Cuba Street Photography

Cold days, long walks.

2010-10-01T19:02:00.001-07:00

My last frames with my Zenit 12. Afterward it began to scratch the film and the shutter started to get stuck, especially on crucial shots. It was time to get my Nikon S2 to CLA (clean, lube and adjust) and start using it as my main camera for street work. It's quiet, compact and unnoticeable, making it a delightful camera for street photography. Back to my old soviet tank, I was using Fujifilm Press 400 at that time, a pretty decent film for general purposes. I started to grow fond of fast film, always versatile and ideal for street. Too bad I still was very noticeable (and noisy) with my Zenit SLR; every time I took it out was like a beacon. Candid photography was almost impossible that way. With a rangefinder is a whole different deal, you'll believe me when you use one. ;)

Walking around with some friends at the Old Havana I came across with this painter. He always works on the street, probably increasing his selling chances with tourists. He does really nice ink drawings. I approach him and ask if I could take him a picture, he agreed! I have to give him a print and almost a year and a half now I'm felling like a cheap bastard because I haven't got the chance to do it.

It was a nice cold and cloudy day, I remember we had a nice time hanging around.

Checking out the day’s pics. It's good to have pictures of oneself for a change, even if they are digital. :P

A week later I had to meet with a new friend from Australia. On my way to our rendezvous point I manage to take a nice shot of this old man on the bus I was.

That day, a Sunday I remember, I was showing around the city to a new friend, Pei. We walk across this guy. He was seated outside a recycle center in the end of the Avenida del Puerto, having a drink and enjoying the sun (it was a cold day). I was talking to Pei when I notice him, and told her that he would make a wonderful street portrait.

He neither pose or pretend, he just looked at the other way and let me do the job. Love when that happens.

Then, a few steps later, these two guys almost demanded that I took them a photo. Funny how street photography works, sometimes people loves to have their photo taken by complete strangers.

Crossing the street I rushed to get a quick shot of a passing diesel train. The machinist was kind enough to slow down and ask me if I manage to took the shot.

Still walking with Pei later that day, a kid came running towards us when he saw my Zenit. Just about two meters from us, he stood and gave me an OK sign. Spontaneous as only kids could be!

That day we walked a LOT, from the Capitolio de la Habana to the Colon Necropolis, and then back; a really long walk! I have to credit Pei and me, we didn't got tired from the long walk.

Pei was very impressed by the whole Colon Necropolis in general, specially with the inscription carved on the Cespedes Mausoleum's brass gate. I showed her the place the best I could, but I'm pretty sure we miss some good spots. Anyways, it was the longest time I have been in a cemetery with someone.

I know it’s blurry, and had some bad processing marks; but it only makes the feeling of remembrance of that day much stronger. I really enjoy been there in her company, showing her the city. I hope we can hang out another time.

Days later I continue my constant city roaming. I was on a bus stop when I noticed two kids fixing their bike. This scene remembers me when I used to help fix our family's bikes with my step dad when I was a kid. During the 90s, due the Special Period and the lack of public transport, the government sold and gave Chinese bikes to almost every working person in this country. In my house at that time we had three bikes, and it was my step dad's responsibility to keep all three in good shape. I remember I used to help him almost every Saturday morning.

Good times indeed.

Pointing a big ass Russian SLR to people in a crowded bus in the middle of the day is asking for trouble, especially here in Cuba. But I manage to pull two shots with my Zenith and get away unharmed. Mere luck? Being stealthy enough? Act like the camera broke and you are checking it? Well, all of these and more can be helpful.

The bus where this photo was taken (P4) is the one I normally take when I'm of to photograph on weekends. Its itinerary goes through many busies and crowded parts of the city; and while travelling through the metropolis's main veins, it picks up many different kinds of people. The rough majority of us Cubans depend on the public transportation system, so we live and die everyday in routes like this one. Students, workers, house wives, unemployed, kids... at least once a day they take buses. Thanks God public transportation got slightly better with the arrival of new articulated buses from China and Russia, because before it was a plain nightmare to get home or work, or wherever you needed to go.

That day (a Saturday I guess) I was of to Old Havana to do some shooting. I was seated on the back part of the bus, looking through the window. I was preparing to get off, and suddenly there she was, with that face that I can't really decide if its expression was of sorrow, worry, disdain, or just plain disgust. I seated again (missing my stop), and took out the camera hoping she didn't change her expression. She didn't. I press the shutter, make the photo, put the camera away, and still she had the same expression sculpted on her face. We got down on the same stop. I hope that she's doing fine, wherever she is now.

I really don't know if the photographer's name is Rolando, but you can read that in one side of his camera is written Rolando! This was my final attempt to photograph him with a film camera. He is usually with his vintage box camera in front of the Capitolio de la Habana, taking photos for tourists. You can find him there anytime, and have your vintage photo taken for only 2 bucks. Or maybe 3, you never know with the financial crisis these days. ;)

Maybe I'll give him a copy of this photo as a present... yeah, why not?

When I was little, I use to play at the same place as this kids are playing. My mom and dad use to take me here on the late afternoons. They used to seat on the Cafe at the front, and let me play in this same square. I loved that place, and still do. Seeing those kids playing make me remember the good times I spend there, playing with my dad. But right now most of those memories are blurry and hazy.

This is the place where I end almost every one of my photo walks.

I sit down, usually at this spot, to wait for the bus to take me home. I stretch my back, take a drink of water, and enjoy the view. Usually it's late in the afternoon, so almost everyone is at home. Only tourist and souvenir sellers are on the street.

The day I took this photo was a remarkable cold afternoon.

I remember clearly now, this was my last frame.

Camera: Zenit 12
Lens: HELIOS-44M-4 (f2.0/58mm)
Film: Fujifilm Press 400
Negative Scans, slight post processing using Adobe Lightroom.

Taken on first quarter 2009.

Posted via email from Habana Street Roamer

First 36 chances.

2010-08-03T08:20:00.001-07:00

The digital picture pretends to display raw reality. The analog picture is a visualization of human memory.
SETH SCHIESEL

It's funny, but the first time I loaded a fully manual camera with film I got this unique mix of excitement, uncertainty, eagerness and curiosity. You know that many things could go wrong, and everything can go to hell in a moment, and there is not a second chance. Also, you can't check your results right away, and this could be a killer for this new generation of digital photographers. Yes, nowadays analogue photography is a complete different deal. The few people I know shooting film these days do it for diverse reasons, but they all have one thing in common: They know how to wait. They are extremely patience fellows, they can wait, even for hours, to get the shot they intended to. Because they only have 36 chances, they know how to be patience and anticipate the shot; and when they finally press the shutter, they know everything went as they plan it. They don't feel the urge to preview the photo taken seconds before. They know and understand light better than the rest of the "digital-only" photographers. Some of then even estimate exposure as accurate as the best light meter! And if they screw a frame, they learn from that mistake to luckily never repeat it in the future.

I remember reading on a dpreview's forum an interesting thread posted by an experience photographer. He said that he would accept a new photographer in his crew only if he/she went on a long assignment with him and shoot the whole event with only 3 rolls of film. He didn't care if the assignment could span trough the whole day. He only wanted to work with a person who knew how to understand and capture the events evolving in front of his/her eyes. A real photographer, not just another "picture-taker" who knows how to operate a camera. Very interesting point of view if you ask me.

This is not the typical "film versus digital" rant you can find everywhere on the Web. I do enjoy digital photography, and I'm extremely happy with it. I'm just talking about some facts I realized since I started using film for my street work after almost a year and a half. When I brought a digital camera with me, I didn't care about timing or closely observing the scenes in front of me. I just snap as much I could, and later I choose the best shots and deleted the rest. I didn't stop to think why I had screwed a shot, or what would have made my photographs better. I just blamed the camera or the circumstances, sometimes even luck. But when I decided to go analogue it was a complete different game. I only had 36 chances, so I knew I had to observe more closely and carefully my subjects, because I couldn't just shoot shoot shoot and later delete the ones I didn't like. I had to learn to anticipate the shot, to appreciate and understand how a scene developed in front of me, and understand that I had to wait for the right moment, because I only had 36 chances. I didn't have any freaking historygram, not even a light meter, so I had to learn how light behaved. I didn't had auto anything, not even Aperture Priority; so I learned to have my camera always ready, with the estimated exposure settings, even prefocused, so I wouldn't miss another moment fiddling with the controls. Going analogue with a manual camera taught me many things, and yet I'm just a mere student learning from nearly hundred of the fucked ups frames I have. I’m still making mistakes because I got lazy and didn't have my camera ready at a crucial moment.

Back to the day I first loaded my old Zenit 12 with a roll of Fujifilm Superia, the first thing that comes to my mind was the film's smell. Together with the camera's leathery smell, it made a delicious combination I still can remember. I double checked everything was working well, and I leaved home with a state of excitement. I remember I got off the bus on Reina Street, and started walking. Everything called my attention, a normal thing when you are starting photography, specially street photography. I snap a few shots on my way, and headed to Old Havana. Almost at the end of Reina, I spotted her waiting for someone, alongside three crates of beer. A thing was for sure, later it was gonna be a hell of a party!

I continue walking, and after a few minutes I was on a side of the Havana Capitol. From that place I could see a nice view of our China Town's entrance gate.

I loved this urban scene. Every time I pass this place I have to stop for a minute and take a mental photograph. Good luck for me this time I had a camera with me. Too bad that time I only had a 58mm prime lens, a 28 would have been a more adequate choice.

Heading to the Old Havana, I came across this man seated on one of the park's benches. He wasn't a homeless for sure, but more of a “professional” drunk if you ask me. Like I said several times before, I don't photograph homeless or beggars; but with drunks I make an exception from time to time. Plus the guy's sleeping pose struck me to my very core. I nail down and took this photo, and later came close to him to make sure he was OK.

That same day I didn't get any more interesting shots, so I came back next day with a different route in mind. I got off by the Havana's Train Station with the intention of walking through the bay area. At a side of the station I spotted some kids. Perhaps they were plotting their next prank, but whatever they were planning it clearly involved the bus at their back.

Now at the Alameda de Padua, with the harbor's deserted docks at my right, I got off the walkway and head to the docks. I saw a kid playing with an old gas mask. I ask him if I could take him a photo. He looked both ways and calls his friends: "Hey guys, there is a tourist who wants to take us a picture!”. Three more kids appeared from the most unimaginable places, and they all got together and posed for the photo. After I pressed the shutter, one of them approached me and ask: "Can I see how the picture came out?". I smiled and told explained him that my camera wasn't digital and you can’t see the results right away. "What is film?" he asked me with a puzzled face. I briefly explained him about the developing and printing process while he looked at me with a skeptical face. Now I remember that a very talented photographer was asked the very same question by a kid. This new generation would never know the magic of analogue photography. Oh well.....

I sat down on the docks to enjoying the sun (extremely weird in me), and to observe people there.

I can't remember if there was a kid with him.

Looks like it wasn't a very good day to go fishing.

I head back to Neptuno Street to take a taxi back home. I remember I was starting to regret walking under the sun for so long. I came across an old parking guard praising a woman about his same age. He told his buddy: "She usually pass at this time of the day since I started working here years ago, and I always say something nice to her."

I love this kind of tiny stories you witness every time you walk the streets. These small magical moments are what make it all worth it. I returned home eager to develop the film to see if the shots I took came out all right. Back from the lab days later with my scanned film I was happy to find out I got some nice frames. Something I’ll always treasure as a memento from my first "analogue" walk.

Camera: Zenit 12
Lens: HELIOS 44M-4
Film: Fuji Superia 100
Negative Scans.
Digital post-processing: Some frames turned to grayscale, plus adjustment on the tone curve, blacks, exposition and contrast.

Posted via email from Habana Street Roamer

Streets, Strolls, and Expired Film

2010-07-15T13:32:00.001-07:00

On that particular day I purchased a batch of expired film. It was only a buck a roll, and because I didn't had any experienced shooting expired film I went for it and bought four. Fujifilm Superia 800 film, pretty grainy but I don't mind as long as it's analogue grain. ;) Anyways, I was gonna scan it and turn it into grayscale later, something I usually do because of the scarce availability of bw film here in Cuba.

So, I loaded my Nikon S2 with my "new" expired film and hit the street. I had to meet some friends at the Old Havana so I had a pretty big walk ahead of me, ideal to get some street shots.

After getting off the bus I started walking by Dragones Street, Centro Habana. Pretty much one of the most centric city areas, it's filled with crowded corners, old buildings and narrow streets; a perfect combination for the street photographer.

Take this for example, walking by Zanja street, I found these guys going headfirst in the hood of an Russian SIL truck, trying to solve what keep it from starting up. And I honestly hoped they figured out fast what's wrong with that it, because sun was awful on that particular afternoon. I don't need to say neither of the three are mechanics, but anyways they manage to get the freaking thing going. SIL trucks are very common here in Cuba. Soviet made and coming from the 70s and 80s, mostly all are way passed beyond their service life. Mechanics have to perform magic to keep these old boys running. If they don't have the spare parts or can import it, the made then, or made adaptations from other parts. Yep, we Cubans are famous for performing that kind of "magic". Like the old say goes: "Necessity is the mother of all inventions".

Near China Town's Boulevard, I manage to get a quick shot of the hostesses waiting for hungry costumers to lure them in their tiny yet beautiful restaurants. Havana Chinatown's boulevard is a place I have always like, since I was a kid... Small, but lovely and cozy; with small and delicious restaurants, gifts shops and even the occasional fortune teller. When you walk through it at dawn, you can see all the small lights lighten up, the restaurant's hostess calling you in front of their business and showing you the place's specialties, tourist taking photos, locals wondering around...

Like I said, I love this place, too bad I get some bad looks from the people who work there when they find out I'm just photographing, uninterested in eating at their places.

This is another kind of subject found in Centro Habana's streets: The old guy that sells weird stuff. In this case, plastic spoons... Funny thing was he was selling not the package, but each individual spoon. When you have lived here for a while, you won't be surprised by these surreal scenes.

The street in this photo, Galleano Street, is filled with them and other merchants selling pirated music and movies CDs and DVDs, belts, clothing, plumbing stuff, sunglasses, hair accessories... That's OK, but who en earth would buy plastic spoons?! That same week a friend of mine told me that in his work there is a weirdo that everyday takes home the disposable cups!

I usually don't photograph homeless people. Not that I find it offensive, but it's becoming a cliché in street photography, and many photographers exploit the homeless person's condition selfishly. I took this one because I liked the perspective, and because of the contrast between the homeless red t-shirt and red bank on the foreground against the two guys’ blue shirts and blue bank on the background.

San Rafael's boulevard... one of the most crowded places of the city. Stores, cafes, theaters, markets, places to eat, boutiques... all piled up and filled with people. Being one of the busiest places in Havana City, it's paradise for the street photographers. But beware! While photographing there, I was confronted two times with people walking by, out of the blue and with no reason at all. One time a guy even put their whole hand over the lens of my camera, and I wasn't even looking at his direction. I ask him: -"Man, what the hell are you doing?!"- (with the long hard stare that goes with those words), and he replied to me laughing: -"Oh, nothing at all! I just thought it would be funny!"-. The situations you encounter on these streets, I even had to laugh at him...

That's why I knew I had to hide from the old man in the photo while taking his shot. If he or his buddy even realizes I was pointing the camera at their direction... well, you can't reason with a couple of drunken old guys at 1 o'clock, plus the awful heat of the day would made things even worst. So I had to do a side shot, and hope for the best... I didn't had time to focus, so I had to estimate, and because I was at f11 I knew I had plenty of depth of field to spare (maybe a little too much :P).

Then I saw that he was eating peanuts while smoking his cigar...

And at San Rafael Boulevard, one of busies places in Havana City. This is another recurrent character of our street: the religious beggars. Cuba is mainly a catholic country, being Saint Lazarus (San Lazaro) one of the most common figures here, with is represented by an old man filled with blisters and wounds with dogs surrounding him. I'm not sure but I think there’s a parable in the New Testament about that guy. Anyways here it’s a worshiped saint, and homeless and beggars use their figures while asking for money. And to tell you the truth, they usually get a few coins, if not bills, because of our religious superstitions. Hell! I have even drop a peso from time to time!

Btw, I know I screw up with the under exposure on this one.

Finally at the rendezvous point, I was so "undercover" that my friends pass right besides me and didn't notice I was there, waiting for them.

Later that week I went with some other friends to see a theater play. I'm not very fond of theater, but I guess I can enjoy an occasional play. We got lost for a moment trying to get there, walking the endless web of colonial streets that the Old Havana is.

Thanks God and all other deities, we finally arrived on time. The play was worth the walk. "Teatro Espontaneo", or in English "Spontaneous Theater" were called these group of performers that instantly improvise a play, based on the requests of people in the public. It was a very gratifying experience.

Back home that night, tired for a week of crushing heat and tireless walks through the streets of Havana, I was felling pretty much satisfied. I could photograph like crazy, and still I got 3 rolls left. I remember that I slept like a newborn that night.

Camera: Nikon S2
Lens: Nikkor f1.4/50mm
Film: Fuji Superia 800(expired)
Negative Scans.
Digital post-processing: Turned to grayscale, plus adjustment on the tone curve, blacks, exposition and contrast.

Posted via email from Habana Street Roamer

R.E.M Days....

2010-06-21T08:15:00.001-07:00

A small photographic work I did during the R.E.M (Reunión de Estudios Militares, Military Study Reunion), which took place from May 14th to 21st of this present year. Unfortunatly, I wasn't allowed to take photos during my time there. The photos were taken with my cellphone's camera, which did a decent work for its category, but it was a frustrating experience in the ned. Now I'm considering a compact for this kind of situations, being the Canon G11 and the Ricoh GDR III my favourite choices (specially the Ricoh).

Mandatory military service is still active here in Cuba, ranging from one to two years for all males between 17 to 30 years old. After completing their time, licensed soldiers are enlisted on the army reserve where they remain until the age of 45. From time to time, the military reactivates a part of the reserve to keep their combat training up to an acceptable level. This kind of reactivation is called R.E.M. R.E.Ms are military mobilizations for all the reservists active in the FAR (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces), in which they are given standard military training for weeks, and sometimes even months.

I did my year in the army back in 2001, and now I got called to my first R.E.M. What is particular about this REM was that, after completing the instruction time, the participants got demobilized from the reserve and transferred to the MTT (Territorial Troops Militia). And there I was, surrounded by doctors, architects, professional drunks, engineers, personal trainers, park lot guards, doormen, store clerks, and school dropouts. A pretty nifty ragtag platoon if you ask me. We even had a 5 language translator there with us! When homeland calls, everyone is summoned. This kind of political move is called "La guerra de todo el pueblo", stating that in case of aggression, Cuba will be defended not only by its army, but by all of his people. This is an effective political tactic to prevent any military incursion to our little island.

Instructions included basic tactics and strategies, weapons, explosives, wms protection, field first aid techniques, and the boring but necessary political classes. We received instruction from a former Special Forces Mayor, from explosives to weapon training. He was in his fifties, but still in very good physical condition. He was a nice and cheerful officer, although his behaved extremely professional and serious on the shooting range. This behavior is totally understandable; because the battalion's safety was his responsibility. Even the smallest distraction or negligence could cost lives there.

One of the seasoned and more experiences reservist show the rest of the platoon the aiming basics of the AKM (AK-47) infantry rifle.

An experienced reservist explains how to handle and aim the rifle to his fellow soldiers, plus gives some tips to deal with the AK47's powerful kickback. "I have seen countless bruised shoulders because inexperience riflemen don’t know who to properly handle this baby" he commented me.

After being instructed on how to handle his rifle, a soldier tries the size, weight and handle of an AKM(AK47) infantry rifle. At first many were intimidated by the AK's look, size and weight, but after the basic weapon training, some of them were developing some kind of weird attraction to it.

While it can be tiresome, boring, and somewhat stupid, triangulation exercises can give you a lot of interesting feedback about your aiming skills and general eyesight condition.

For the record, these men weren’t shooting their rifles.

Well, as any regular campaign exercise, you eat your chow on your mess kit. Being part of your standard issue equipment, you have it with you all the time. You eat on it, and you have to clean it after you finished. The bad part was that we had to do it with our own drinking water. The food wasn't as bad as I remember, but still was military food. No surprises there.

As usual in the Cuban army, there were some periods of total inactivity. The best ways to kill time was to take a nap, chat, text, exchange ring tones, joke around, smoke...whatever you could do to make the time go faster.

Posted via web from Habana Street Roamer

By the Havana Capitolio's stairs

2009-12-14T14:15:00.001-08:00

Como lugar para sentarse, pasar el rato y deleitarse con la fauna urbana que suele frecuentarlo, no tiene precio. En sus escaleras tire mis primeras fotos con la Zenit de mi padre. En sus escaleras me siento a ver que situación fuera de lo común puedo capturar, y puedo ver como nuestra ciudad se relaciona, en su manera única, con los turistas.

Ventas de monedas acuñadas con el rostro del Che, fotos antiguas, paseos en carruajes, proposiciones indecentes, fotógrafos con cámaras de cajón antiquísimas ofertando sus servicios a 2 cucs la foto, y un sin fin de niños jugando. Viejas vendiendo cucuruchos de maní, mientras otras mendigan. Caricaturistas "al momento", listos para dibujar a cualquier turista incauto, y lo suficientemente impertinentes para conseguir un cuc por el anodino dibujo. Abundan también timadores profesionales; disfrazados del Che algunos, vendiendo tabacos baratos a precios de habanos originales. Muchos turistas armados de SLRs digitales o compactas baratas sacándose instantáneas. Todos juntos sentados en las escaleras del Capitolio, totalmente informales, morenos del sol y con esperanzas de una aventura inminente. Unos cuantos puristas fotografiando el lugar con Nikons, Yashicas, Leicas o Canons analógicas. Retratándose y retratando carruajes, autos clásicos, y a los ciudadanos que pasan demasiado ocupados en sus problemas para darse cuenta. Demasiado ocupados y atormentados para importarles que las fotos donde aparecen vayan a parar a una mundana cuenta de Flick o Facebook, solo para el goce y disfrute de los familiares y amigos del visitante del 1er mundo.
Todos están presentes, todos están aquí.
Así que, si estas cerca, date una vuelta por las escaleras del Capitolio. Siéntate un rato para que puedas apreciar como se desarrollan frente a tus ojos estas y muchas mas historias. Si es verano lleva protector solar; si eres un turista lleva tu cámara y varios billetes de a uno. Al final siempre vale la pena.

As a place to sit down, hang out and enjoy its habitual urban fauna, is a priceless location. On its stairs I took my first photos with my dad's Zenit. On its stairs I sit down and wait for any situation out of the ordinary to happen. From this privilege position I can see how, in its very unique way, our city relates with the tourists.

People selling antique photographs and coins with the Che's face coined on one of its sides, carriage rides, indecent proposals; all of this while kids plays tirelessly. Vintage photographers armed with antique box cameras, charging 2 bucks a photo. Old ladies selling peanuts, while others beg for money. Caricaturists drawing 10 portraits per minute of unaware tourists, and later charging them a buck for each one. Professional cheaters abound, some dressed up as historical or cultural figures, selling low quality cigars at original Cuban's price. Lots of tourist taking pictures, armed with big ass dSLRs or consumer compacts. Seated together on the Capitolio's stairs informally dressed, sun tanned and longing for an imminent adventure. A few purists shooting analog Nikons, Yashicas, Leicas, Canons... Photographing themselves, carriages, classic cars, and the city habitants while they pass by too focused on their own problems to realize they have been snapped. Too busy to care that these photos probably would end up in some generic Facebook or Flirck account.

Everyone is present, everyone is here.

So, if you are close enough, come take a spin by the Capitolio's stairs. Sit down for a while so you can see how these unique histories unravels in front of your eyes. On summer bring a sun blocker, you'll need it. If you are a tourist, take your camera and a few one CUC bills. In the end it will be worth it.

Posted via email from Habana Street Roamer

Train Restoration in Old Havana / Restauración de Trenes en la Habana Vieja

2009-05-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Tomadas en el estacionamiento frente a la Estación de Trenes de la Habana Vieja. Aquí hay "parqueadas" varias locomotoras de vapor que están siendo reparadas para ser enviadas posteriormente al museo Ferroviario de la Habana.

Entrar costo unas palabras con el cuidador de lugar y un billete de 10 pesos. No porque me lo hubiera pedido, sino simplemente por buena voluntad. Dentro había un grupo de mecánicos encargados de la restauración de las locomotoras. Nos presentamos, y no hubo problema en que tomáramos algunas fotos.

Recuerdo un mecánico que estaba descansando. No quería que le sacara fotos, pues no quería salir como un vago con el resto de sus compañeros trabajando a sus espaldas. :D

Estas fueron las primeras fotos que tome con mi (restaurada) Nikon S2. La calidad del lente Nikkor de 50mm/f1.4 es fenomenal! Lastima que la maquina donde fue procesado el rollo tuviera un severo faltante de químicos, y los rodillos sucios. :(

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Taken on a parking lot in front of the Old Havana Train Station. Here are been repaired several steam locomotives, to be sent later to the Havana Railroad Museum.

Getting in the parking lot cost us a few words with the place's guard, plus 10 bucks. Not because he demand it, but simply as an act of good will. Inside the place was a team of mechanics in charge of the restoration of the locomotives. We introduce ourselves and they let us take a few shots.

I remember one of the mechanics was resting, and he didn't want me to photograph him because he didn't want to be on the photo like a complete slacker, with the rest of his crew working at his back.

These were my first photos taken with my (restored) Nikon S2. The quality of the Nikkor 50mm/f1.4 lens is beyond belief. Too bad the processing machine were the film was developed had a sever lack of chems, plus dirty rods.

Wanna see more / Deseas ver mas ?

2009-01-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

Want to see more? / ¿Deseas ver mas?

More views of December 2008 - Más vistas de Diciembre 2008

2009-01-16T21:01:00.001-08:00

Want to see more? / ¿Deseas ver mas?

Diciembre-December 2008

2009-01-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

Tomadas caminando el Casco Historico en la Habana Vieja, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba en diciembre del 2008.

Taken at the surroundings of the colonial part of the Old Havana, Cuba on December 2008

Want to see more? / ¿Deseas ver mas?

2009-01-08T06:18:00.000-08:00

Taken on board the visiting Russian destroyer and submarine hunter "Admiral Chabanenko", docked on the Havana Harbour on December 19, 2008.

Wanna see more?