Boxing Pt.2

Here are a few more images of some other young men in training.

 

Boxing

Boxing is alive and well in Havana.
We were fortunate enough to have a guide who got us into a training session. These young men went through their regular routine of warm-up, exercise, heavy bag, and sparing.

 

 

 

 

OOPS

We were fortunate enough to get some heavy surf along the Malecon in Havana. I wanted a different point of view so I put my camera on a small table-top tripod and placed it on the ground. I would take three quick shots, pick up my camera and back away a few feet to avoid the spray. I had the wave  timing figured out (I thought).

Yes, I got wet on this one.

 

Follow Your Nose

It’s not difficult to find the bakery. The ovens baking the fresh bread every morning send the delightful aroma drifting through the streets of Trinidad. Some people show up to make their purchases and others will wait for one the bread men to load his bicycle and make a delivery.
Unfortunately, the aroma is the best part of this government bread. The crust is very hard and thick and the inside lacks any substantial texture or taste.

 

 

 

 

Adapting

Most of the pedicabs and three-wheeled cycles are of their own design. This man’s cycle has been modified so he can “peddle” with his arms.
Two flat tires and one missing leg didn’t dampen his spirit.

 

 

 

Roots

I don’t which came first, the building or the tree, but they have both been there for a long time.

I waited for something to happen and one man finally came by. I like the fact that only his foot is sharp. Both he and the tree are moving, but at much different speeds.

 

Waiting For The Bread Man

In the pre-dawn quiet of the streets of Trinidad one can hear the bread men making their rounds.
Some whistle and some call out in a melodious lilt, but they all have a distinctive sound.
The woman in the doorway has heard the call and is ready to make her purchase.

I like the mixed lighting in this image and the reflection in the puddle adds interest to the foreground.

 

100 Meters

This is a typical series of images that can be made while walking one hundred meters, on one street, in one city.
Trinidad, Cuba.

An old truck rendered with HDR processing.

A portrait.

Old folks sitting in their doorways.

Images of children at play showing off for the camera.
I can practice it all in one short walk.

Fine art

Portraiture

Photojournalism

For a versatile photographer like myself, it doesn’t get any better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomas

Tomas and his wife Regla have been together for 25 years. They live in Trinidad, Cuba, up on the hill, on  the outskirts of town. They have a five-year old daughter and a twenty year old son. I became friends
with this family three years ago. Regla speaks just enough English to work for a couple of restaurants. She greets tourists in the town squares and tries to steer them to “her” restaurants, for which she
receives a small commission. Regla can also access the restaurant’s e-mail about once a week and we are able to stay in touch. Tomas can no longer work.

Tomas is going blind.

As near as we can tell, it’s glaucoma. He has sought treatment for  some time, but there are no qualified doctors for Cuban citizens in Trinidad. After months of petitioning the government, he has been given permission to travel to Havana on 16 February to see a specialist. Cuban citizens do not enjoy the freedom to travel. They must have the proper papers.
Tomas and Regla must pay for the eight-hour round-trip bus ride,  pay for lodging, and find someone to watch their young daughter who will stay behind. I doubt that either one of them have ever been to Havana. It’s a big city and Trinidad is very small and rural. Their fears must be overwhelming, but its the only hope Tomas has.

Regla confided that they could not afford a good shirt for Tomas to wear. On our last day in Trinidad, we delivered two new shirts and some money. Tomas hugged us all so tightly that no words were necessary.

 

Tomas

Holding a photo from the previous year.

This is a digital mapping of Tomas’ eyesight.

 

 

Passing Pesos

I’m always watching for interaction between people when I’m “street shooting”. It’s a lot easier and a lot more fun to do in Cuba.

Easier because the Cubans are friendly and a lot more fun because, well, it’s Cuba.

 

Processed with Topaz Impressions and Nik Software in PS CS6.

 

Original version.