testimonials

Here is what some of the many happy Camera Odysseys' participants have to say.

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It was my pleasure to travel with Bruce and Camera Odysseys to Cuba.  It has been a dream to visit Cuba and this trip exceeded my expectations.  With Bruce, Pepe and Carlos by our sides, we visited so many wonderful places including artist studios, tobacco farms, historical sites, and of course, fabulous restaurants. Bruce was so helpful with our photography.  I still cannot believe my cell phone took so many outstanding photos.  It is so hard to decide, from my 2100 photos, which two or three are the best!  

Thank you all for making Cuba and our future experiences possible!  I am packed and ready for our trip to Nepal for 2023!

All the best,

Lynda

Good Afternoon All,

Just a quick note to say what a fantastic trip I had with all of you. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of the group attendees and staff from Camera Odyssey. The event was well planned and came together seamlessly. Having Jim along to teach me about the X1D Hasselblad was the icing on the cake for the trip. With Bruce by my side, many times making suggestions and critiquing the shots, added so much to the event I cannot start to describe my thoughts.

Thinking back over the places we visited and photos we took makes the memories unmatchable. The entire trip was very smoothly run and would have only been possible with the experience Bruce has after all of his trips to Cuba. His personal and professional photography experience with attention to details made all this possible. Our meals were well planned and very good. The accommodations at the Casas were more than adequate considering the pricing and country we were in. Having a quality breakfast prepared in our room on time was a huge plus. As I sort through the hundreds of photos I took, the great memories keep coming back of the location I was at when I took them. I look forward to the next trip to and to see what exciting places he will introduce us to. Gary McKinley

Dear Bruce, Pepe, Carlos and the best group ever:

I was waiting to be the last one to write so that I don’t break the spell 😂!!!! I am still living in my Cuba Cloud full of colors, textures, music, and magnificent people! It was such an amazing trip full of learning, adventures, friends, fun and of course my sister!!!

I can’t imagine it could have been better.

I miss capturing all those moments with my camera (with the right ISO, A and S), I also miss the happy zombie, the coffee, the guavas and papayas, the Crystal beer and Santiago Rum, the cigars with honey, the art, dancing salsa...... everything and everyone!!! I can’t stop talking about Cuba and can’t wait to go back!! I hope I get to see you all soon in our next photography adventure and remember that if you are ever in DC, I would love to hear from you!!

Thanks again, Hugs, Diana

I loved the trip in large part because I love Cuba, the people, history. I had my first lessons in photography, saw a lot of art which I adored, and walked the fascinating streets. I especially enjoyed the tobacco farms we visited. These relationships which you, Pepe, and Carlos have cultivated, made these visits so much more enjoyable and meaningful. I think that could be said about the whole trip. I look forward to going back to Cuba in a couple years, hopefully to do art with Carlos in Santiago and maybe visit nearby places I have heard so much about like Baracoa. Deborah Wagner, artist

Hi Bruce and all Cuba Odyssey participants,

Just a note to let you how much I enjoyed participating in the Cuba Camera Odyssey workshop this past week. It certainly met or exceeded my expectations in every way. Your organization and execution was flawless...And with Glenn, Claudia, Pepe, Carlos and Jim to round out the group everything came off without a hitch.  Thanks and kudos to all!

The itinerary that you planned and the Cuban people that we met and were able to interact with and photograph added an extra dimension to the experience. I met many participants on the trip that I will be in contact with and others that live here in NYC that I plan on getting together with as new friends.  I have already started to look at and do some post processing on some of my images and I know I have a bunch of”keepers”. 

Keep me on your mailing list for future Camera Odyssey excursions. 

Also Muchas Gracias for giving me the opportunity to reinforce and practice my high school Spanish for a week.  All my personal best wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and happy healthy new year.

Best, Neil Lawner 

Dear Bruce, I received my photographic portrait today and really, really like it. Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to make these prints. That photographic trip will be in my memory one of my best photo journeys ever. Hopefully again I will be able to join you on some photo trip. Jeff P.

Hi Bruce,

I received your 8 x10 glossy B/W photo of me today in the mail complete with Elvis stamps as postage.  I loved both. Needless to say, I want to thank you so much for the time and effort you spent getting this done.  I will look at it always and remember the wonderful workshop that you ran in Cuba this past fall. Hopefully, I will get to travel with you again on a subsequent trip. Neil L.

That’s very sweet of you ! Thanks so much. Claudia P.

Bruce, Just received my gift photo. Thanks a lot. I like it and mostly my wife likes it, which is most important. Didn’t know your favorite camera was the Leica, but interestingly, in pre- celebration of a “special “ birthday , I have treated myself to a new Leica Q-P. I have spent the last 2 days acquainting myself with its many features and look forward to using it to expand and improve my photographic skills.

   Thanks again for the photo, Art

Hello Bruce, what a nice surprise to receive the photo, thank you a million. And really appreciate your time and effort in doing that. We photographer seldom have our own photos, isn’t that true? Catherine

The B&W photo was delivered today.  Thank you very much, what great memories. Thanks again for the photo, it will be framed and put in my office.

All the best, Gary

If you carry a camera with you almost every day - then you might be someone who'd like to travel with Camera Odysseys. If you have not yet been to Cuba but have always wanted to go - then you might be a happy Camera Odysseys client. If you like hanging out with other photography nuts like you - you might be a candidate for traveling with Camera Odysseys. All poor attempts at comedy aside, this week in Cuba with Bruce, Jim, and Glen - the Camera Odysseys team - was just a great way to explore Cuba fast and deep. Collaborating with Hasselblad, this was also a rare chance to put the X1D through a field test - a tremendous learning experience for those of us who own this very special camera.

Don't worry, be reassured, this is the way to do Cuba.

Joel Morgovsky

Cuba

When I traveled to Cuba with Bruce Byers, my goal was to discover Cuba and its people and to really get to know my new digital camera. No more AUTO settings for me! Our trip was well-organized and tremendous fun. Each day we would meet at dawn for sunrise photos and then, cameras in-hand, we would explore the city till late in the day. Bruce was a patient and generous teacher who had boundless energy, great humor and really knew his stuff.  His goal was give us an authentic experience in Cuba and to teach us to make our cameras extensions of our hands and eyes. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Kathy, an artist in Cheltenham, PA

Anyone with a curiosity for Cuba, Bruce and his local contacts allow you to really "see" Cuba, more as a local and less as a tourist - Cuba offers everything a photographer looks for and more!

Mitch Ridder 

@CaneraOdysseys photographer Bruce Byers took me to Cuba! On his exploration for upcoming trips, I had a front row seat on how he plans, where CO goes, met lovely people, went places I'd never have gone on my own, in the all too brief 4 days. (Thankfully I stayed longer and those pictures will be posted too). I took thousands of pictures with my new camera. Encouraged by Bruce to "look"and see the light, the image, move in, wait and shoot. I had an AMAZING time. Here's a few... I fell in love with the cars! I've also love architecture. The combination Inspired a book I'll self-publish for my closest friends and family. (Car buffs) I cannot wait to go back to Havana again, to hear music, dance salsa, drink run, see my new friends, smoke cigars, feel the essence of Cuba, and of course, take more pictures. If you're ready for home-stays, hot weather, and cultural experience that's truly memorable, then go. Call Bruce and tell him I sent you. Stay tuned for my second installment 😘😘😘 Janice

I had the opportunity to participate in a travel/photography to Cuba, led by Bruce Byers and team. A week long trip to Havana and Trinidad was a trip of a lifetime. Given Cuba had recently opened to travel from the US, I was impressed with the accommodations and itinerary planned for our workshop members. Bruce did his homework ahead of time by being on location ahead of the planned workshop, ensuring the itinerary would be executed flawlessly.

Bruce's photography skills are excellent- he shares his knowledge and experiences, applying various photographic techniques with the group. Throughout the trip, Bruce readily pointed out interesting places to photograph, paying attention to details, making the trip enjoyable for everyone.

My overall experience as member of the travel/photography workshop was above par. Having a guide with Bruce's skills and background makes for an excellent experience and adventure!

Regards,   Mike Baker

Bruce has amazing contacts and guides in Cuba, and you could never have this experience on your own. Plus, you don't have to be a photographer to benefit from his expertise. You just need a point and shoot, and the desire to see and capture your surroundings in a whole new way!x

Gail E Marshall Taber

Nepal

As a novice photographer going on the trip with my boyfriend, I was a bit intimidated to join Camera Odysseys Nepal trip and worried if I would be bored if I wasn’t into shooting as much the rest of the participants. In reality, seeking authentic scenes meant that we went to back streets, ancient villages and witnessed incredible ceremonies. The local guides working with photography guru and teacher Bruce Byers were wonderful - they helped us speak with farmers, visit a brick factory and thankfully advised us to stay away from street food. Bruce didn’t push me to shoot everything, but offered helpful tips and taught us how to really see our surroundings. I snapped a few amazing photos and the entire experience was invaluable. I would definitely go on another Camera Odyssey in the future. 

Jo

Our talk at B&H Photo’ event space about bringing a creative director on our trips.