News

Backpack Journalism and the Renovation of Old Havana

OLD HAVANA, Cuba, 2 November 2011 — A student at a workshop run by the Office of the City Historian recently helps restore a building weakened by the rotting and subsequent expansion of steel reinforcement rods embedded deep in its concrete frame. I was able to document part of the restoration in conjunction with freelance […]

Continue reading

Backpack Documentary Workshop in Havana

HAVANA, Cuba, 31 October 2011 — I began a five-day Backpack Documentary Workshop at the Jose Marti International Institute for Journalism in Havana. About 25 Cubans are attending, including a half dozen or so from the provinces. All are either working professionals or journalism instructors. (Photos by Cesar Alejandro Mas.)

Continue reading

Backpack Journalism at Work in Old Havana

OLD HAVANA, Cuba, 1 November 2011 — An all-female choir associated with Old Havana’s Office of the City Historian records a song recently at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral. The song is designed to draw attention to, and support for, research of Alzheimer’s Disease. I documented the recording session in conjunction with freelance work […]

Continue reading

Backpack Journalism at Work in Old Havana

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 […]

Continue reading

AU Abroad and Backpack Journalism Head to Cuban Cigar Country

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. […]

Continue reading

AU Abroad Students Explore Cuban History, Culture, Politics

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 […]

Continue reading

Archives