I've been to Cuba thrice between 2013-2015; from my first visit, I fell in love with the people.

In spite of the hard life conditions, the poverty and lack of material things, I found people with kindness in their heart, who rather laugh and dance instead of being bitter, welcoming and warm with a strong sense of community.

One can see the man who brings morning coffee to his neighbour who can't get out; the love and connection  between the old couple and between mothers and their children; the pride they have in their dogs, who are treated as family. 

Life in Cuba are outside; still they invited me into their houses, into their intimacy. I hope my pictures reflect my love for the people of Cuba.

My decision, whether to keep a picture in colour or to convert to B/W, is based on the importance vs. destruction of the colour (I shoot Raw). In Cuba, the colours are amazing and in some pictures almost 'make' the picture.  But when I want to be more dramatic, or when I think the colour will be a destruction from something that I feel is more important, I change to Black & White. Imagine the picture of the woman with the cigar and the cloud over her head in colour; it won't have the same effect. Hence my story has an amalgamation of both. It's how I saw Cuba.

Orna Naor, street photographer

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