Photographers, we’re still celebrating!

📸 First and foremost, congratulations to all photographers on World Photography Day! 😃

On August 19, 1839, in Paris, Louis Daguerre officially introduced the daguerreotype process.

This day marks the beginning of Photography and the subsequent evolution of photographic techniques that followed to immortalize landscapes, transcendent moments, art, people in their contexts and much more.

So what better moment than now to share my experience—and that of many fellow photographers—at an event we’re still celebrating, as everyone continues to share images and anecdotes from those days?

Last year, when @pinero reminded me that the Photo Safari in Baracoa Beach was coming up, I was so eager to go—but I put up a few obstacles myself and ended up missing that fabulous event, which has now been held every year for seven summers.

Well… I’m not sure it was always in summer, but I suspect it was, because one idea floated at this year’s edition—which I did attend—was to hold it in winter as well. The birdwatchers and photographers taking part recommended this, considering the migrations and the weather, which—how shall I say—eases up a bit, feels cooler… you know Cuba is an eternal summer and really hot to boot.

Let me explain in more detail what it’s all about and who’s behind this wonderful celebration.

The event takes place at La Finquita del Arte (A little ranch for artistic pursuits), supported by the local Culture House. So, La Finquita del Arte (@fincarte) is a community-development project led by creator Miguel Alexei Rodríguez Mendiola, where art, food production and environmental education blend beautifully. So much so that I’m certain—because I experienced it—that many people felt as I did: you arrive, you see the work done, the qualities and beauty of the space, and the dedication and kindness of Mendiola and his family as hosts and teachers, and you fall completely in love with the project and the place, eager to lend your own skills to help it grow.

There, I saw Mendiola teaching art classes to children and young people. The classes are held every Sunday, and as part of the program he covers photography—explaining basic concepts in a warm, accessible way—after which participants can put their new skills into practice.

How wonderful it is to see young people become passionate about photography and display their shots with such joy, explaining how they achieved each one and sharing the story behind them. I was truly thrilled to witness it all.

By then, @pinero (Ernesto) had already shown us La Finquita in his posts, and with Playa Baracoa so close—about 20 km from Havana—how could I miss this opportunity again? No way. So I set out to find a tent so I’d have somewhere to sleep that night.

I thought about renting one, but in the end I decided to buy it. It felt like the best choice since it’ll serve my future plans of spending time in forests and mountains. There is so much wilderness to explore on this island, and I’ve reached a point in my life where I don’t want to miss, whenever I can, the chance to spend time surrounded by nature and witness breathtaking spectacles like the one I showed you in my previous post. If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to take a moment to do so. It’s impressive, and every now and then it’s very healthy to escape our obligations and the mental overload we impose on ourselves for no reason.

Besides, take the example of the sky I showed in that post… under those conditions, the sky doesn’t look the same. Perhaps it’s just my predisposition, so I don’t know whether it’s our senses activating for full enjoyment or if nature takes the opportunity to speak to us since we’re so close and focused on it. Well… I know I might sound a little crazy… but look, the people—whether long-time friends or someone you’ve only just met who joins you on these adventures—you don’t feel them the same way either. It’s as if invisible threads connect us all to the same source, to the primordial and primeval; to the place we all come from, linked together as part of a whole.

Ernesto was waiting for me on the road to take me to the place. This was another of my upgrades, which I owe to this Event. Let me explain it better. The fear of riding alone along the Panamericana Highway—once you leave the town of Santa Fe—was, in a way, conquered. Because I made it to Playa Baracoa on my bike all by myself, loaded with a backpack and a tent.

It’s true that that road is very lonely, and I always take care not to travel solo through places like that, because unfortunately there’s a risk something really bad could happen. The economic situation in our country, which has been deteriorating for many years, encourages unscrupulous people to take advantage and commit crimes— theft, robbery, assaults—just to steal others’ belongings. I try to fill my mind with positive thoughts to ward off any chance of those things happening to me, but I also can’t be so irresponsible as to tempt fate, so to speak.

All right, let’s put a check mark on that point, and I can tell you it’s one of my greatest satisfactions. Every decision that brought me there—it wasn’t just me, it was the Universe too, aligning everything so I could take the next step. And besides feeling fulfilled, I feel immensely grateful.

When I arrived, I met Mendiola, his family, and slowly began interacting with the others. I only knew a few participants who are also part of this Blockchain, because I have to say Ernesto has done a fantastic job onboarding people. They’ve also attended HiveCubaCon, which, by the way, will take place here in Havana on the 30th.

Of course, I was there explaining a bit more about Hive and content creation, since many showed interest. Adonys (@a2nys) was finally able to make his presentation, Elina (@eekahlo) created her account, and soon—perhaps—we’ll get to know her better. From the experience I shared, little by little others will join in, mostly birdwatchers and photographers, of course, since we were at an event dedicated to this art.

The Photo Safari featured a very engaging program that unfolded in full. It began with registration and a welcome on the 16th, then almost immediately the attendees set off on foot to do what photographers do best… 😉 capture unique moments. Afterwards, they returned for lunch and some relaxation. A photography exhibition was inaugurated in a community dining hall, showcasing works by participants from the previous Photo Safari. I’m sure someone will recount that moment in greater detail than I can, because I honestly missed it. I arrived just as it was wrapping up, though the pieces remained on the walls, and I admired them with great interest—and amazement at how amazing those images are.

At 7 p.m. we were scheduled to choose our camping spots on the finquita grounds, for those of us who came prepared to camp. Local residents returned to their homes and even hosted those who hadn’t brought a tent, hammock, or sleeping bag. At the finquita itself there was covered space to set up an “improvised camp” with some gear kindly provided by Mendiola.

We tweaked the schedule here a bit, because between 5 and 8 p.m. we went to watch the sunset and waded into the sea in that stretch of shore where we were. I have to admit I stored some of the most striking images in my mind, because once in the water with my camera safely on the sand, I dedicated myself to fully enjoying the marvelous spectacle unfolding before our eyes.

Oh, when we got back, it was caldosa time. What a marvel! A gifted cook, full of cheer and always ready to lend a hand, treated us to his delicious seasoning. Cuban caldosa, made from viandas, spices, and meats, slowly simmered over wood fire that imparts a special flavor. Many of us went back for seconds and thirds, because it was truly finger-licking good.

The next day, after breakfast, the participants embarked on an exploration of the El Doctor Lagoon to photograph and help raise awareness about environmental pollution. The bird photographers seized the chance to spot several species, while I stayed at the Finquita for that photography workshop I told you about—images can be captured anywhere. I wandered the grounds alone, and although I didn’t take many shots, I’m delighted with the few I got. You really have to live the experience; words alone can only convey so much, and I hope I’ve given you an idea.

_{By the way, there are photos of each of us at various times. @fincarte should compile them into a Hive post. Hopefully that first post finally goes live! These two were generously shared by @muhammadhalim, showing the amusing moment I dismantled my tent. I have other unforgettable shots of me crossing a risky area… but oh well, haha… let’s leave those out here.}

The gathering wrapped up with an evaluation of activities, proposals for future meetups, and a celebratory toast. I was completely exhausted, yet the beauty of everything we’d experienced gave me an extra burst of energy to pedal home under the relentless 4 p.m. sun. Luckily, one of the photographers I met—who arrived on an electric tricycle—brought my tent right up to a spot near my house. That tough, solitary road felt less lonely with company, even though I pedaled hard so no one had to wait too long for me.

And that’s the summary… of course there’s so much more to tell, but the important thing is that the experience lives on here. Why not envision La Finquita del Arte expanding as a Hive content-creator hub, not just nationally but internationally? I imagine volunteer programs where everyone shares their Web3 expertise, helps out on the farm, and contributes to revitalizing and building spaces for that very expansion. What do you think?