Getting close

Some people think that once you get a zoom lens you are ready for wildlife photography but the reality is that even with zoom lens you need to get close to your subject to get quality photos. This vide from Paul Miguel is all about this topic. 

Underwater photography at 163 feet

 According to this tweet, this is a new Guinness record. 

 New record: Deepest underwater model photoshoot - 49.80 m (163.38 ft)

Hear from photographer Steven Haining on the logistics of choreographing a shoot nearly 50 meters deep underwater.

Visiting Cuba as a Cuban Photographer, the risks

As a Cuban-American, I would love to photograph my country of origin, but believe it or not, visiting Cuba as a Cuban photographer is riskier than visiting as a photographer from another country.

As a Cuban photographer visiting Cuba, the primary risk lies in potential scrutiny from authorities, especially if you capture subjects considered sensitive by the government, such as military installations, police personnel, or politically sensitive areas. Photographing these is strictly prohibited and could lead to legal repercussions. Keep in mind that in most countries, you'll find signs indicating whether photography is allowed or not. In Cuba, however, such alerts are rarely present.

You can take pictures of police in public in the United States.
This is protected by the First Amendment,
which protects freedom of speech and the press no matter what nationality are you.

But things are not that simple. The level of destruction in cities like Havana is well-known. As a tourist, you might photograph the ruins of those buildings and face no issues. However, if I do the same, it could be interpreted as an attempt to document the destruction caused by the revolution. Being a Cuban photographer adds a political dimension to your work that photographers from other countries do not face. This is just one example of many situations that may seem fine, but may not be as acceptable if you are Cuban.

Here are the key risks to consider:

• Equipment confiscation: authorities might confiscate your camera equipment if they suspect you are taking what is considered by them prohibited or questionable photos.
• Harassment or questioning: depending on the location and situation, you might face questioning or even harassment from local officials if your photography raises concerns. I have personally witnessed this situation.
  
• It's important to remember that even if you are an American citizen, when you enter Cuba using your Cuban passport, you are legally recognized by Cuban authorities solely as a Cuban national. This means that, under Cuban law, your U.S. citizenship is not acknowledged during your stay. As a result, the United States government is limited in its ability to provide consular assistance or intervene on your behalf in the event of legal issues or disputes during your visit. This distinction can have significant implications, so it's crucial to understand the potential risks before traveling.

I know of photography tour packages organized by Cubans living in other countries, and I can’t help but imagine what it would be like if you were on one of those tours and your Cuban guide got involved in one of these situations and was detained by Cuban authorities?

To be fair, this is not a situation unique to Cuba. Photographers from countries like China or Russia may face similar risks when photographing in their home countries. In such cases, local authorities often scrutinize photographic activities more closely, particularly if the subject matter is deemed sensitive or politically charged. For these photographers, their work can inadvertently take on a political dimension, making them more vulnerable to legal or social repercussions compared to foreign photographers capturing the same scenes. This highlights the broader challenges faced by photographers working within countries where freedom of expression and access to certain subjects are heavily regulated.

When living in another country, you become accustomed to your newly acquired rights and may forget that the freedoms you take for granted are not the same in Cuba or other countries. Always do your homework to avoid running into problems.

How much ISO is too high ISO

 I primarily shoot wildlife, and over the years, I’ve changed my shooting approach multiple times. Initially, I shot in manual mode, but I eventually transitioned to Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority. In both modes, I decided to leave ISO on Auto. This configuration allows me to focus on other aspects of photography, such as composition and white balance.

At first, I set the maximum ISO to 1600. Over time, I gradually increased it to 3200 and eventually to 6400. These changes didn’t happen overnight—it took years of experience, experimentation, and adjustments. During this period, I also switched between different camera makers and models, testing and refining the maximum ISO settings on each one. Today my R6 is configured with a Maximum ISO of 10200.

In my opinion, the ideal maximum ISO depends heavily on your camera and, to some extent, on your lens quality. A high-quality lens with superior optics produces sharper and more detailed images, which can help mask the noise that becomes apparent at higher ISO settings.

Modern cameras handle high ISO much better than the ones I owned a decade ago. That said, as photographers, we sometimes need to make tough decisions. Do you take the shot, knowing you’ll have to use a high ISO and sacrifice some sharpness, or do you let the moment pass? Ultimately, the choice depends on what’s more important to you: capturing the moment or achieving technical perfection.

Here are few pictures that I took today and where I had to choose between taken the shot or forget about it. These pictures are soft but to me they are good for Social Media. Can you guess the ISO?

A beautiful story emerging from an obscure past

New generations of Americans, along with many from the current generation, need to be reminded of this critical chapter in history. It was a time when a nation sought to expand its territory, unknowingly opening a Pandora's box of consequences—shaping geopolitics, fueling conflicts, and altering the course of global history.

AFP photographer Eric Schwab recorded the horrors of the Holocaust -- the crematoria, the piles of skeletal bodies and emaciated faces -- as he went from one Nazi extermination camp to the next in the spring of 1945 searching for his mother. Source.

This article from France24 highlights a deeply moving and personal story of an AFP photographer's journey to uncover his mother's harrowing experience in Nazi concentration camps. It sheds light on the intergenerational impact of trauma, the resilience of survivors, and the power of photography as a medium to connect with history and preserve it for future generations.

The story is particularly compelling because it intertwines the personal with the historical, reminding us that behind every statistic or historical account lies a human story of pain, courage, and survival. It also underscores the role of photography in documenting truths that may otherwise be lost to time.

This account serves as an important reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the importance of continuing to educate people about it, especially in an era where misinformation and denial persist. It’s a powerful testament to how personal narratives can bring history to life and ensure that we never forget.

The role of photography documenting history

There’s no doubt in my mind that photography plays a vital role in documenting history—perhaps even more so than video. While browsing Flickr for street photography, I came across an album created by Eran Horn, an amateur photographer from Israel.

Through his lens, he has captured the unfolding events surrounding the potential liberation of prisoners held by Hamas.

His black-and-white photographs are truly remarkable, conveying the deep sadness and dramatic intensity of the moment with profound impact.

Photo by Eran Horn.

A different type of landscape photography

When people hear about landscape photography, they often imagine a pristine image of nature, free of any man-made elements. However, I believe this perception is limiting. The image below demonstrates that landscape photography can thrive in an urban environment, showcasing how human-made elements can complement or contrast with the natural surroundings to create compelling compositions.

Beauty is everywhere, just keep your eyes open and your camera ready.