“Carboneros de Cuba” began in 2017 outside the village of Cabagan, a village near Trinidad, where Mario and Incensio were tending a small pile of marabu wood covered by an earthen kiln. Like other campesinos making carbon (charcoal), they preserve a centuries old Cuban tradition, one experiencing a revival as Cubanos struggle to find cooking fuel. Subsequent shoots over the next eight years included carbon piles near Trinidad as well as Baracoa, Vinales and San Jose.

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Typically, the lighting was minimal and easily portable: kerosene lamps, oil cans, flashlights and small video lamps.  Often, the carbon pile was backlit to accentuate unique smoke patterns.  On fortunate nights, a bright moon further illuminated the landscape. Portraits were shot in front of a black cloth slung between trees and lit by a single flashlight.

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Much gratitude to all those involved in the project, including Yram Marrero, Yeni Boada, Roberto Garcia, Carlos Sendín, Gonzalo A. López, Mariela Martí, Manuel Almenares, Lisandra Alvarez, Alexis Álvarez especially to all the Carboneros and families who graciously participated.