CUBA PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Cuba – a country where you can travel back in time and observe the social changes happening in the last few years. From the old cobbled streets of Havana, where American cars from the 1950s are just one of the attractions, to the sugar cane mills and cigar factories – Cuba is as colourful and rich in contrasts as it gets. Locals do not mind being photographed on the streets, during samba dancing or afternoon siestas. Colonial style old villas stand next to monuments of the Cuban revolution, and youngsters play alongside the elderly, who enjoy their evening rum.

    Highlights

    • Instruction and training in the best photography techniques, including personal hints and
      advice.
    • Composition and focus on lines, golden section, perspective, foreground, background and
      middle ground.
    • How to work in different lighting conditions.
    • Portrait photography techniques: depth of field, composition, selecting the best possible
      available light

Expert ARNE HODALIČ

More about Arne Hodalič

Nikon Ambassador Arne Hodalič is the photo editor of National Geographic Magazine Slovenia. Originally studying biology in Ljubljana, his first trip to India in 1989 changed his professional career when his photos were published in a prestigious Swiss magazine, Animan. Since then he has travelled the world on photo-assignments. He is also a passionate adventurer and cave diver, participating in numerous sailing, mountaineering and caving expeditions. In 2008 he received an honorary doctorate at the University of Ljubljana, becoming a lecturer in photography and photojournalism. His photos and photo stories have appeared in books, exhibitions and many of the world’s most prestigious magazines, among others National Geographic Magazine, Life (USA), Time, Figaro Magazine, GEO, Paris Match, Marie Claire, Die Zeit, Cosmopolitan and Stern.

CUBA WORKSHOP

Meet Catarina Kent, Ulla Fluur and Aaron Marko who participated in our Cuba photography workshop with Arne Hodalic.

EXPAND WITH PASSION

On Location

  • Instruction and training in the best photography techniques, including personal hints and advice.
  • Composition and focus on lines, golden section, perspective, foreground, background and middle ground.
  • How to work in different lighting conditions.
  • Portrait photography techniques: depth of field, composition, selecting the best possible available light.
  • Night street photography How to handle equipment with care on location.
  • Private hands-on lessons that will help you take your photography skills to the next level.
  • How to approach local people in a natural way. The secrets behind travel and street photography.

In Classroom

  • Expert review and constructive critique/feedback of the images taken during the day.
  • On request, Lightroom and Photoshop course.
  • Effective conversion to black and white using NIK Software.
  • Visual storytelling: Learn from the National Geographic Photo Editor-in-Chief how to bring your photos to life.
  • A Better Moments Certified Photo Instructor is available during the entire workshop to help with camera settings, the basics of composition and to help in general.

ITINERARY

 

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – HOLA HAVANA!

Upon arrival to Havana you will be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel.

After dinner, Arne Hodalič will introduce the workshop and present his magnificent and inspiring work from Cuba.

Participants (those who want to) can submit seven of their photos for review by Arne.

DAYS 2-3: HISTORICAL TREASURES OF HAVANA

We will start the day with an orientation walk through old Havana – from San Francisco de Asisi Square to Plaza de Armes, followed by a visit to modern day Havana.

Street photography will be the focus of our stay here, as the motifs are abundant: locals going about their everyday business, historical buildings with their amazing staircases and balconies…

We will visit one of the famous boxing schools and cigar factories in Havana.

Evenings will be dedicated to blue light photography, followed by classroom workshops.

DAY 4: HAVANA – CIENFUEGOS – TRINIDAD

In the morning, we drive to Cienfuegos and stop there for the main attractions: Jose Marti Park and Terry Theatre.

After lunch, we continue our drive along the seaside towards Trinidad.

DAYS 5-6: TRINIDAD

We are spending two days in this colourful old town, bustling with American cars and local houses facing the streets, offering us a view inside through the famous grilled windows. Climb atop a city tower for a unique perspective.

In the afternoon of day 6, we drive to Sugar Mills Valley, photographing the sugar cane plantations and refineries. Colonial houses that used to belong to rich plantation owners are a must see as well.

DAY 7: TRINIDAD – SANTA CLARA

After breakfast, we take the bus to the town of Santa Clara, where the past communist era is more present than anywhere else. We spend the night here.

DAY 8: SANTA CLARA – HAVANA

After the morning street photography tour, we hop on the bus again and drive back to Havana’s capital city.

DAY 9: HAVANA

Participants have the day to themselves, wandering around Havana and capturing the moments that they might have missed at the beginning of our tour.

Evening dinner will be accompanied by the selection of the best photos from the trip, submitted by the participants.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport will be provided.

Get Inspiration

Enjoy Your 38-Page Catalog with stunning photos from Cuba

Including Workshop intinerary, expert interview, quick tips and equipment list

PASSIONATE TESTIMONIAL

“This is my first time in Cuba, and it’s my sixth or seventh workshop with Better Moments. Straight to Cuba, it was teaching point of view and learning a perspective which was pretty much focused on classroom one way. There were a lot of good lectures and it was more teaching this time than the other, which I appreciated a lot”.Catarina Kent, from Sweden, has participated in the Cuba, Bhutan, Tanzania, Steve McCurry, Söderåsen, Il Palio, Indochina and Burma workshops.

TRAVEL FACTS

Thanks for choosing Better Moments for your workshop.

Facts

  • October 29th – November 7th 2024
  • 10 Days
  • Number of guests: 8-16
Included
  • Local transport
  • Accomodation
  • All meals
Not included
  • Travel to and from the workshop destination
  • Visa and taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance

 

Ask Us

Do you have any questions about the workshop or would you like to go on a private customized tour? Send us an email.

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Price

    • € 8,495 in shared double room.
    • € 8,850 in single room.
    • Groups sign-up a group of 4+ participants and receive a group discount.
    • All prices are per person.
    • INVITE A FRIEND
      Got a friend or special someone you’d love to bring?
      With our INVITE A FRIEND-initiative, you’ll be able to bring someone with you to our locations without having to enroll them in our workshops and save up to 25% of the total rate, depending on availability!

 

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Overview

QUICK GUIDE GETTING THERE

GETTING THERE

Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Cuba, handling flights for more than 25 international airlines.

VISA

All visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay. All travellers must apply for a visa to Cuba at the nearest consulate of Cuba. It is the responsibility of each traveller to obtain all valid travel documents and visas before arrival at this destination.

WEATHER

This is the dry season and the most popular time to visit Cuba. It rains much less and because of this the temperature and humidity drop make conditions much more comfortable. Average temperature is 23 °C, with a high of 27 °C (day) and a low of 18 °C (night).

CURRENCY

Cuban convertible peso, Cuban peso

LANGUAGE

The official language is Spanish.

HEALTH

Check with your doctor which vaccinations or medications are recommended for this destination. Remember to plan well ahead with vaccinations. Allow up to six weeks to receive the full course, as some vaccinations require more than one dose, and some should not be given together.

QUICK GUIDE

Cuba is a Caribbean island nation under communist rule. From the old cobbled streets of the capital, Havana, where American cars from the 1950s are just one of the attractions, to the sugar cane mills and cigar factories – Cuba is as colourful and rich in contrasts as it gets. Locals do not mind being photographed on the streets, during samba dancing or afternoon siestas. Colonial style old villas stand next to monuments of the Cuban revolution, youngsters are playing alongside the elderly, who enjoy their evening rum. Cuba is a medley of sights and impressions and a paradise for photographers.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
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