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PHOTOGRAPHY ADVENTURE VACATIONS

Guest Showcase

The World’s Most Creative and Inspiring Photo Adventure Vacations

MICHAEL COHEN

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

United States

Michael and his wife Marci attended one of our Cuba Photo and Cultural Adventures, straight from a trip in Patagonia. We thoroughly enjoyed the Cohens, and they thoroughly enjoyed the people, music, culture and photographic opportunities of Cuba. One of the things we noticed about Michael’s technique was his patience and approach to capturing his images. Whether he was using a DSLR or a Mirrorless Rangefinder, he would carefully compose his images and click the shutter just when the shot was right. His ability to immediately engage people while creating a comfort zone was quite impressive. Michael often set out on his own, in his own world, intent on securing that prized shot. It was a pleasure having the Cohens and look forward to seeing them on future photo adventures. (NOTE: Michael now guides photo adventures for PWA)

© Michael Cohen  |  Havana, Cuba  |  Photo Workshop Adventures  |  Nikon D800  |  Nikkor 35mm f/2  |  Exposure f4 at 1/80th sec  |  ISO 560

I left the hotel at about 6:30 one morning in Havana to shoot the local folks as their day began and the light was warm. I wasn’t feeling too productive and by 8am I had only a couple of decent captures and started to head back. On the final street before turning the corner to the hotel, I walked past the blue grate and looked inside. There are a few artisans getting ready for their day. The gate was locked but I motioned to unlock it which they did. I stepped inside with my camera and this gentleman had tied a piece of fishing line to the grate and was working on his fishing lures. The indirect light coming through the grate brought out his features as he nodded to me that I could photograph him. I shot 6 images. This was the first one. (see more photos below)

ABOUT MICHAEL

As a high school student in the 70’s I seemed to always have a camera in front of my face. But I put the camera down shortly thereafter and didn’t start photographing seriously again until digital had made its mark. Now retired from advertising, I find photography to be an incredible means of self-expression and a vehicle to meet new people, travel to new places and have a tremendous amount of fun. My photos are still a work in progress, but its work that I love.

A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL

Why did you choose Photo Workshop Adventures?

I had been very anxious to go to Cuba for several years. When we were finally able to plan the trip I asked my wife if she was willing to do a photography workshop instead of another type of cultural tour. I reviewed six different photography tours and spoke to the leaders of four of them. Photo Workshop Adventures (PWA) stood out as seeming to be the best organized, the best itinerary and they were very responsive to all my questions (and there were plenty of them!). The actual trip was fantastic and I really felt that we got immersed into Cuban culture, which is exactly what we wanted.

What do you enjoy most about photography?

I have been fortunate to travel to some of the most photogenic places on earth. I love to capture the faces of the world and the cultural environments they live in. I love to shoot. I don’t love to post process. Being in the field, interacting with people, nature or wildlife is such an immersive experience. The camera becomes part of you and the rest of the world just melts away.

What are your goals and ambitions as a photographer?

As a non-professional, I have the luxury of shooting for myself. Of course I love when others appreciate my photographs and am very honored when someone wants a print to hang in their home or office. My ambition is that photography always provide the excitement for me that it does now.

A complete collection of Michael’s photography can be viewed on his website at MSCPix.com

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