Trip to Cuba fuels graphic artist Ann Eddington’s interest in photography

For years, Ann Eddington has been a graphic artist, doing mainly print projects for corporate clients (the last three years out of a studio in her Menlo Park home). She also makes fused glass jewelry in her garage. So, it’s clear that Ann has the creativity gene.

But, it was an online software class that first prompted her to sign up for an educational trip to Cuba lead by Foothill College photographer department chair Ron Herman and the purchase of her first serious camera, a Canon T2i. The photos she took on the trip are part of an exhibit, Cuban at Heart, on display at the KCI Galley at Foothill through January 16.

“I loved to travel and have been to a lot of places,” she said.  “Cuba hit me as being this time machine from 1961. I thought it would be important to catch it before it changed.

“Our trip was a government-sponsored trip that focused on art. It was very structured. We went to visit artists and took photo walks around Havana. We were doing something from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day for two weeks, so it was pretty intense.”

Ann took over 3,200 photos on the trip. “I’ve spent 30 years framing other people’s photographs,” she said. “I used that experience to crop every photo before I took it. I kept thinking if I got one good shot I’ve be happy. That I ended up with many more than that is rewarding.”

What struck Ann most while in Cuba was the people’s unaffected faces. “So much of the world has become a single global culture,” she said. “Countries sitting outside that monolith are especially prized places to be experienced.”

Photo of Ann Eddington by Irene Searles

“The Basket Seller” by Ann Eddington used with permission