. This results in better infant mortality, among other things. I imagine that the life style still involves a lot of walking and carrying, so the diabetes and  cardiovascular status of the Cuban population is likely better than in the US. They can't afford cutting age technology, so doctors must still learn traditional physical exam diagnostic skills. They can't rely on state-of-the-art MRI scanners. I suspect that most people with common problems subjectively feel "taken care of" by their doctors.
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: adias on January 11, 2017, 02:06:17 pm
Have you ever been to Cuba. Sounds like you speak from knowledge...yet I believe this knowledge you have was obtained by reading the great American propaganda brainwashing that tries to make Cuba look helpless.

I talked extensively with the Cuban people that I rented a room from. They pay the government $200 a month for the room. They rent the room for $30/day and average 25 days booked / month. You do the math and let us know how much these people pocket a month. They have 4 rooms in their building they rent out.

The Cuban people are one of the healthiest people on this planet due to not using any GMO or other garbage in their foods and due to the free health for everyone. They are one of the highest literate people sternly eclipsing the USA average. Education right through university degrees are free to everyone...and just about everyone has a higher education degree.

Please take a good look at some of the neighborhoods in New Orleans or Detroit or Chicago or Memphis and tell me who is really free.


All who feel that way, by all means do relocate to Cuba. But go with the clothes in your back and minimal cash in your wallet. Live the Cuban paradise life. Be happy and show coherence in your position!

For more information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/americas/cuba/report-cuba/
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: hogloff on January 11, 2017, 03:49:14 pm

All who feel that way, by all means do relocate to Cuba. But go with the clothes in your back and minimal cash in your wallet. Live the Cuban paradise life. Be happy and show coherence in your position!

For more information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/americas/cuba/report-cuba/

I believe we are talking about going to Cuba to photograph the beauty...not to pick up and move there. I personally travel to the US a lot to photograph it's uniqueness...but not once have I ever thought of moving there...for many reasons.

Tell me something, have you actually traveled this world and seen how different ethnic groups live their daily lives for yourself rather than relying on propaganda to tell you the truth? It might open up your eyes to do so. You will see smiles on many faces, kids playing with a ball rather than a cellphone, people sharing their dinners with you, a stranger, parents holding hands with their kids as they walk them to school. Many cultures, many different customs, many different priorities...none are really better than the other.

Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: PeterAit on January 11, 2017, 05:25:39 pm

You don't even know how lucky you are that you cannot make sense of that phrase


Well, I cannot make sense of what you say either - am I double lucky?
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: PeterAit on January 11, 2017, 06:11:43 pm
Or head to Nicaragua instead! Spend a few days on a coffee plantation in the jungle and a few days in a small town in the mountains. Photo opportunities galore, birds, people, flowers. architecture, landscapes.

https://san-ramon.org/ecotours/

I am on the board of directors of the non-profit that runs these tours, and I would love to see more photographers taking advantage of this opportunity.The tour is very reasonably priced and the profits all go back to the community. If you might be interested, here are some photos from my time in Nicaragua.

http://www.peteraitken.com/Nicaragua/index.html

Please contact me personally if you want more information.





Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: scyth on January 11, 2017, 06:17:05 pm

All who feel that way, by all means do relocate to Cuba. But go with the clothes in your back and minimal cash in your wallet. Live the Cuban paradise life. Be happy and show coherence in your position!

For more information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/americas/cuba/report-cuba/

a lot of people here feel that you are hypocrite, that's it... as noted it seems you have nothing against lack of democracy for as long as there is oil to sell  ;D
Title: Re: Why not head to Cuba in 2017
Post by: Christopher Sanderson on January 11, 2017, 08:46:16 pm
This is an example of a potentially useful discussion that is degraded by political agenda and silly sniping.

Topic is locked