Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Waving to You

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200 F/4, f/11, .4 sec, iso 100

I don't often get the spray in my panning wave shots. I like it in this image, also the greens. Guess what? Off to Ixtapa Mexico for two weeks!

 

Cuba Series - Day Six

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/2.8, 1/125, iso 1000

I'm closing this series with one of my favorites. Most of my shooting in Havana was in the downtown/old town part where there is always a lot going on. This neighborhood is near the ballpark. Much calmer. Simple structures, one or two stories.

As the sun set and the light levels were going down, I saw this old gentleman turn on the light and then sit down in his chair. Challenging shooting here with a fixed length lens, no autofocus rangefinder. I moved back and forth some with my feet, but I didn't want to alert him, which would probably result in him getting up and shutting the door.

These kinds of images always give me the time warp feeling. This same corner probably looked the same 50 years ago, and will 50 years into the future as well.

Adios to this amigo, for now anyway. I'll do more Cuba series in the future. Hope you have enjoyed this one.

Cuba Series - Day Five - Fun Friday

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

I mentioned the pensive look I see in so many Cubans, but that today I would show the fun side! Was sitting in Plaza Vieja (old plaza) one afternoon when this group of school kids came running in. Just like kids anywhere. Amped up to be out of school for the day. It was a joy to see them so happy.

Plaza Vieja is one of the few places where you can see some building rehabilitation at work. There are a few that are completed, and a couple more underway. Trying to bring back the old glory of Havana. I hope they can succeed, so many buildings are just turning into piles of rubble.

Cuba Series - Day Four

Leica M9, 90mm F/2.8, f/2.8, 1/125, iso 160

Reviewing my Cuba images, I'm struck with just how many people look pensive, some times forlorn. La Lucha. It can be a hard life there. But it is normal for kids, and they are not yet burdened (much) with La Lucha.

But I love the feel and mood of this one. What is our young amigo thinking?

Be sure and come back tomorrow for a really Fun Friday, Cuban style.

Cuba Series - Day Three (Wordless Wednesday)

On Wordless Wenesday, you tell the story...

Cuba Series - Day Two (Topaz Tuesday)

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/3.4, 1/600, iso 320

For a Valentine's Day, this image isn't too romantic is it? Or perhaps it is. Given this car is from the 1950's, and knowing the Cubans, there has no doubt been a lot of romance taking place right there.

But I digress. Happy Valentine's to all the sweet people out there. And to you Topaz Labs people and Topaz users.

I felt this shot, as a subject, was great. But in color it was underwhelming. A good candidate for black and white, and Topaz Black & White Effects is the easiest way to select from many possible treatments.

What I was looking for was more emphasis on the car, particularly the windshield with its enormous crack. The background is nicely out of focus (thank you Leica) but due to the tones in the original it is all blending together.

My starting point was the preset Warm Tone II. But it didn't have enough "edge" for me. So into the dialogs/sliders area. Three small adjustments dialed in the image - reducing Protect Shadows, increasing Adaptive Exposure, and a touch of Detail Boost.

Compare for yourself because as always the original shot is on the Continue Link below.

Cuba Series - Day One

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/5.7, 1/180, iso 160

In response to yesterday's post, my good friend John Barclay commented "where are the Cuba pictures?" Not wanting to dissappoint, today let's begin a Cuba series, shall we?

I'm beginning with one of my favorites. I like the girl, like her look. And her set in this bold and lovely hue of blue really does it for me. This is a SOOC shot, believe it or not. Bars on doors and windows are a recurring theme in many of my Cuba pics, I have found.

Boatin Sunday - Sailing Seattle

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/8, 1/640, iso 250

Was down at the harbor yesterday, just in time to catch this nice scene. Life would be good on a beautiful sailboat like that, just taking in the Seattle skyline. Don't you think?

I Remember Macros

Canon 5D Mark II, 180mm Macro F/3.5, f/3.5, 1/250, iso 800

One of my friend John Barclay's favorite (photographic) expressions is "yummy light." Yesterday as the sun was coming up I noticed just that outside my office door. I took a little stroll in the yard and saw several possibilities for macro shooting. It's been months since I brought out the trusty macro lens.

I had a very enjoyable few minutes playing before my real work day started. I remember macros!

Fun Friday - The Last Thing I Remember

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/5.7, 1/15, iso 1600

"Dan the Man" (the reason we went to Cuba, it was his birthday) is such a friendly guy that while we were out shooting he made friends with a guy who is a Cuban champion in MMA and Boxing. So of course he invites us to his dojo to see and photograph one of his classes.

When I took this shot and looked at it on the LCD, it immediately said to me "the last thing I remember." Because if he connects with that right hand, I'm out. Gone. Finito.

Mi Amigo here is not the actual champion guy, it's his friend. But equally bad. Click on the continue link if you want more Fun Friday.