Backpack Journalism Blog

HAVANA, Cuba, 31 October 2011 — Young Cesar recently navigates the parallel bars with the assistance of a therapist at a center for disabled children in Old Havana. The center is operated by the Office of the City Historian. I had the opportunity to shoot this session as the result of a backpack journalism I’ve initiated here.

(Photo by Bill Gentile.)

VINALES, Cuba, 8 October 2011 – A Cuban tobacco farmer shows American University students how to roll cigars. At left from foreground to background are Chelsea Crandall, Dara Jackson-Garrett, Cristina Khan and Emmalee Kinard. Enrolled in the AU Abroad program, they are spending fall semester studying at Casa de las Americas, Cuba’s premier cultural institute. I’m teaching my Photojournalism and Social Documentary class, the precursor of the methodology that I refer to as “backpack journalism.” At right, Benito rolls a cigar in a structure he uses to dry tobacco before selling to cigar manufacturers in Havana. In the center is a Cuban friend, Nelson.

(Photo by Bill Gentile.)

BANAO, Cuba, 2 October 2011 – AU Abroad students Chelsea Crandall (above left) and Dara Jackson-Garrett negotiate a swift-running creek on a nature preserve just outside this Cuban city. Efrain Ramirez can be seen on the far right.

BANAO, Cuba, 2 October 2011 – A Cuban ranch hand (above) prepares mules for American University students to ride at a nature preserve just outside this Cuban city.

(Photos by Bill Gentile.)

PLAYA GIRON, Cuba, 30 September 2011 — AU Abroad students watch a documentary about the failed U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961. Six American University students are studying this semester at Casa de las Americas, Cuba’s premier cultural center in Havana. I’m teaching my Photojournalism and Social Documentary class, the foundation for the methodology that we refer to as “backpack journalism.” The students are taking four other courses, all from Cuban professors.

PLAYA GIRON, Cuba, 30 September 2011 — AU Abroad students studying in Cuba this fall semester (above) tour the Museo Playa Giron memorializing the U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961. A museum guide walks them through the complex.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, 1 October 2011 – Emmalee Kinard (above) takes a break from making pictures at the monument to Ernesto “Che” Guevara to discuss her impressions of the revolutionary leader.

(Photos by Bill Gentile.)

PLAYA GIRON, Cuba, 30 September 2011 — AU Abroad students studying in Cuba this fall semester tour the Museo Playa Giron memorializing the U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961. A large mortar used during the invasion is seen in the foreground. Six American University students are studying this semester at Casa de las Americas, Cuba’s premier cultural center in Havana. I’m teaching my Photojournalism and Social Documentary class, the foundation for the methodology that we refer to as “backpack journalism.” The students are taking four other courses, all from Cuban professors.

(Photo by Bill Gentile.)