Martin Newland, QPSA  

Street in Havana by Martin Newland, QPSA

July 2024 - Street in Havana

July 2024 - Martin Newland, QPSA

Original

July 2024 - Martin Newland, QPSA

Original 2

July 2024 - Martin Newland, QPSA

Original 3

About the Image(s)

Another pre Covid photo taken during our trip to Cuba.
I was crouched in the middle of the road, preparing to take a photo of the old blue and white Chevrolet parked on the side of the street, and I was not fully aware of the lady in red walking towards me from behind the car.
I clicked away, assuming that she would walk around me (such is the arrogance of the paparazzi to make such an assumption!) as she approached. But she kept walking towards me without deviating until I had to scurry out of her way at the last moment.
A friend told me he thought it would be a good competition photo. So I have done quite a bit of post production on it. The girl had walked into the shadow by the time I took my last frame and so I have spent time lifting the brightness and detail of her to match the rest of the image. One of the benefits of taking RAW images!

Camera: Canon 5D Mark iii, 1/500 sec, f/9.0, ISO 250.
Lens: Canon EF 24 - 105mm, f4L IS USM at 32mm

This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted

Terri Adcock
I have a few from Cuba that are similar to this so I can relate to your image ) I might be tempted to remove the car and bike that appear behind her and between her arm and body. I might also cheat and change her red top to match the blue of the car ;)
  Posted: 07/02/2024 05:33:08
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Hi Terri,
Thanks for your suggestions. I have used this image for awhile as a competition image and in the FIAP competitions that I enter, the rules state:- "Techniques that add, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted."

I agree with you that "tidying up" the image might make it a neater image photographically, but if it is to remain a "competition" image then it must stay as it is.
  Posted: 07/02/2024 06:42:33
Shirley Pohlman   Shirley Pohlman
There is so much to look at in this image--the old buildings, the car, the young woman. Just a good spot to catch all of them separately if they would move. The complementary colors of car and red shirt make the perfect choice for this being street photography. If you had a chance to go back again (or maybe you have some other shots without the car), I would also like to see the simple street scene Love everything about this location and the story it tells.   Posted: 07/03/2024 20:42:51
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
I took many thousands of photos on this trip; most of the street photos feature the old American cars.
I would like to go back and take more photos, but it is a long way from here to the Americas.   Posted: 07/04/2024 01:44:03
Comment Image
Shirley Pohlman   Shirley Pohlman
Another great shot that tells a story. Wonder what happened to the shell of the center building. Don't see any remnants of fire.   Posted: 07/04/2024 20:11:07
Tor Nenzen   Tor Nenzen
Hi Martin, not to take anything away from your main photo, but I sure like the second one that you posted. It says a lot to me about life in that location. All of the people are doing their own thing. I like the ladies hanging the laundry. The old man is perfectly framed in the truck. It's got depth from its strong lines. The cab is perfect location and its shadow adds to the picture. This is a picture that one can spend time with.   Posted: 07/04/2024 16:43:45
Karen Botvin   Karen Botvin
Before even reading your caption to this image, I knew it was from Cuba, and I've never been there. Something about and the old American cars and bright colors that seem to draw folk to photograph there. Your persistence in getting this shot has certainly paid off right down to the smallest of details. I love the glare in her glasses and her bright red top against the bright blue car. Great photo! I agree with Tor on your second image as well. One could just wonder around the street and the buildings. You certainly have a knack for street photography!   Posted: 07/05/2024 19:43:54
Jim Wulpi   Jim Wulpi
Very nice "street image", Martin.
The first thing that came to mind when viewing this image was the brightness of the womans red top, her bright blue shorts, the (slightly less bright) blue of the car............. contrasted to the rest of the image - which has pastel colors throughout.
Very good timing as well as the anticipation of this activity.
Like other have referenced, the partially in-view motorcycle is a distraction, but I understand your reason for keeping it in.
Well done.   Posted: 07/08/2024 00:26:14