A Photo-Journalist's Journey to Cuba

I took up photography at the age of 13 in my home state of Minnesota when I inherited an old film camera. I set up a darkroom in the only bathroom in my family’s home of seven. I’ve been a photographer ever since.  After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, I earned a Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics from Stanford and spent the next 45 years investigating the effects of explosions on structures. In retirement, I improved my photography skills considerably by joining the Palo Alto Camera Club and their excellent mentoring program.  During the last decade I have used photography to capture the people and cultures of other countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. 

In February 2015, I was invited to be visiting artist to Cuba. This status allowed me to wander freely, mainly in Havana, and engage with numerous Cuban citizens. I quickly gravitated toward learning about living conditions of average Cuban citizens under the Castro regime since the Revolution in 1959.  My photographs and my talk describe what I found.