Dennis Welsh's take on Cuba

I’ve been wanting to go to Cuba for a while now. Over the last couple of years I’ve been shooting quite a bit in Mexico, but for one reason or another, haven’t had the opportunity to go over. Now, with the change of administration in the U.S., and the 50th Anniversary of the revolution in Cuba, I thought it was really important to go before sweeping changes took place.

Not knowing exactly what to expect, I went with a couple of story ideas, and was completely and utterly surprised at what I saw. Food rations provided by the government and monthly salaries aren’t enough to support a family’s dietary needs. Everyone that I met seemed to be scrambling in one fashion or another for more.

I knew I was going to be photographing fishermen that relied on what they caught for their sustenance, but what I didn’t expect was really how desperate it was and how very important it was for them to catch fish consistently.

Amidst all of this poverty, what astounded me the most was the sheer graciousness and generosity of the Cubans that I met. Whenever I sat down to a meal with a family or friends, I was always served the most, and turning it back was unheard of. The Cuban people are so proud, proud of who they are, proud of being Cuban. In spite of what’s going on there.

Without a doubt, I’m heading back as soon as I can. And hopefully any changes that take place in the meantime will be changes for the better.