Travel Photography in Cuba using Micro Four Thirds - A photo essay

[Nicolás Raddatz]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share with you a black and white photo essay on the Guajiros, Cuban peasants who produce world-renowned cuban tobacco in the Viñales valley.

The complete photo essay can be found here: http://www.nico-foto.com/guajiros/


All pics in the photo essay were taken using Panasonic GH2 and GF1 bodies, Panasonic 14mm and Olympus 45mm. The kit was carried using a Billingham Hadley Digital, a fantastic small bag for a light/unconspicuous micro four thirds outfit.

If you are interested in seeing more Cuba photographs shot with this same kit, you can also visit my Flickr set here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolasraddatz/sets/72157632464051675/

 

[taskoni]

Very nice set! Congratulation!

 

[daveleo]

Very enjoyable series !
Thank you.

 

[raid]

Each image looks to me like a painting. This was well done.
Was the vignetting later on added by you with some software for a special effect, or was it some lens hood that caused it?

 

[helen.HH]

Wonderful Indeed...!
Went through the Set on Flickr...
Loved the first shot You posted here and the photo of the Older Man with the little Boy sitting in the Car.

 

[Peter_wrote:]

it was a pleasure and informative to look at your photographs. thanks for sharing.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Nicolas: good work! You really succeeded in capturing the spirit of the people in Pinar del Rio province. It is one of my favorite places in Cuba.

You might be interested in Susan Bank's work http://www.susansbank.com/Portfolio.cfm?nK=7482 She spent quite an extended period of time living with a few agricultural families in that province about 10 years ago. Her book "Campo Adentro" is so good that I own two copies of it.

 

[daveleo]

http://www.susansbank.com/Portfolio.cfm?nK=7482[/URL] . . . .

Yikes !
There's another thread nearby here asking if you want to know more about a photographer based on the pictures. Generally I don't, but I just blitz'd through the web link you posted, and I am in awe. I promise myself to learn more about the work of S. Bank. What beautiful pictures on that website ! !

 

[shadowfox]

Nicolas, now that deserves a hearty congratulations.
Beautiful images, narration, and style.

 

[Thardy]

I enjoyed all of the photos of Cuba on your Flickr. Nice job.

 

[raid]

There is something special about your images that draws me to them.

 

[Nicolás Raddatz]

@taskoni
Thanks!

@PKR
Thank you for commenting! I believe both cameras worked equally well for working up close with Cubans, even though in theory the GF1 is better because it looks more like a point and shoot, in fact, most of the pictures were taken with the GH2. I have now replaced the GH2 with an E-M5 which is even better, because of its damped shutter sound.

@daveleo
Thanks!

@raid
I feel honored by your comments. The pp was done using LR4 and Nik's Silver FX. The vignetting was added with those. Some people say I went over the top with it, i think it helps add a certain melancholy and drama to the pics.

@helenhill
Thanks for taking the time to view my pictures.

@Peter
Thanks for commenting back 🙂

@Bob Michaels
Thanks for commenting. I Loooooved the pictures by Susan S. Bank (felt very humble after seeing such a delicate view on the same subject), do you know if that book can be still found somewhere for sale?

@shadowfox
THANKS! Your words are very kind.

@Thardy
Thank you!

@raid
Again, I'm honored by your reaction to this portfolio. Thanks!

 

[bonatto]

beautiful set. Congratulations.

The release of the GF1 really marked a turning point in digital photography in my opinion. Coupled with the 20mm, it was simply something else.

I spent a month in Bolivia/Peru and made the following essays, all with the GF1. Could not have wished for a more convenient piece of kit.


http://nitroimagens.com.br/nitronline/2011/09/21/historias-salve-salkantay/

http://nitroimagens.com.br/nitronline/2011/09/28/historias-la-ciudad-perdida/

 

[Clint Troy]

If I may: you rely too much on programs to add a feeling (melancholy and such)... Many pic wouldn't really stand alone without post-manipulation.
Cuba is a wonderful place.

 

[robert blu]

Excellent work Nicolas! I have seem many works about Cube so full of clichés to become boring. You work is different, is alive and I can feel the positive relationship, the empathy you had with your subjects. It was worthwhile to look at. And you made a good use of wide lenses. Bravo!
robert
P.S. Thanks Bob for pointing to Susan Bank and her interesting work.

 

[Snowbuzz]

Gorgeous, brilliant work!! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Eric T]

Nicholas - outstanding!!
bonatto - wonderful!!
Thank you both for sharing!

 

[jultou]

Thanks for sharing Nicolas.
There are greats pictures on your Flick set.
I like the Trinidad and Vinales series.

 

[eric rose]

Great essay. I love Cuba! The people are so wonderful and the country so beautiful.

 

[Nicolás Raddatz]

If I may: you rely too much on programs to add a feeling (melancholy and such)... Many pic wouldn't really stand alone without post-manipulation.
Cuba is a wonderful place.

Thanks for your respectful comment. I believe what is important is the final product, not the process. You might feel different, and I absolutely respect that, but, I believe that in the current world of images, post processing is just another tool to reveal personal vision - we are ages from that era when photography was thought to be a final and absolute proof or reality, it is not. You believe many pics wouldn't really stand alone without PP, I absolutely disagree. Every picture has a feeling or motive to it, a 'theme'. Every picture was chosen for a reason.