Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Fun Friday - At the Ballet

Leica M9, 90mm F/2.8, f/4, 1/4th, iso 2500

One of the many unique experiences we had in Cuba was going to a ballet rehearsal. This was not common and we had to talk (bribe) our way in. Once we did get in we were frustrated that they wouldn't turn on the spotlights for us. It was just dim.

And we were behind an orchestra pit. This was made for cameras with great high ISO capability, and a long fast telephoto. Neither of which I had. So mostly I just watched the dancers, which was entertaining.

Then a few times we had some light. Not enough for me to stop a dancer in mid air though. So I resorted to my trick of trying to make something artful. Make something out of a circumstance not well suited for my camera kit at that moment.

I rather like it! BTW, this is nearly a SOOC shot, just a bit of curves.

Moody Monday - Havana Times

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/4.8, 1/30, iso 160

This image for me is "classic Havana." I really enjoyed capturing the people in the streets (except when they then came up asking for money"). I just love this guy with his shoe store. Zappos de Havana!

The women walking by are not classic Havana though. There are a relatively few number of native Carribbean types you see as you walk around - most people being of Spanish and other European descent. I would say I caught a couple of the original Cubans in this frame. 

Colorful Music

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/4, 1/30, iso 150

Many of my memories of Cuba are about the people. The people are very colorful, and I believe more than anything else they love their music. You should see them dance!

This senor was part of a 5 or 6 piece band we enjoyed listening to, one very special late morning in Trinidad. A very good time of friendship, music and even some photography!

Empty

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/8, 1/125, iso 160

Havana is a city of 2.5 million residents. It is said that every single day, nine more buildings decay past the point of being rebuilt. Walking through the city, you see these buildings everywhere. This one has already crumbled. Leaving an empty space between the other buildings.

Wordless Wednesday

 

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Topaz Tuesday - Chess Match

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/4.8, 1/90, iso 640

A lot of my Cuba memories are small vignettes, like this one. Usually just a couple of people. I only saw one chess match though, and I'm glad I captured it. As I have said before, I enjoy trying out images of people with Topaz Adjust.

This scene is enjoyable, but lacked the gritty feel of Trinidad. Hence why I tried Adjust with it. And it delivered. This time I didn't go with a preset, I just began using the sliders, starting with Adaptive Exposure, to get the look I had in my head. I also used local adjustments in a couple of spots (burn).

Compared to the SOOC image, which you can see on the Continue Link below, the feel of this version is more like Havana itself - a little humid, a bit more run down.

Statue de Havana

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/5.7, 1/90, iso 500

Havana has a lot of statues. Fidel, Che, quite a list. I didn't catch this Senor's name. He's a handsome one, no? Looks very resolute. I'm not so sure that he would appreciate that the city is crumbling around this tribute to him. Havana is a study in contrasts, to be sure.

Topaz Tuesday - Havana B&W

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/8, 1/350, iso 320

As I look through my Havana pictures, a scene like this is fairly unusual. The street is both in great shape and devoid of debris. This car is also in excellent condition (some of the cars have had a rough life).

I like the scene in color, but felt it would be even better in black and white. I played around with a few presets in Topaz B&W Effects, settling on Warm Tone II Smooth. I learned about a handy slider called Protect Highlights watching a John Barclay webinar. That helped with the bright reflections on the car.

I love this rich and timeless look that B&W Effects achieved here. As always, you can see the original on the Continue link below.

Wordless Wednesday

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Topaz Tuesday - Cuban Painter

Leica M9, 25mm Zeiss F/2.8, f/2.8, 1/60, iso 1000

While walking through the small town of Trinidad, I met this painter. Many artists there have a "front room" of their home where they paint and sell their art. The door is open to the street.

This guy intrigued me because he didn't look Cuban at all. In talking with him he was quite wordly too. In fact, just to my left, was his Parisian girlfriend! He had been to France, met this girl, and convinced her to come back here with him. When I started talking with her in Spanish, I realized she knew less than me. My French is limited to a couple of phrases. She didn't speak English. Fortunately she knew some German so that is how we communicated. She had been in Cuba two months. Said she didn't miss France that much.

I have heard of falling in love in Paris, but not returning to Cuba! This pair was definitely some of the more interesting people I met there.

When I looked at this image, the subject matter is great, and I like my framing. But it was a bit "blah" considering how vibrant I recall the scene. So into Topaz Adjust 5. Although there are many new presets compared to version 4, I went back to my old standby, Spicify. I then reduced the saturation a touch, increased Adapative Exposure, then a hit of brightness. Just what I was looking for.

Take a look on the Continue link below for the original version. And feel free to comment if you wish. The comment code on my blog is about to shut down and go home.