Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Fun Friday - Havana Self Portrait

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/2.8, 1/350, iso 160

Might not exactly look like I was having a great time, but I was!

La Lucha

Leica M9, 90mm F2.8, f/5.7, 1/60, iso 800

As I'm sure with many exotic locations, it turns out to be the people shots that are most compelling. They tell the story.

In the case of Cuba, the story is "La Lucha" - the daily struggle. Children are oblivious, of course. But from adulthood, the failure of communism really takes its toll. I talked with many Cubans about this. I think this image tells the story well.

Wordless Wednesday - from Havana

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Topaz Tuesday - Havana Streets

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/4.8, 1/60, iso 160

I have mentioned here several times how much I enjoy street shooting. It's so dynamic. And unlike a shot of say "Half Dome in Yosemite," this particular scene will never happen again. I find the heightened awareness very stimulating.

I'm always looking for "that something extra" in a scene. In this case, it's the woman on the left. Love it.

For my B&W treatment, I used Topaz B&W Effects. I chose the Warm Tone II preset, then made some adjustments. I was thinking I should have done a GND in Lightroom before coming into PS and Topaz, along the top. Then I remembered the new edge tool in B&W effects. Dang that is great!

There is a bit more than meets the eye in this image, anyone see it?

As always, the original is on the continue link, along with a chance for you to comment on today's image.

Cuba, Land of Contrasts

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/3.4, 1/2000, iso 160

I'm back home! At least until tomorrow when I head to Cali for my day job.

Amazing trip. Number one was all the photographic opportunities. Number two was the cameraderie with my companions. Thanks again for the invite Dan! It was a special time. I especially apprecaite the chance to make new friends.

I shot about 4,500 images, and remember you don't work too quickly with a rangefinder like the M9.

As for today's image, you may or may not know that from an automobile point of view, Cuba is sort of frozen in time. American cars were shipped there until the embargo. They love the American cars from the 40's and 50's, and keep them running. It's really a trip. Shooting the cars is one of the most fun experiences there.

I'll talk more about what it is like when I post my Cuba images.

Red Hallway

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/4, 1/8th, iso 1250

I entered a few images into a competition for Leica images. This one took third place.

Palouse Afternoon Tracks

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300, F/8, 1/200, iso 160

Hot and dry August afternoon in the Palouse.

Fun Friday - Laurel & Hardy

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/5.6, 1/400, iso 160

When you visit the palouse, you are struck by how few trees there are. This is farmland afterall, I suppose the trees don't contribute much. And they have to have found their own water source, since this is dry farming.

There was a famous tree, referred to as the "lone tree" by photographers. Very photogenic, I have seen the pictures! I guess it was so popular that the farmer got annoyed with all the people parking on the road nearby. He cut it down. Bad farmer!

I saw these two trees, quite an unusual pair, wouldn't you say. I took this image thinking it might be nice, but at first it just did not do anything for me. I looked at it several times. It wasn't until I converted to B&W that it began to appeal to me.

They are just the most unlikely pair. With this treatment, the image quite appeals to me. So I'm naming them. Laurel and Hardy. Of the Palouse.

Alpenglow Rainier

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/8, 1/100, iso 320

Usually this time of year the mountain is clouded over in the afternoon. This was a very clear day and the conditions were just right for Alpenglow. So beautiful!

PODOTD - Day Nine - Last Day

PODOTD = People of Day of the Dead, San Miguel de Allende.

This image shows some interesting contrasts to others in the series. On day four, I showedd a man and wife at a very simple gravesite. Just a lump of dirt, really. But there are all varieties of monuments here. I picked this one to tend the series, mainly because I like the girl within such a forbidding amount of religious imagery. The face (Mary I presume?), and the girl's back. She'll no doubt come to this Cemetario many more times in her life.

And I hope to visit again soon. The Mexican people in San Miguel are just wonderful. Hope you enjoyed this series.