Photography Guide Haiti

Beautifully Flawed One | Photography Guide
HAITI
Beautifully Flawed One | Photography Guide

T R AV E L A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y G U I D E
H A I T I
b e a u t i f u l l y f l a w e d o n e
Certain things in life simply have to be experienced – and never explained.
Love is such a thing. [Haiti is another.] - Paulo Coelho

B E A U T I F U L L Y F L A W E D O N E
t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s
INTRODUCTION
CAP – HATIEN - SUBJECT
PORT-AU-PRINCE - LIGHTING
JACMEL - COMPOSITION
COTE DES ARCADINS - EDITING
KENSCOFF - STORYTELLING
ITINERARY
FAQS

I N T R O D U C T I O N
N O T E S F R O M T H E A U T H O R
T h e r e i s b e a u t y e v e r y w h e r e …
…even in everyone, for those who bother to look. Yes, there is more
than a single story about a place and this is true of Haiti. This is part
photography tutorial, part travel guide of a place that I left, but will
never leave me.

Y O U R
A D V E N T U R E
A W A I T S
This guide was created not only to share my
experience, but to inspire a story of your own. The
magic of photography is that it helps us to identify
beauty in the ordinary. With the skills you learn here,
you can begin your adventure whether at home or
abroad.
A N S E - A - G A L E T

C A Y E S J A C M E L
E S S E N T I A L S
w h a t y o u ’ l l n e e d
• Smartphone (my camera = iPhone 7)
• Travel Tripod w/ Cell Phone Attachment
or
• A willing set of hands belonging to a person
that is equally willing to follow instructions
Last but not least…
• A spark for adventure, a pinch of faith, and
the unshakable feeling that there is more to
this life than our current experiences

C A P - H AT I E N
s u b j e c t
n o o r d , h a i t i
A city in northern Haiti, once considered the Paris of the Antilles.
However, it’s splendor and wonder stands without comparison. The
setting here is perfect your photography subject.

T R AV E L
T I P
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n
Getting to Cap-Haitien can be done by ground or air. Flying to
Cap-Haïtien International Airport from Port-au-Prince takes about
20 minutes and costs anywhere from $140 - $200 USD. The
lowest cost airline is Sunrise Airway which isn’t found on
traditional flight search engines. However, a page like
Momondo.com includes this company and can help you compare
the best rates.
By car, you can expect to travel for 6 – 8 hrs. Private transport
prices depend on the number of passengers and season.
However, Sans Souci Tours is a local bus company that has daily
trips to the city. The price one way is roughly $17 USD.
I L E A R A T

T R AV E L T I P
a c c o m m o d a t i o n s
This region of Haiti boasts of some of the most breathtaking
hotels and guesthouses in the country. However, at a price to
match. For the budget traveler, Lauriers Hostel provides
inexpensive, shared room accommodations just outside of the
city ($28 USD/night on airbnb).
For a more luxurious experience, try Satama Hotel. At around
$130 USD for a standard room you can expect gorgeous
terrace views of the ocean and delicious meals on site.
Additionally, you can stay oceanfront near Labadee at Chato
Relaxo for approximately $150 USD/ night on airbnb. This
beautiful bungalow is ideal for small parties and provides for a
unique experience.
No matter where you stay, your hotel can arrange airport or
bus stop pick ups. Be prepared to pay $15 – 30 USD for
private transport. Alternatively, you can barter for a taxi or
moto-taxi. Just ask your hotel to estimate how much transport
should cost to ensure your fare is reasonable.

C I T A D E L L E A N D S A N S O U C I
m i l o t , n o o r d , h a i t i
Citadelle Lafferiere is an iconic fortress
and symbol of Haitian freedom. This
structure, notably the largest in the
Western Hemisphere, is situated atop of
the mountain Bonnet a L’Eveque. At the
base of the mountain is San Souci
palace built for Henri Christophe in
1812. Both attractions warrant a visit
when in Cap Haitien.
C I T A D E L L E L A F F E R I E R E

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP
s u b j e c t
The subject in photography is the center of focus in an image. This can range
from an inanimate object to a feature in the landscape. For our purposes, we will
limit this section to “you” and your environment as the lead actors. Because
let’s be honest, travel photography is a delicate balance between showcasing a
place AND showcasing you. No one is here for landscape photography tips.
Most of us want pictures of ourselves exploring the world (where ever that may
be). To balance person and place effectively thus creating beautiful images,
clothing/accessories, movement, and positioning should be considered.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP
s u b j e c t
C L O T H I N G / A C C E S S O R I E S
Before you begin packing, maybe even before you book your flight or hop
in your car, plan all of your travel outfits. This might seem like overkill but
trust me, you won’t regret this vital step. Making sure you bring statement
items can take your photos to the next level by adding complexity and
originality to the pictures. Be sure to stay true to your style but go wild.
Ladies, bring a wide brim hat, maxi dress or cover up that moves, eye
catching jewelry, and even a prop like an umbrella. Fellas, bring some
sunglasses, a shirt with a message or your fav jersey, and a bright colored
jacket or swim trunks.

SIMPLICITY
IS THE NATURE
OF GREAT
SOULS
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP | subject - positioning
Where you stand, sit, lay down etc. matters! If you’re using a tripod or acting as the
model and creative director, then the quality of the shot greatly depends on where you
are in frame. Try following the rule of thirds by positioning yourself left of center or
right of center. Try positioning yourself closer to the camera for a portrait photo or
further away for a better view of the scenery. (To be continued in the subsequent
chapters.)

TRAVEL TIP
g e t t i n g t o t h e f o r t r e s s a n d p a l a c e
Your hotel can help you secure a tour for $70+ USD
or take the local route by riding a shared vehicle
called a tap-tap for $1 USD to get to Milot. If you
venture to take a tap-tap, you’ll have to pay an
additional $7 – 10 USD to take a moto-taxi to the
Citadelle’s entrance, where the entrance ticket is $5
USD . You can choose to walk 45 min – 1 hr up to
the actually fortress or you can ride horseback for
an additional $15 USD. There is even a guide
available to provide details about the site if you are
interested (prices vary).
S A N S O U C I P A L A C E

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP
s u b j e c t
M O V E M E N T
Now I bet you’re wondering, “what should I actually do in my
pictures?” Looking natural without looking repetitive is a challenge.
However, take a tip from the pros and try moving in slow motion.
While a willing set of hands hold down the shutter button to take
rapid fire shots, or you use a timer to capture a pic every few
seconds, walk, jump, raise your arms, remove an
accessory…MOVE! You’ll be pleased with the results.

TRAVEL TIP
ILE
A
RAT
From Cap-Haitien secure private transport ($$$) or ride a moto taxi for about $5 USD to the main
beach front along the coast. For around $34 USD RT a water taxi will take you from a public dock
outside of Royal Caribbean's private resort Labadee to the small island of Ile a Rat. If you don’t want to
spend the money or don’t have the time you can opt for small beaches nearby. Make sure you visit
small town of Labadie to interact with locals and enjoy the beautiful waters from a wooden canoe.

C I T A D E L L E L A F F E R I E R E
B A L A N C E D D I S P L A Y O F T H E E N V I O R N E M E N T A N D S U B J E C T
PHOTOGRAPHY BREAKDOWN | subject
“ e v e r y o n e i s
p h o t o g e n i c . ”
jj t i z o u
P O S I T I O N E D A T A D I S T A N C E
M I D - W A L K P O S E
S T A T E M E N T A C C E S S O R Y
C L O T H I N G W / M O V E M E N T
The simple belief that
everyone is beautiful allows
us to see others fully,
experience a place
completely, and view
ourselves graciously. So let
your confidence shine
through, knowing that YOU
ARE BEAUTIFUL. (PS. You
can probably stop reading
now. This is the most
valuable photography tip
anyone can share with you.

P O RT- AU- P R I N C E
L I G H T I N G
o u e s t , h a i t i
Haiti’s capital and most populous city, Port-au-Prince is the heartbeat
of the country.

D O M O R E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

D O M O R E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

ALMA | Presentation Template
T H R O U G H
S I M P L I C I T Y
C O M E S G R E AT
B E A U T Y
Far far away, behind the
word mountains, far from the
countries Vokalia and
Consonantia

T H E R E I S
B E A U T Y I N
S I M P L I C I T Y
15-
Far far away, behind the word mountains,
far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts.
Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove.

ALMA | Presentation Template
A
ALMA | Presentation Template

BOOK
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word
mountains, far from the countries
Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in
Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of
the Semantics, a large language ocean.

S I M P L I C I T Y

i n t r o d u c t i o n
Part photography guide. Part travel memoir. A place
that I left, but will never leave me. This is my Haiti.
A L M A
Presentation 2017
PPT 15 Cost 20

A L M A P R E S E N T A T I O N
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word
mountains, far from the countries
Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in
Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of
the Semantics, a large language ocean.

A L M A | Presentation Template
A B O U T-
ME
.15
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far
from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia,
there live the blind texts. Separated they live
in Bookmarksgrove.

Far far away, behind the
word mountains, far from the
countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they
live in Bookmarksgrove.
S I M P L I -
C I T Y

D O M O R E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

N AT U R E L O V E
S I M P L I C I T Y
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in
Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

S TA R T
Y O U R O W N
A D V E N T U R E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r

S TA R T
Y O U R O W N
A D V E N T U R E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r

T H E R E I S
B E A U T Y I N
S I M P L I C I T Y
Far far away, behind the
word mountains, far from the
countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they
live in Bookmarksgrove.

L O O K
B
O
O
K
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

Y O U R S I T E H E R E
S I M P L I C I T Y
I S T H E N AT U R E
O F G R E AT
S O U L S
Y O U R S I T E H E R E

ALMA | Presentation Template
S I M P L I -
C I T Y
Y O U R P R E S E N T A T I O N

K E E P
S I M P L E
A L M A | P r e s e n t a t i o n T e m p l a t e

LOOK
BOOK
B E A U T Y
S I M P L I C I T Y
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

ALMA | Presentation Template
T H R O U G H
S I M P L I C I T Y
C O M E S G R E AT
B E A U T Y

A L M A
ALMA | Presentation Template

CLE-
AN
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove.

T H E R E I S
B E A U T Y I N
S I M P L I C I T Y

p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean.

A L M A | Presentation Template
T H E R E I S
B E A U T Y I N
S I M P L I C I T Y
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word
mountains, far from the countries
Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in
Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of
the Semantics, a large language ocean.

S I M -
P L I-
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
C I T Y
Far far away, behind the word
mountains, far from the countries
Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in
Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of
the Semantics, a large language ocean.

SIMPLICITY
IS THE NATURE
OF GREAT
SOULS
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean.

A L M A | Presentation Template
15

T H E R E I S
B E A U T Y I N
S I M P L I C I T Y
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word
mountains, far from the countries
Vokalia and Consonantia, there
live the blind texts.

T H E N AT U R E
O F P L A C E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word
mountains, far from the countries
Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in
Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of
the Semantics, a large language ocean.

T H R O U G H
S I M P L I C I T Y
C O M E S G R E AT
B E A U T Y

Far far away, behind the word mountains,
far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts.
Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large
language ocean.
Far far away, behind the word mountains,
far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts.
Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large
language ocean.

T H E R E I S
B E A U T Y I N
S I M P L I C I T Y
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove.

A L M A | Presentation Template
P H O N E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
.15
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from
the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

P H O N E
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains,
far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts.
Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large
language ocean.

B E A U T Y
S I M P L I C I T Y
Far far away, behind the word
mountains, far from the countries
Vokalia and Consonantia, there live
the blind texts.

B E A U T Y I N S I M P L I C I T Y
A L M A | Presentation Template
p r e s e n t a t i o n h e a d e r
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the
countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the
blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove
right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language
ocean.

B E A U T Y I N S I M P L I C I T Y
Far far away, behind the word mountains,
far from the countries Vokalia and
Consonantia, there live the blind texts.

T H R O U G H
S I M P L I C I T Y
C O M E S G R E AT
B E A U T Y