Photojournalism in Cuba!

Tori Bamford Start Date: Oct 30, 2017 - End Date: Jan 4, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Cuba
  • Havana, Cuba

My Travel Story

by: Tori Bamford Start Date: Oct 30, 2017 - End Date: Jan 4, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
I’ve never taken a formal class about photography, but it’s a favorite hobby. I primarily use my iPhone to take pictures because I almost always have it with me. I recognize that the capabilities of an iPhone are limited, but I have found that it’s practical because of its small size. I believe that this allows me to be able to take any picture in the moment that I’m experiencing it. One of my favorite things to do with photography is experiment with different angles and perspectives. Of these some of my best pictures have incorporated shadows, water droplets and silhouettes in landscapes.

The pictures included here are two of my favorites that I took with my iPhone a few years ago, and I would be happy to show anyone more if they wanted. The other picture is DSLR camera that I used my savings to buy. I bought it shortly after I knew I was accepted onto this trip, but think it was a worth while purchase because I have wanted to learn how to use this kind of camera for a while. Before buying it, I made sure that I did a lot of research about how to use a DSLR and what kind of camera would be user friendly to a beginner. I am very excited to expand this knowledge on the trip! :)

I want to participate in this trip to Cuba because I want to learn more about photography. Since I’ve never taken a formal class on the subject, I’m not familiar with any special techniques or any of the various capabilities of different cameras. I’m also interested in this trip because one focus will be photojournalism. One of my favorite Facebook pages is called “Humans of New York” where the photographer talks to all kinds of people around NYC but has also gone abroad. I think this is a very unique window into someone else’s life that would be completely missed if you just passed them on the street. The photographer of the page, Brandon Stanton, asks people and takes pictures of all sorts of things from the not serious, like children’s fashion, “Today in Microfashion,” to the very serious like interviewing Syrian Refugees. I believe that I’d be able to have a similar experience in Cuba especially after Hurricane Irma. Even before the storm happened though, I thought it would be a great chance to meet people from a different culture than my own.

This trip will be my first experience abroad. The total trip cost is $3,800, but I've already covered $2,000 of it with the initial $500 application fee and a short term travel scholaship of $1,500 from the International Education Department at school. Any money raised from this is what I want for Christmas and my birthday this next year. Throught my life my goal is to see as much of the world as I can and this is where I will start!
  • Cuba
  • Havana, Cuba

Adventure Registry

  • Application Fee

    500
    Overpaid Tuition
    • Granted

  • Short Term Travel Scholarship

    1,500
    Eckerd International Education
    • Granted

  • Camera and Equipment

    300
    Personal Savings
    • Granted