Meet Roberto

It started with a cigar. Actually two cigars. I was smoking and so was he.  I yelled “tobacco” and gave him a  thumbs up. He smiled and waved us over.

“I like tobacco” he said.

We were walking where tourists never go and I think Roberto was happy to have some strangers to talk with. After telling us that he was 84 years old, he proceeded to do some deep knee bends to show us that he was in good shape.

Roberto struck this pose on one of his squats. Then we all laughed.

 

He wanted to show us this newspaper article from the late 1950’s. He was in Miami working at a hotel when a reporter came to interview some of the staff. He got his name in print and saved the article for all these years.

Of course there were photographs too.

Roberto was also proud to show us this certificate he received for completing a hunting safety course.

That’s how it goes in Havana. You never know what interesting people you’re going to meet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tobacco Farming – Orlando

We met Orlando quite by chance early one morning while we were photographing. After introductions he invited us back to his farm to photograph.

Now, Orlando is a businessman as well as a farmer. He caters to tourists, providing horseback rides, guide service, and tours of his farm. We all knew this, but he was such a nice guy and the photo-ops were great. Besides, it was only 8:00 am and the light was good. What photographer would want to go on a tour at noontime?

We walked back to his house and went inside.

We were offered coffee.

Orlando lit a small wood fire

Then got to work grinding some beans.

His mother, Marta, took over in the kitchen.

She put on quite a show smoking a cigar and boiling the water…..

…..and making the coffee.

The coffee was good!

Next, we had the cigar rolling demonstration.

One for me.

Of course we bought some cigars and even some guayabita rum.

 

Tobacco Farming – Vinales

The western province of Pinar Del Rio in Cuba is noted for producing some of the finest cigar tobacco. The little town of Vinales is a favorite destination of mine.

In late January and early February the tobacco is harvested by hand.

The leaves only have a short span of optimal quality. A few days one way or another can make a huge difference. It takes skill to know which leaves to cut and when.

Of course, all the work is done by hand.

A razor sharp hook-knife is used to lop off the chosen leaves just below a split in the stalk.

This allows the cuttings to hang freely over a pole. Later the poles are stacked in a barn to dry and cure.

 

 

 

 

 

Landscapes

Landscapes take time.

Time to scout.

Time to learn:

– where to be to find an interesting subject and a composition.

– when to be there …. the season, month, day, and  hour.

– what light you want …. morning, evening, or something in between.

So you go, armed with all your knowledge, and then you are still at the mercy of the weather.

Sometimes you get shut out, but sometimes you get lucky.

Having been to Vinales, Cuba only twice before, I considered myself lucky on the third trip.

We had some delicate valley fog one morning so four of us grabbed a taxi and offered the driver some money to take us about 4 miles out of town and drop us off. We planned to walk back and shoot on the way. It took some explaining to convince the driver that we were serious.

Farming

Viñales, Cuba is known for tobacco farms, but farmers also raise a few pigs and keep some hens. They are quick to point out that their farming methods are all natural.