Cars, architecture, rum, salsa and cigars….

Cruising the Malecon

Taxis are a feast for all senses.

What do you think of when you think of Cuba? Old cars? Crumbling buildings? Salsa? Rum? Cigars? Well, it’s all of that. And it doesn’t disappoint me.

I get picked up from the airport in a crumbling car who’s doors barely close. The seat squeaks and the springs are begging to be allowed to pop through the thin vinyl. The smell of oil, petrol and general fumes filtrate through the car, with intermittent whiffs of cumin and other random scents (some good, some bad) on the way into Havana. My eyes are bombarded with old classic cars, shanty ghettos, the odd modern car and most interestingly, women in active wear and stilettos.

A typical street in Havana

A supplies shop for three people

The homes of the fancier suburb of Vedado where we are staying are glorious mansions of all colours. They, however, haven’t been maintained in years. They are crumbling from four corners. Some homes are no longer habitable. Some have been restored to some extent while others seem to be barely standing. Driving the backstreets, it looks like a movie set that has been deserted and left to die. It looks like I shouldn’t be here - like it’s dangerous and brimming with criminals. But it’s not. I feel safe here, not just because I feel like everyone watches (aka keeps an eye out for) me. But because the people are nice. They go about their normal everyday life - which I still haven’t figured out - without making a spectacle of me, the tourist. I wonder whether they work, or how often they work. I see a lot of relaxing on balconies. One morning I see a lady in an upper-level apartment getting her newspaper delivered via bucket lift system. She lowers a bucket, postman puts letters and paper in, and she pulls the rope up. Wow, she doesn't even need to answer the door or climb the stairs.

Just one type of Havana Club - easier to get than water some days

Salsa and rum go hand in hand… nearly. I am told, essential for longevity is Vitamin R. Rum. And I have enough of it in my two weeks. So I guess I’m living a long life, right? The mojitos and pina coladas are some of the best I’ve ever tasted, and I’m sure it has nothing to do with the free pour into the glass that nearly fills it. Never. When rum is so cheap, think under $10 a bottle (to buy from the supermarket), heck, it’s the cheapest part of the drink.

Not strong enough? Pour your own rum ‘to taste’

But drinking lots of rum is not conducive to great dancing… so you either drink or dance. At night, I opt to dance (with a few mojitos or rums to quench the thirst ;)) That is, after all, what I am here for. Salsa and concerts are on every night in Havana - and with concerts costing under $20 each - sometimes I do two a night. Venues range from inside venues where we are shipped out immediately after the concert to outdoor venues on the water's edge where we can dance through the night after the show has finished. Twinkly tree lights, sparkly ocean water lapping just outside the railing and plenty of seats to relax on when not dancing. The dance floor is packed tight, and the floor is uneven, but everyone moves suavely and sensually, rarely bumping into other dancers. The power of dancers knowing their craft - or a lead knowing where they can send their follower.

Up close with many big stars at nightly concerts

One day I venture out of Havana, and into Vinales. It’s a place I’ve seen many photos of and always wanted to see for myself. It’s the place of tobacco. Farmers grow their tobacco in the fields, build huge drying houses and then hand roll their tobacco into cigars. I meet one farmer and he shows me how it’s done. From walking me through the drying house (a huge timber shed much bigger than their home) to rolling one for me to try. I don’t smoke, but of course ‘when in Cuba…’ I have to try. I cough and splutter a little, but the taste is actually ok. I expect it to be horrid, as I can’t stand the smell or taste of cigarettes - but it’s not. The day trip to Vinales is completed with a visit to caves and more interestingly, a big artwork rock face where we have ’the best pina colada in Cuba’. The drinks are made fresh and a standard rum is added, but then the bottle is put on the bar to ‘top up to your taste’. To say we were ‘happy’ before lunch is a slight understatement. I’m sure our singing echoes could be heard for kilometres.

Cigar making in Vinales

Beautiful Vinales country

Mosquito won

I also visit Trinidad for a night. It's known as the best preserved historic town in Cuba so is crawling with tourists. Something I don't usually like. But here, it's still relaxed. Perhaps it has something to do with the pebble streets - nothing can go too quick. Or maybe because it's in Cuba - nobody lives too hectic. An afternoon spent wandering the streets followed by salsa in the square at night then clubbing in an underground cave... I discover many different sides to this town. I also seem to make friends with the local mosquitos while sleeping. Maybe they are trying to suck the rum out of my eyelid, the only part of my body not smothered in insect repellent? My souvenir of Trinidad is a very swallon eyelid and a painting (which I ended up ruining because I leave it rolled up in the heat causing the paint to crack). One I keep, the other I happily wave 'adios' to by evening.

Trinidad street

So, what else is Cuba? Plenty more. But I'm yet to discover it. I’ll let you know when I go back and meander further. It is a country I will return to - the friendly people, the culture, the dancing, the rum…

Cuban dance rehearsal

How I got the shot... Bruny Island House of Whiskey

Ok, so this shot is not perfect. But hey, for a shot 'on the run', I think it's pretty. It's unretouched and raw. 

Bottles, glass and reflections make photography difficult. It's one thing people ask quite often. "How do I get a nice shot of a bottle?"

One easy trick is to diffuse the light that is falling on your subject. In this shot, I did that with a reflector scrim. That is it. A scrim is a translucent material that still allows light to go through, but softens it. 

I had someone hold it between the sun and the bottles. It really minimised the reflections and made the image creamier looking.  

Check out the other pic that shows the bottles without the scrim in place. You can see the difference on the labels.

What do you think?
 

Tasmania - want photos?

'We're all going on a summer holiday,

summer holiday.'

Well, not really. But I am going with the fam to Tasmania in March/April. And I'm pumped. One whole month!

I've got a few gigs lined up, and I'd love to extend the offer to everyone. If you are in Tasmania or know someone in Tasmania, that is in need of pics (and let's face it, who doesn't NEED pics in this era of social media and online advertising), here's the deal...

My schedule - 
21-27th March 2017           West Coast
28-30th March 2017           Cradle Mountain area
31st-3rd April 2017             North West, Launceston area
4-10th April 2017                Hobart, Huon Valley, Bruny Island area
11th-15th April 2017           East Coast, Launceston
16th April 2017                   Devonport

Some images from my last trip...

What's in it for you?

 

Contra Agreements (minimal $ or free)

I am also looking for a limited number of contra agreements where available and possible. If you are a tour operator, cafe, shop or accommodation business - this is perfect for you!
 

Stock photography on spec

NO COMMITMENT BY YOU - I WANT STOCK PHOTOS

If you would like general images, please email me with any requests. Of course, there is no guarantee that I will be able to achieve these images, but at least I can try. :) These images will then be uploaded to my stock photography where you can purchase at really reasonable prices. Check out the 'stock photography' page at www.heidiwho.com for examples of what I've already done for people. 
 
An example:
Goyder Council, SA
- developed a shot list and organised talent
- I organised photo shoot time
- photographed area solo and with client/talent
- the client chose images to purchase after viewing proofs
 

Editorial Photography Package valued at $400 (plus GST)

With this package, you receive a one-hour photo shoot and up to 20 images in print and web size via Dropbox. 
 
The images will be retouched to an editorial standard, which means I will colour correct, ensure they are tonally beautiful and look amazing, but I won't alter the reality of the image in any way. Ie. By removing objects, blending exposures (which helps with maintaining exposure through interiors to exteriors through windows, etc.). 
 
Check out some examples at www.heidiwhotravels.com - particularly Port Lincoln Hotel and Whyalla Caravan Park. 
 

 

 
Assignment Photography

If you have a particular photo shoot you are after, get in touch, and we can discuss. Clients include Crowne Plaza, YHA, Seawall Apartments, University of SA, SA government departments, SA Tourism Council, SA Tourism Industry Council, Majestic Group, Yorke Peninsula/City of Marion/City of Onkaparinga councils.
 
 
Please check out my website www.heidiwho.com for my photography work and my blog www.heidiwhotravels that showcase clients, my travels, photography tips and more. 
 
Of course, email or phone me to discuss any ideas. 

Client showcase: Whyalla Caravan Park

Whyalla Caravan Park - who's been? It's a quiet place, on the outskirts of town. I'd never heard of it until they called asking for one of my Editorial Packages. 

As the sun was going down one day, I discovered the park. There are areas for workers, families, grey nomads and solo travellers in all sorts of accommodation. From grassy sites to villas to workers single rooms down the back. 

There is a relaxed, and ultra green grassed, area right next to the bbq, perfect for lounging the afternoon away. A fire pit keeps you warm as the sun goes down. 

Anyway, I worked myself silly for one hour, and here are the results... this is an Editorial Package which is a basic photo shoot and edit. Nothing weird and wonderful being enhanced here. :)

These are not advertising images where I work over them in retouch - removing all distractions, fixing light, and in fact, ensuring light is 'just right' for the shoot in the first place. We do what we can do with our one hour.

I'm pretty happy with the results - and most importantly, so is my client. 

I'm heading Tasmania way in March for nearly a month - if you are down there and keen, get in touch! Or, please pass the word on. I can't wait to discover more of Tassie...

Regional photo tour update

Just a quick update on my regional photo tours.... 

Last week I headed north to Flinders Ranges and Burra. I have about 700 photos to go through so will share some with you soon. In the meantime, here are a couple I took on my iPhone. Just to prove it's not the tool - it's the way you use it. :)  

How amazing is this landscape? I'm a coastal girl but this has something special about it. 

Almerta Station at sunset

This weekend and next week I am over on Yorke and Eyre Peninsula. Would love to fill a couple of spots on Monday/Tuesday at Port Lincoln... if you or anyone you know is in need of some photo updates... 

$400 gets one hour of photography and up to twenty images. Plus, I'm going to be putting together a regional social media stock photo pack - and you get this for free. Valued at $100. 

Email me ASAP to discuss.