Fidel Castro’s tomb, meant to resemble a kernel of corn, becomes an instant attraction

Cuban honor guards goose-stepping at the tomb holding the remains of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in the Cementerio Santa Ifigenia on December 4, 2016 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Sunday marked the last of a nine-day mourning period after Castro died November 25 at the age of 90. Photo by Al Diaz / Miami Herald

BY MIMI WHITEFIELD

mwhitefield@miamiherald.com

SANTIAGO DE CUBA 

Visitors have been lining up all week to get a look at the tomb, which consists of a single boulder with a small opening covered by a metal plaque that says simply “Fidel.”

Fidel Castro's tomb has become an instant attraction in this city, the island’s second largest, drawing Cubans and curious foreigners alike.

Following the private funeral of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Sunday, people began lining up outside the closed gates of Santa Ifigenia Cemetery despite having to walk about a mile from perimeter blockades that had closed off surrounding roads during the short early morning service. They were rewarded when guards opened the gates late Sunday afternoon and they were allowed to file past. A number of them dropped single roses or sprays of flowers at the foot of the austere granite tomb.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article119459378.html

A mourner places a flower at the foot of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro's tomb in the Cementerio Santa Ifigenia on December 4, 2016 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Photo by Al Diaz / Miami Herald

The ashes of Fidel Castro's pass outside the Moncada Barracks, in Santiago de Cuba on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Photo by Al Diaz / Miami Herald.

The military vehicle carrying the ashes of Fidel Castro is push started by the Cuban honor guard as it passes the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. Photo by Al Diaz / Miami Herald

Cuban Americans celebrate as they pour out onto the street along Calle Ocho in front of Versailles Restaurant after hearing the death of Fidel Castro in Miami. Photo by Al Diaz / Miami Herald

Think Tank Photo Holiday Specials 2016!

Our friends at Think Tank Photo have announced two holiday special offers on their award-winning camera bags.  The first is their Outlet Center, which is chock full of huge discounts.  

And second, through December 31^st whenever you buy a Think Tank rolling camera bag you will receive Road Warrior Kit for free.  The Road Warrior Kit features 10 Red Whips cable ties, a Cable Management 10 pouch, an AA Battery Holder and a Travel Pouch. That’s $54.50 worth of accessories FREE!  And don’t forget, with our special relationship with Think Tank you will also receive a free gift when you use my special URL, as well as free shipping.  So get shopping!

CLICK HERE FOR HOLIDAY SPECIALS

Caution, Season Opener for NBA's Hassan Whiteside & Miami Heat

Looking forward to tonight's season opener for the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena. For the Miami Herald's Season Preview 2016-17 I photographed the Heat's Hassan Whiteside. Throwing Caution to the wind. Now that Dwyane Wade has joined the Chicago Bulls and Chris Bosh's NBA future is in limbo, the Heat must rely on Hassan Whiteside to lead an untested roster. 

I created this image using a Canon EOS 1D-X and a Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM Zoom Lens, ISO 100, Shutter 200 at Aperature 7.1 The magic in all this is my Think Tank Photo Production Manager 40 carrying a multi-set of Dynalites and a B1 Profoto Head and beauty dish.

Photo by Al Diaz / Miami Herald

Photo of Al Diaz by David Santiago / Miami Herald

SONY SQUARE NYC PRESENTS BRIAN SMITH ‘HEADS & TALES’

Sony Square NYC Presents: Brian Smith ‘Heads & Tales’

Location: 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10AM – 7PM
Sunday 11AM – 6PM
Closed on major holidays
212-833-8800

Portrait photography is a window to the soul. Regardless of whether the subject is famous, infamous or un-famous and no matter if it was shot in a studio or on location, a successful portrait reveals insight into the personality of a person in front of the lens.

This exhibit features the work by Sony Artisan and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Brian Smith. During his career he has told Bill Gates what to do for an entire hour, appeared on The X Factor, exhibited at the Library of Congress, dined with the President, written an Amazon Best Seller, shared cupcakes with Anne Hathaway, gotten drunk with George Clooney and married the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes on… For the past 30 years, Brian Smith’s iconic portraits of Hollywood’s A-List and Fortune’s 50 have graced the covers and pages of hundreds of magazines including Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Time, People, Forbes, Billboard, Elle and GQ.

All photographs were taken with Sony cameras and lenses.

Sony Square NYC

Sony Square NYC is a showplace for the latest in Sony entertainment and technology. Located in the company’s New York City headquarters at 25 Madison Avenue, the facility offers visitors the chance to check out select new Sony technologies and products, some of which are still in the prototype stage. Additionally, the intimate space will be used for events, such as photography classes with world-renowned photographers, exclusive movie screenings, and invitation-only performances by Sony Music artists.

While the primary goal of Sony Square NYC is to allow visitors to engage with the brand, approximately 200 of Sony’s most popular products will be available for purchase. They may not all be on display, however if visitors ask for assistance, an employee can arrange for them to make a purchase. In addition, if a visitor wants to purchase something that is not in stock, employees can arrange for that product to be purchased and shipped.

Visit the Sony Square NYC website for more information about products on display and upcoming events and connect with them on Twitter and Instagram: @SonySquareNYC

Huge Thanks to Sony Artisan Tony Gale for these photos!

LEICA LOUNGE with C.W. Griffin & Carl Juste Thursday September 1st 2016.

Leica Lounge with C.W. Griffin & Carl Juste Tomorrow! September 1st   |   7:00 - 8:30 PM   |   RSVP   Join us in the Leica Lounge tomorrow, September 1st with Miami Herald photographers C.W. Griffin and Carl Juste. Carl will be interviewing C.W. about his images and career as a photojournalist. To learn more about C.W., Carl and the Leica Lounge, click here. As always, Leica Lounge is kindly sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery. Bring a friend and try out a selection of Brooklyn's latest brews. Reflections by Peter McGrath Customer Gallery Reception   |   Saturday, September 10th, 6 - 7 PM Join us on Saturday, September 10th to celebrate our new customer gallery artist, Peter McGrath. Peter's series, Reflections, uses layers to reveal depth in everyday scenes. Each image tells a visual story, which unfolds gradually as the viewer studies the elements of the photograph. To RSVP, email info@leicastoremiami.com.

THINK TANK PHOTO: Video Rig Roller & Transport Bags

Available Now! Video Rig Roller & Transport Bags Designed for “Run & Gun” Assignments and Larger Video Productions Are you a videographer seeking transport solutions that are lightweight, have greater capacity, more features and easy to use? Think Tank has 4 rolling video bags designed for your travel and on-location needs. In addition to lighter weight and more features than traditional hard cases, the Video Rig Rollers enable you to hit the ground running by leaving your camera rigs fully assembled between shoots. No longer will you need to build a complicated video rig on location while time (and money) slips away. VIDEO RIG 18 Transport a fully assembled video rig with viewfinder and matte box installed plus accessories VIDEO RIG 24 Transport a fully assembled video rig with monitor and matte box installed plus larger accessories For traveling videographers, the Video Transport Rollers allow you to carry on the maximum amount of gear on the plane with you. The Video Transport 18 is designed to meet International carry on requirements while the Video Transport 20 meets U.S. Domestic requirements. Always check with your airline as requirements may vary. VIDEO TRANSPORT 18 Transport a camera body with 3 – 5 lenses (detached) VIDEO TRANSPORT 20 Transport a camera body with 4 – 6 lenses (detached) The roller bags hold Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F55 or F56, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini cameras. Gear could include a shotgun mic, small monitor, 4K recorder, audio recorder, additional accessories, and up to a 17” laptop in a padded sleeve.

Feel Great Buying From Think Tank Photo They stand by the products with the best Warranty, Return Policy and Customer Support Team in the business. You also always get free ground shipping (U.S. Domestic). Orders are also shipped same business day in most cases when you place your order before 11:30 AM PST. Questions? Comments? Email them directly at customerservice@thinktankphoto.com, chat or give them a call U.S. Toll Free at 866-558-4465 ext 1, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM PST Monday through Friday. Please let them know affiliate Al Diaz sent you and you'll receive a free gift.

NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY: PHOTOJOURNALISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY

PULITZER PANEL

Panel Discussion  |  Reception & Program  |  Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photojournalists

WHEN   |  Thursday, July 21, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT)

WHERE  |  HistoryMiami Museum 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

Explore the state and future of news photography in a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalists Alan Diaz, Patrick Farrell, and Deanne Fitzmaurice . This panel celebrates 100 years of the Pulitzer Prizes. Moderated by Maggie Steber with introduction by Al Diaz Miami Herald. Presented by HistoryMiami Museum, Miami Herald, and Leica Store Miami with the support of The Brooklyn Brewery and Photo Workshops Miami. Reception at 6 PM and conversation at 7 PM.

Get your tickets today!

Alan Diaz was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography in 2001 for his photograph of armed U.S. federal agents seizing the Cuban boy Elián González from his relatives’ Miami home. Since then he has covered every major breaking news and sporting events in Florida. Based in Miami, he has photographed for the Associated Press for 16 years.

Patrick Farrell received a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography in 2009 for his images of despair after Hurricane Ike and other lethal storms caused a humanitarian disaster in Haiti. He was part of the Miami Herald staff that won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for the coverage of Hurricane Andrew’s devastation in South Florida. He has been a staff photographer with the Miami Herald since 1987.

Deanne Fitzmaurice won a Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 2005 for her photo essay for the San Francisco Chronicle on an Oakland, California hospital’s efforts to mend an Iraqi boy nearly killed by an explosion. Based in San Francisco, she is an assignment photographer for publications including National Geographic, Sports Illustrated and ESPN. She is a Nikon Ambassador and co-founder of Think Tank Photo.

Maggie Steber is an educator and photographer who has worked in over 64 countries on humanitarian, cultural and social stories. As assistant managing editor of photography for the Miami Herald, she oversaw projects that won the newspaper a Pulitzer Prize and two Pulitzer finalist recognitions. She served on the Pulitzer Prize nominating jury for photography in 2015.