Cuba Photos

[holdtheframe]

I recently spent a few weeks in Havana and took my M6 abroad for the first time. I'm still learning to see with it but was happy with some of the results.

Attached below are two photos from the series.

Please check out the rest at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/holdtheframe/sets/72157623600306517/

Also, a small series on boxing in Cuba can be seen at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/holdtheframe/sets/72157623724973380/

I hope you like them.

 

[fotomeow]

thanks for sharing your fotos, Cuba is on my list of visits, and I havent been able to do the travelling lately that I usually do, so I have to get my travel kicks vicariously. All good fotos, but my favorites from the first Flickr site are 2,3,11,14,16,20: they all seem to share a sense of composition, and "seeing" the fotos. Im also a sucker for old decaying imperial architecture in a country with a mixed bag, in terms of cultural heritage.

 

[holdtheframe]

Thanks for the response Gary! You chose some of my favorites as well.

The rotting, crumbling colonial architecture contrasts with a vibrant artistically rich culture. It's an incredible place. If at all possible, I highly recommend going before Fidel passes. Things are really going to change after that.

 

[fotomeow]

Ive had a bit more time to go and look at your Cuba boxing series: its quite good. I love how you've captured the simpicity of their ways, and I dont mean that disrespectfully to them. I love their thrift, given the scarcity of resources there. Making a punching bag out of a used tire? and that shot of the kid boxer in the cut-off jeans in the ring, wearing flip flops too (I think): hilarious. What we Amercans could learn from them! humility perhaps?
How did the people respond to you shooting them in general, and at the "kid chocolate" boxing arena?

 

[holdtheframe]

Thanks for perusing the rest. Even beyond boxing, I worked alongside some other artists there and what they are able to create with scarcity is incredible. The baseball championship series was going on while I was there and if anyone hit a home run or a foul ball that went beyond the fences, they stopped the game until they got the ball back. Not quite like the US.
In general people were really open if you were polite and respectful. In general I found people warm and open. At Kid Chocolate, a guard came over and asked me not to shoot, but then the players themselves were posing and calling out for me to shoot some shots, etc. so I snuck a few shots.

 

[holdtheframe]

Also, those 1950s US cars? Buick and Chevy should export them and study them to see how the Cubans keep them running. No one else is making spare parts for those cars!

 

[kitaanat]

holdtheframe, nice picture. I like the second one very much. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

anat

 

[holdtheframe]

Thank you!

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Holdtheframe, nice work!

What color film did you use: I like the color, it's natural, and your digital processing for sure helped too!

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[arseniii]

I find it very interesting both in composition and subject. Great professional work. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Vobluda]

Great shots.

 

[holdtheframe]

Thanks for checking it out everyone. I appreciate your kind words. Juan, I shot primarily Fuji Pro 400H for the color stuff. One roll was Kodak 160VC: the photos of the rocking chair, the kids playing baseball and the one shot of the abandoned nunnery with the walls in the foreground. I've always been partial to Fuji but I really liked the murky look of the Kodak in dimmer lighting like the rocking chairs or the baseball shot.

 

[MCTuomey]

wonderful, evocative work - thanks for sharing it

 

[dcsang]

There are a few in the boxing series that are frame-worthy for sure - these are some great photos.

My intent is to get back down to cuba over the next couple years - I've been before to Cayo Coco (and the small town Moron) but Havana is where I want to be/go.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[holdtheframe]

Thanks Dave. I was there for almost four weeks working but unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to go outside of Havana. I've only heard incredible things of the interior and the east like Baracoa and Santiago. It's hard to complain though as Havana in itself is incredible. Next time!

 

[sienarot]

Wow great series! Cuba is one of those places I would love to go to one of these years.

I really liked this photo. Would you consider selling an 8x10 print or perhaps a print exchange?

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

really nice images, just like digital...the same clarity...First I thought you used M8...your compsitions are striking too...which color film did you use?

 

[julio1fer]

Definitely a great series. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jorgef2002]

Cuba

Cuba

Great shots nice composition I like the one of the 2 kids boxing fantastic how can one travel to Cuba ? thank you for the info regards.



jorgef2002

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Well, then I guess it's 400H the one I liked (street with blue car shot, phones shot...)

Thanks!

Cheers,

Juan