The Art & Soul of Cuba – A Unique Photo-Cultural Tour with David Julian
December 13-22, 2017
Altruvistas is honored to collaborate on a photography tour to Cuba with David Julian, a Seattle-based photographer, illustrator and educator! David has spent the past 27 years creating compelling images for clients, collectors, institutions and public installations worldwide. He has led travel photography workshops in Cuba, Costa Rica, The Netherlands, Portugal, and on luxury small-ship adventure cruises in Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico.
1) What inspired you to create The Art & Soul of Cuba – A Unique Photo-Cultural Tour?
It started when I was invited along with several prominent photographers to Cuba in late 2014 to create Cuban Footsteps, a photography project inspired by the work of Walker Evans. During that trip, I fell in love with Cuba and it’s citizens, and returned four months later with my partner. We traveled around on our own using my People to People Exchange license. It was on that trip that I vowed to return yet again and create a tour centered around photography and cultural exchange experiences. To make the tour more affordable and directly support the Cuban people, we would avoid staying in hotels and use private home stays with locals (casas particulares). Thought that tour was very successful, going forward I wanted to provide even more customized itinerary, a search that lead me to contact Malía Everette, CEO of AltruVistas.
2) Who should join this tour?
Havana, Cuba 2015 ©David Julian
This tour is designed to satisfy two types of travelers: Those who are avid travel or street photography enthusiasts, and also casual travelers who want to experience Cuba’s vibrant arts and social culture.
Thought we have an itinerary, this tour is also great for people who have a spirit of adventure and who are open to some spontaneity. We have options to balance group and independent adventures.
3) What advice do you have for people who are indecisive about this tour?
If someone was on the fence about joining us I would love to learn why. I would see if there are some perceptions that are not accurate about Cuba or the tour, such as whether their comfort zone would be met; whether they have enough photography or solo time; or whether they felt it would be safe. Often people are on the fence if the timing isn’t right or for financial reasons.
Havana, Cuba 2015 ©David Julian
4) What are some eye-opening things about Cuba for you?
I am always encouraged by how friendly and eager Cubans are to meet and dialog with Americans, more so than anywhere I’ve traveled. Each time I visit Cuba, I become far more connected with my own good fortune. In that, I live in a place where I have a lot of opportunities and freedom to travel as a I wish outside of my country. I was struck by how many Cubans told me how much they’d like that freedom. I hadn’t realized before visiting there just how much that impacts their lives, and how much they desire to explore some of the dreams we have always had, and may take for granted. It is very humbling.
I was also struck by the open warmth and generosity of many Cubans, considering their financial situations. I have been invited into homes for dinner, which can be a sacrifice for a Cuban family. Accepting their generosity and bringing them something special has proved very rewarding.
I’m also impressed with Cubans’ resourcefulness and ingenious survival techniques, some of which are shaped through their meager government rations and contact with tourism. For example, if I give someone an LED flashlight or a bottle of vitamins, they may keep or up-trade it for something they need more, such as cooking oil or a bag of rice.
Viñales, Cuba ©David Julian
5) What were some highlights of all the trips you’ve led?
I led a trip to Costa Rica, centered around tropical nature photography and understanding ecology. The highlights were our close encounters with wildlife that went beyond our guests’ expectations for the trip.
Other photo workshops I’ve led are more urban and always resulted in something delightfully unexpected. In Amsterdam, we had soaking rain and hail— but the eerie light that resulted from the storms was simply magical. What I’ve always told my travelers is that it’s an orchestrated adventure. Some of the best things that I’ve ever encountered while traveling happened due to the spontaneous shifts that can happen during foreign travel. I have learned to embrace such things as true opportunities, and with that perspective have enjoyed many memorable rewards.
Cuba 2014 ©David Julian
6) What lessons have your learned from the trips you’ve led?
I like control, but the lessons I’ve learned is to be open to opportunities without the need for control. However, when I’ve leading a group, I do need a certain amount of control to be prepared and organized. In my own personal travels, I’ve left it more open to what may happen and can trust others to make good decisions. In Cuba I like to collaborate closely with our Cuban guides to offer the best possible options, encounters and adventures.
©David Julian
7) What gear do you bring on trips for photography, and why?
Just before heading to Cuba for the first time, I switched to the Fujifilm-X mirrorless system for weight-savings and agility. To my surprise, the camera’s all-manual control dials and programmable buttons made changing settings very intuitive, allowing me to respond quickly and intuitively to subjects in changing light conditions. It’s beautifully-engineered for image quality and weather-resistance. What’s more, I can also set the camera’s viewfinder or LCD to display and record in Black and White, a favorite setting for street photography.
Now I pack one Fuji X-T2, and 10-24mm, 16mm, 23mm, 56mm and sometimes my 55-200. I always bring a compact backup: either my pocketable Sony RX100III or a Fuji X100F rangefinder. I also pack lens cleaning pens and a small, light Sirui carbon-fiber tripod.
©David Julian, from the book “Picturing Cuba in B&W”
8) What are some things you never leave home without?
That’s a great question! I never leave home without a small tin of Tiger Balm. It’s a scent that soothes my mind as well as heals traveler’s muscle aches. The stuff is just magical for me and it’s my aromatherapy of aromatherapies. I have been compared to ‘MacGyver’, the guy from the TV series who can fix anything from just about anything. On all trips I bring a plastic band-aid box compactly filled with my favorite fix-it components. The Airport TSA often pulls me aside for it, but it’s been well worth it to me to have it along.
I also pack a bungee cord based clothesline that rolls up and fits into an eyeglasses pouch. I discovered on my last trip that it also makes for a fantastic stretchy band for exercises. I travel with many things that are light, small and have multiple uses. In my youth, I adored and emulated the secretive precise kits used by TV’s ‘Mission Impossible’ agents. Try to explain that reasoning to a foreign Customs agent!
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Art & Soul of Cuba – A Unique Photo-Cultural Tour with David Julian | December 13-22, 2017
