A striking photograph titled 'The Light of Santiago de Cuba' has been selected as the featured image for Havana Times' Photo of the Day series on January 11, 2026. The image, captured by David Leeming from the United Kingdom, demonstrates how mobile phone cameras can produce compelling artistic work. Leeming used a Motorola Edge smartphone to document the atmospheric lighting and vibrant street life characteristic of Cuba's second-largest city. The photograph showcases the unique quality of Santiago de Cuba's natural illumination, which has drawn artists and photographers for generations. This daily feature highlights the accessibility of modern photography tools in capturing meaningful cultural moments.
Havana Times operates this Photo of the Day series as an inclusive platform for photographers worldwide, regardless of professional experience or equipment quality. The publication encourages submissions from cities as diverse as Beijing, São Paulo, Costa Rica, and New York, emphasizing that geographic location does not limit creative vision. The series celebrates images that evoke emotion, preserve memories, or demonstrate serious photographic intention, whether they depict animals, architecture, people, or abstract concepts. By featuring work from both seasoned photographers and everyday observers, the project reinforces the idea that everyone contains an inner photographer waiting to be expressed. This democratic approach to curation builds a global community of visual storytellers.
Santiago de Cuba holds particular significance as a photographic subject due to its distinctive blend of colonial architecture, Afro-Caribbean culture, and revolutionary history. The city's eastern location creates unique lighting conditions that photographers have long sought to capture, especially during golden hour when buildings glow with warm intensity. Unlike more frequently photographed Havana, Santiago offers raw authenticity and fewer tourist-saturated vistas, allowing for genuine cultural documentation. Leeming's photograph taps into this visual heritage while utilizing contemporary mobile technology. The image serves as a reminder that compelling photography depends more on vision and timing than expensive equipment.
The use of a Motorola Edge smartphone for this featured image underscores how mobile photography has democratized the art form, removing barriers to entry that once existed. Modern smartphone cameras contain sophisticated sensors and computational photography capabilities that rival traditional cameras in many situations. This technological shift allows spontaneous documentation of fleeting moments that might be missed when carrying bulky equipment. For travelers and locals alike, phone cameras enable authentic representation of daily life without the intimidation factor professional gear can create. The result is a more diverse and honest visual record of global culture.
Daily photo features like Havana Times' series play an increasingly important role in contemporary media by providing regular doses of visual inspiration and cultural education. These recurring showcases build audience anticipation while creating archives of global perspectives often missing from mainstream outlets. They offer emerging photographers valuable exposure and validation, potentially launching creative careers. For publications, such features generate consistent engagement and community participation. The series also preserves digital documentation of changing urban landscapes and cultural practices for future generations.
Photographers interested in participating can submit their work to the provided email address with specific required information including the photo title, photographer's name and city, camera or phone type used, and the location where the image was captured. Submission guidelines emphasize accessibility, welcoming everything from professional DSLR work to smartphone snapshots. The publication maintains an archive of previous days' photos, creating a searchable visual database. This open call for submissions ensures the series remains fresh and representative of diverse global experiences. By lowering participation barriers, Havana Times continues to foster a worldwide community of photographers sharing their unique perspectives.
