Damaso Reyes Photography » Travel

From Way Back

Damaso — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:09:21 +0000

It’s an old trope but as an American it’s hard to go to a City like Istanbul and not be impressed by how old everything is. Our host Erol told us how every time the city starts on a new public works program, like say a new subway line, they come across some ruins. Sometimes it’s a fully preserved ship with all kinds of cool stuff in the hold. Other times it’s the oldest working port ever discovered.

The "new" Mosque is still about 500 years old...

I can see how that would slow things up but for a history buff it’s amazing to think about how long people have been walking on the particular spot you happen to be on…

The City of Seven Hills

Damaso — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:04:06 +0000

So did everyone but me know how hilly Istanbul is? Were you just not telling me? Of all the preconceptions I had of this town it never once occurred to me how hilly it is, and should be, after all it straddles two continents. As a New Yorker I insist on walking everywhere so invariably anything I wanted to see or do was up a hill. And not some little incline but a huffing and puffing mini-mountain, or so it seemed.

Istanbul, March 2012

But I digress. I really loved Istanbul, weather aside (who knew how cold it could get there? Or that is snows in Istanbul, I had no clue) it is a lovely city and watching ships go by on the Bosporus at night is something I’ll never forget.

Istanbul Bound

Damaso — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:05:29 +0000

And… I’m Off! To Istanbul for a bit to do some research and get to know the city a bit.

It will be my first time in Turkey so I’m very much looking forward to it. As the European Union expands the question of whether or not Turkey should join is the central question. It will be interesting to hear the perspectives of the people I will meet there. Stay tuned for a full report!

Bye, Bye!

Back in BCN

Damaso — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:25:10 +0000

I’m baaaaaaaaaack!

New York, December 15, 2011

I saw this sticker on the subway the day I was leaving. Clearly it is a sign and a good one at that. It has taken me a bit longer than expected to return to Barcelona but here I am, ready to continue work and discover new realities.

Barcelona December 20, 2011

Having a dream and realizing it are two completely different things. Many people also think that realizing a dream should be easy which is the exact opposite of the truth: by definition achieving a dream is one of the hardest things you can do. Time after time I talk to people, especially photographers who know what their dream is but find excuses for not pursing it. They ask me for solutions. I tell them I have none. Coming up with answers is easier than you think. Coming up with reasons not to follow your heart is even easier….

Forever and a Day

Damaso — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:03:59 +0000

And what comes next?

The Ones

Damaso — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:02:05 +0000

"We work for the children because they are the ones who know how to Love" Jose Marti

The Sentinel

Damaso — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:33 +0000

Theater of the Absurd

Damaso — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:59:01 +0000

Dolphins. Havana 2011

That Feeling

Damaso — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:58:53 +0000

Cloud. Havana 2011

Is as intangible as a cloud on a moonlit night in Havana. Being there is so important it’s hard for me to believe that anyone gets anything out of my images. That’s why I became a photographer: I wanted to be there.

Music Man

Damaso — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:17:51 +0000

We were walking home from old town and heard the sounds of clave and drumming. We investigated and found a moment.

Standing Around

Damaso — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:16:05 +0000

Baseball Te Amo

Damaso — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:08:35 +0000

Preseason practice, Havana

You already know how I feel about baseball, at least I hope you do. Going down to Cuba represented an opportunity to see the approach they take to their baseball. I can say they seem to have the most passionate fans and some of the nicest and most engaged players I’ve ever met. Technically these players aren’t professionals. They actually have regular jobs for which they get paid. Of course that’s not the whole story but you don’t have any swaggering multimillionaires here either.

"Sports are the right of the people"

The Slow Guide to Photography

Damaso — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:02:15 +0000

In the past I have shot more images in a few hours than I ended up shooting in a month in Cuba during this most recent trip. Why? Well for me this trip was more about learning about my surroundings and experiencing Cuba than shooting blindly. I don’t think I took a single frame the first week I was there. And I was okay with that. What I like about photojournalism is the chance it gives you as a photographer to explore. Now granted many of us don’t exactly take advantage of that opportunity but if that’s the case we have no one else to blame but ourselves.

So I took the slow approach. I wandered, got lost and found my way again. Most importantly I had a great time. Oh, and I took a few images along the way.

Back from Havana

Damaso — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:24:58 +0000

"Today, Tomorrow, Always"

Well I just got back this weekend from a month in Havana. You might have noticed I was posting photos from my last trip instead of the images I was taking while I was down there. I did this for two reasons. First, the internet is slow and expensive there. Second, I waited until I returned to even edit the images. That’s right I was not downloading and editing every day but just shooting. I actually prefer to work this way whenever possible. For me this trip was more about background research and getting to know Cuba, well at least Havana. One of the things that struck me is a complete lack of advertising. There are no billboards for fast food or new cars or iPads. The messages we see in public spaces are controlled by the state but come in some interesting forms. So over the next week or so I will be sharing these images, and some other with you!

"Every Cuban should know how to shoot and shoot well"

Life in Cuba is a Laugh Riot

Damaso — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:45:47 +0000

More fun than you can believe!