Sometimes, walking with a camera in hand is more than just a photographic exercise; it’s a search for air, for angles, for soul.
In 2018, equipped with my Canon XTi and two lenses, an 18-55mm and a 75-300mm, I set out to explore Havana with the urge to see beyond the ordinary. I started in Old Havana, like many do, but soon realized everything felt like “more of the same.” The tourist perfect scenes, repeated endlessly, no longer satisfied me. I needed a different energy, a different texture, a different point of view.
So I moved toward El Vedado. The city breathes differently there, wider, freer, more unpredictable. As I wandered aimlessly, as I often did back then, one thing led to another, and I found myself with a rare opportunity: to climb onto the rooftop of the legendary Hotel Nacional de Cuba.
From that height, Havana transformed. It was no longer just what you walk through or touch; it became something to observe, to respect. I aimed toward the coastline, El Morro, and distant neighborhoods. The 75-300mm allowed me to reach into the distance with precision; the 18-55mm gave me intimacy and context. Each shot felt like a conquest; of light, atmosphere, and the silent stories of the city.
These photos are more than just part of an archive. They mark a key stage in my growth as a photographer. At the time, I was also using Nikon gear at work, but this Canon was mine, personal, emotional, visceral. I’ll be sharing other series from that period soon, but this one holds a special place. Because it was from that rooftop that I truly understood: photography isn’t just about what you see… it’s about what you discover when you dare to look from another height.
