Reflections of My Haitian Pride
The expression of my Haitian pride can be clearly seen through my photography. I enjoy traveling around the country and get to know it better in search of a piece of landscape that has yet to be photographed. I help people discover through my photographs all the natural beauties Haiti possesses.
The journey between photography and I started about two years ago when I bought my first DSLR camera. It was really fascinating to be able to capture just about anything that came in front of my lens. However, I wanted to explore more possibilities, so I started to learn more. I can recall the countless hours spent watching tutorials on YouTube, and reading all the materials I could find to help me master my camera. I like to try various things with my photography, but what really gets me passionate is landscape photography.
It all came to me when I had that trip to the south of the country. I had a blast taking pictures of all sorts of landscapes (caves, beaches, mountains, etc.) that I could lay my eyes on. I started realizing how beautiful Haiti was by seeing all these beautiful things with my own eyes, and immortalizing the scenes with my camera.
That’s when I started to focus a little more on landscape photography. It allows me to travel around the country, and get to know it better. I like to discover a piece of landscape that has yet to be photographed, or to photograph it from my own perspective.
I like to visit a scene that may seem ordinary, banal or even “ugly” to some people, and get the best out of it with my camera. Sometimes, to do so I have to wake up at 4 in the morning, get my gear ready and settle on the beach just to catch a beautiful sunrise. It may sound crazy to some people, but upon seeing the final picture, it’s often not so crazy anymore. Of course sometimes it can be a complete failure, but that’s part of the process of creating something you like.
I joined the Réseau des Jeunes Ambassadeurs d’Haiti (Young Haitian Ambassadors Network) because I knew I would be able communicate with people through my photographs. Hence, I help promote a better image of Haiti though that social project. More of my pictures can be seen on: https://500px.com/florianave, and you can follow the national tour of RJAH on our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ReseauJeunesAmbassadeursHaiti/.