Waters That Resist… for the #monomad challenge
Hello, dear readers and lovers of black and white photography.
In “Waters That Resist”, I portray young people who, armed with nothing but their willpower, clean the estuaries of the Almendares River. Their work is an act of dignity and resistance against the pollution that suffocates the banks of this emblematic river. With gloves, sticks, and determination, these young people reclaim a space that, although forgotten by many, still beats with life. They do it not out of obligation or for recognition; they do it because they understand that the relationship between humans and nature can no longer afford indifference.
The Almendares River, one of Havana’s most iconic waterways, has for decades been both a witness to urban life and a victim of its neglect. The garbage accumulated at its estuaries is not just physical waste; it is evidence of a growing disconnection between society and its natural environment. Photographing this cleanup process is documenting a silent battle against that disconnection.
I used a Canon 60D with a 50 mm f/1.8 lens, keeping apertures between f/2.8 and f/4.0, aiming for a precise depth of field that would highlight the raw textures: worn plastics, dried leaves trapped between debris, firm hands gathering each piece of waste. I chose black and white not only as an aesthetic decision but as a statement. Removing color allowed me to strip the scene down and focus the viewer’s eye on what truly matters: interaction, form, light, and shadow. The absence of color underscores the gravity of the moment and removes any visual distraction that could soften the reality.
More than just physical effort is perceived in each image. There is the accumulated frustration of those who see their surroundings deteriorate day after day, but also the determination and hope of those who refuse to passively watch decay unfold. Their faces, though focused and serious, project a conviction that goes beyond the immediate. This is a conscious youth, one that knows protecting nature is an inescapable duty.
Throughout the day, I observed how their emotions fluctuated. There was evident physical exhaustion, but also moments of satisfaction when an area was finally cleared, even if only temporarily. The glances of camaraderie between them, the discreet smiles when a bag filled with waste, spoke of a deep connection; not just with the place but with each other. The solidarity that emerges in these volunteer acts is one of the purest forms of humanity.
This series is more than a visual document; it is a silent tribute to those hands that, far from giving up, cling to the idea that there is still time to heal what we have damaged. It is also an invitation to rethink our role as individuals within the ecosystem. It is not enough to admire nature from a distance; we must get involved, act, and take responsibility for what is ours.
The act of cleaning a river might seem small in the face of a global problem, but every action counts. And it is precisely this sum of small gestures that lays the foundation for real, lasting change. “Waters That Resist” is, at its core, a visual reminder that respect for nature begins with respect for our immediate surroundings.
