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Think it over first
here we have a page advertising photo tours in Cuba with nude models; https://chrisbakerphototours.com/nude-p … tour-cuba/ Cuba has lots of fascinating old buildings (partly because they can't afford to build new ones) and a traditionally liberal attitude towards most things related to sex and nudity, so you might think this was a good idea. On reading further however, there are contra-indications. In the first place, $4995.00 for a 7 day day tour is a complete rip-off. And that doesn't even include the air fare from the US, never mind the UK. So obviously this is something that has been put together with the co-operation of the Cuban state with the primary objective of obtaining hard currency. How could it be otherwise, realistically speaking? Economically, Cuba is a basket case like much of Latin America, it's financial ruin brought about by gauche economic policies over the 66 years since the revolution. Reading on, the itinerary looks good...apart the preceding passage which reads, "subject to change". If you are a serious photographer, you need a greater degree of certainty than that, if not an absolute guarantee that what you're paying for is what you'll get. So who is this aimed at? Mainly people with lots of money. Moving on to the terms and conditions, this passage is worth noting; Responsibility Christopher P. Baker LLC and his agents act only in the capacity as agents in all matters pertaining to hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, and transportation, and are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury to person or property resulting from a defect in any vehicle, or the actions of any persons who provide services for this tour or for the action or inaction of any third party. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw the tour at any time, and to decline any person as a member of the tour for any cause at any time. This literally means that they can take your money, then cancel the whole tour or parts of it at any time, without having to refund you or even give you a reason. I think National Geographic should really have given a bit more thought to this before lending their name to it. If the Cubans want to improve their economy through this kind tourism, the way to do it is to allow unrestricted access to and freedom of movement within Cuba, and freedom from state regulation in all respects. They don't need to be treating everybody as though they're a CIA operative, even if they are a former CIA operative, like Philip Agee. Photography is generally non-political. May 12 24 02:58 am Link Looks like a scam to me rather than a real business proposition. May 12 24 05:59 am Link Very expensive. No regard for the customer, they reserve the right to bail at any moment for any reason. LOTS of beautiful women everywhere, no real reason to go to Cuba. May 12 24 08:08 am Link Dunno if it’s a “Scam”or not - I agree it does sound expensive. Cuba ain’t that far away and hotel rooms are cheaper than they are in Los Angeles or Nashville. I would bet the tour agents’ disclaimer is practically boilerplate in that business. If you ever read the disclaimer on a film processing envelope, it basically boiled down to “We can deliberately throw your film in the trash as soon as you walk out the door, and all we are on the hook for is one roll of unexposed film.” Telegrams had a clause in the boilerplate on the form to submit them that said they were not under obligation to actually do squat other than “make an attempt”. Disclaimers are in agreements to limit liability of the business -who, in this case, is a Limited Liability Corporation in the first place, thereby shielding a lot of the assets of the principals. Doesn’t mean they are “scammers”. Nothing sinister in any of that, if you are not using contracts (prepared by a real lawyer) to limit your liability when dealing with the public you are taking a real risk that some random event can cost you your business, or at least cost you money and time in dealing with it. In my opinion, if this or something like it is of interest to you, you’d want to research what previous tours this group conducted and what the former customers think of them. If they have never done this work before, I’d be extremely skeptical. If this is their tenth year of doing business…I’d be only slightly skeptical. Could be awesome…could be the next Fyre Festival. May 12 24 08:38 am Link I doubt if it's a scam. However the cost far exceeds what other destination group shoots is. Because that's what this really is; a group shoot. The organizer sets up the location, the models, the time of day, etc. Then you take turns with the other attndees shooting the model within the boundaries of the location and time constraints setup by the organizer. At best, you get to tweak someone else's mood board to take your own photos. For me, planning the logistics, setting up the location, time (need to look up the angels of the sun and shadows), etc.. is part of being a photographer. To use hunting as a metaphor, it's difference between going out to the woods, camping, and finding your prey, then take it down and bring it back, vs. going to a farm, entering the pig pen, and shooting a pig. Sure you get bacon on the table either way, but can you claim hunter cred in both scenarios? As for the politics, the US trade embargo with Cuba restricts travel to the country and spending money that directly benefits the goverment. No business that's fully or partially owned by the Cuban goverment should be patronized. "For the benefit of the Cuban people" is a valid reason that essentially means that you only give money to private hotels, restaurants, and services. May 12 24 06:00 pm Link And when a guy named Castro talks about "Benefit to the Cuban People..." you listen! (lol...just couldn't resist!) May 12 24 06:16 pm Link Francisco Castro wrote: It isn't a scam in the sense that the tour doesn't exist, but the terms and conditions are such that you would be taking a big, big risk and spending too much money. I don't buy the bit about it being for the benefit the Cuban people; where exactly does the $5k go? I'm guessing that the hotel bills with meals for 7 days and the model fees should come to about $1500.00 tops, add a bit for travel to locations and that would still be less than 33% of what they're asking. So the rest must go to the tour operators, presumably connected to the Cuban state. May 13 24 04:05 am Link JSouthworth wrote: While NG is mentioned in various places on the website, it is used directly in connection with the past work of the sponsoring photographer, not an explicit endorsement, like you are suggesting. May 13 24 05:20 am Link Dan Howell wrote: Lending their name? Perhaps I should re-phrase that as, allowing the use of their name in that context. I think it could be interpreted as implying that Baker is organising the tour as an employee of National Geographic, or on behalf of National Geographic. May 13 24 05:35 am Link JSouthworth wrote: Were you confused about the idea that they would ever actively allow or disallow the use of factual information? May 13 24 05:42 am Link Dan Howell wrote: The factual information is that Baker has worked for National Geographic as a photographer, that isn't being disputed. He's also described as an expert on Cuba, which suggests he's spent a lot of time there. And you don't spend a lot of time in Cuba unless you're on good terms with the Cuban government, especially if you're from the US or the UK, because if they even suspect you of doing anything against them they give you a hard time. Relations between Cuba and the US and UK have never been good since 1959. May 13 24 05:44 am Link JSouthworth wrote: Once agin - nonsense. First: $5000. for 7 days including accommodations, meals, models, transportation is not at all a "rip-off." Santa Fe and Maine Media workshops run close to that amount for 5 days. The workshop to Mexico 5 days $3000. plus $500 for housing and no meals for example. No workshop will guarantee its itinerary - how could it with all the canges that can happen over night. Where do you get the idea they wouldn't refund your money if the Workshop canceled? As for Cuba having a "liberal attitude toward sex and nudity", If you read the Workshops information you would see that pornography is banned in Cuba and the emphasis will not be on sexy since Cuba is quite conservative in that regard. May 13 24 05:56 pm Link I have a Model Mayhem friend who runs a successful phototour series in Utah and Mexico. For maybe three full days it is $3000 in Utah. These tours are marketing to the idea of having a great time, a turning point in life. The setups are gorgeous, etc., models look great. No one is forcing you to go and really don't need to warn people about these things. These guys run a a cuba thing and charge 7900 for ten days http://www.nomadphotoexpeditions.com/ph … beyond-24/ and you even get a. . . voodoo session https://photoworkshopadventures.com/nor … shing-cuba is same time period and just under 9 grand. You can do a tour for cheaper. You can do $3000 for 14 days etc. Of course you want to shoot nude models on film, Cuba on film well it will cost and possibly rock your wallet into spendthrift condition. Trying to warn Americans about Americans or any photographer who has worked for National Geographic is like trying to warn a tiger about tigers. "Be Careful," you say, "They have fangs. " The Tiger just yawns and says "What the fuck are these? Bone scissors?" May 13 24 07:46 pm Link LA StarShooter wrote: I wouldn't want to be too judgemental. Cuba is a dictatorship but I'm sure there are some likeable aspects. Philip Agee, who I mentioned earlier, spent a lot of time there after the left the CIA and eventually died there in 2008. He claimed that he underwent an ideological conversion but his relationships with Latin American women were a social factor I think. May 14 24 03:20 am Link |
