Guajiro

Inspired by the life of his grandparents, who grew up in the mountains and had a great respect for nature, the photographer Fulvio Bugani headed to Cuba, to portray the lifestyle of the local farmers – the Guajiros. He quickly became aware of the great influence the people living and working there have on him.

LFI: What does photography mean to you?
Fulvio Bugani: For me, photography is a way of life. It’s not just a job or a passion. It’s far more than that. Photography is a way to express and convey important messages, as well as explore the world. This art gives me the opportunity to come into contact with many different people, and that expands my vision and understanding of the world. It is definitely a way to know each other better. That’s what I love about it. It’s a way to be free. To be a photographer you need to have a special attitude, because you have to be right there where things are happening (as Thomas Hoepker said); you have to live with the people and share their daily life with them.

What makes a place interesting or attractive for you to take pictures?
I'm not usually particularly interested in great events or in a special place. What attracts my attention are the people. I can say that I'm deeply in love with them! I’m interested to know the complexity of their daily lives, because there you can always find great stories that are worth telling. For this particular project, I feel like I’m part of the family of Santiago, who is the chief of Caserio La Nueva. Every time I go there I stay in their home, and I have a strong connection with every member of the family. Documenting their life is not just another photographic project, it is my life as well.

How did your equipment help you to accomplish your goals?
The pictures I shot for this project were all taken with a Leica M10 and a Leica Q2, which I find perfect for my needs. I used a 28mm f1.4 Summilux. In the last 7 years, I’ve been using this kind of lens exclusively for my reportages, because it suits my vision best. As a colour photographer, what I love most is the quality of the sensor and the sharpness of the lenses, which ensure fantastic colour rendering. Also the dimensions are really compact and for me this is very important. I need a compact camera for the kind of reportage I usually do. 
I have a special feeling for the M series, because it offers me a different, more thoughtful approach to my photography. (Interview: Danilo Rößger)

All images on this page © Fulvio Bugani
Equipment: Leica M10 with Summilux-M 28/1.4 Asph and Leica Q2
Read the full story in the upcoming LFI 6/2020.