Marabana 2018: My First Big Challenge Behind the Camera…. For the #monomad challenge.

In 2018, with my first camera, a Canon XTi and modest lenses (18-55mm and 75-300mm), I set out to capture an event full of energy and emotion: the Marabana, Cuba’s most iconic race.

At that time, I was just beginning to get familiar with my equipment. It was limited in many ways: the camera required me to adjust settings via the rear screen, which slowed down my response time; the lenses had clear restrictions in reach and quality, and handling complex lighting situations; like the intense backlight dominating the scene; was a challenge.

That day, I wasn’t sure what kind of photography I wanted to pursue or where I was headed. The only certainty was my will to explore, learn, and face the challenge. Marabana wasn’t just an athletic competition, it was an explosion of emotions: tension, effort, joy, and hope filled the air as thousands of runners moved through the streets, watched by spectators and under the watchful eye of a police presence controlling the event.

I felt out of place, uncomfortable, and full of doubts, but also motivated by the possibility of discovering my voice behind the lens. I knew that only by facing uncertainty could I grow, so I went with the clear intention to experiment, make mistakes, and improve.

Looking back at those photos today reminds me that there is no specialization without exploration, nor growth without risk. I consider myself a versatile photographer because my journey began in that mix of chaos, emotion, and technical limitations; and since then, I’ve learned to adapt and tell stories in any environment.

These images are a testimony not only of the event itself but of a crucial moment in my personal and professional development: the moment I decided fear would not stop my passion for photography.