CUBA BABY: Havana Day Four Portrait Workshop, Ladies Dancing Salsa

Day Four In Cuba,  

Photography Workshop - Portraits

Today we studied light, working to master it with casual portraits.

Alan's turn to pose...

Then took a short stroll in Old Havana

The Woven Straw Hat Vendor with his mobile rack...

Piggy-backed onto a professional shoot in Poet's Alley, 

young model poses for video and still cameramen.

Not sure what the product was they were trying to illustrate, her, makeup or the dress.

She didn't move so don't think it was a music video.

Nearby an older model dressed in a traditional Cabana Nightclub outfit 

waits for a tourist to pay for a photo of her and her two friends.

Another portrait captured without the subject knowing it.

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Saturday evening we went to a social event for the older generation in Havana's New National Theater. 

The space can only accommodate 80-100 persons so reservations were necessary. 

Our Doctor friend knew the manager. He got us in on short notice.

When we arrived late at 5:30, the ladies had already warmed up the floor dancing since 4 pm. 

The majority of the people there were widows, some couples. In the States we would call this a senior citizen's dance, not in Cuba. Here it is an exclusive dance party requiring reservations.

Some of the ladies were quite spirited with their salsa dance moves. 

And they knew all the words to all the great songs they grew up with.

As the beat goes on, more and more people joined in on the dancing.

Using a cane for walking was no excuse for not getting out on the dance floor.

The ladies were cutting loose, really enjoying themselves.

It was not alcohol loosening them up, it was the beat of the music that awakens their memories.

As different singers got on the stage to entertain, the party grew even more lively.

Since there is a regular shortage of gentlemen partners to dance with, 

the savvy manager brings in professional dancers to keep the ladies moving and happy.

Don't have a partner, no worry! Dance by yourself among the tables.

Everyone else is doing it!

This B&W photo does not do justice to the lady in the lemon yellow dress, so...

...this is Alan's shot. That's better!

A striking beauty.

Even younger singers could keep the beat going. 

A total of seven or eight different singers entertained this group.

Another performer had a dancer join her on the stage as they rocked the beat.

While people danced, I did my dance, capturing images.

Alan grabbed this shot as the lady in white showed me her moves.

A unique Cuban art form of entertainment is poetry. Like a battle of the bands, but is a Battle of the Poets. Each in turn making a very emotional, dramatic recitation of their poem. In Cuba's history, many poems became song lyrics and vice versa.

By eight PM the lights were turned up, the crowd reluctant to end so early, slowly dispersed.

This Saturday night event will repeat itself once again in seven days. 

Entry fee is the equivalent of one US Dollar.

We felt honored as foreigners to be allowed to experience this local entertainment.

Outside the theater Che and Camillo, two 1959 revolution martyrs, preside over the empty Plaza...

As we leave the Theater, we notice a younger crowd entering 

for an art show on the lower level.

The music and arts scene in Havana is alive and thriving.

Back at the apartment,  exhausted Alan and I relax with cigars and a Cuba Libre.

Marianna took this shot.

And our Cuban adventure continues... 

The Havana tourist sites we thought we would visit and photograph 

are quickly fading from definite plans to maybe if there's time. 

So many doors have been opened for us, there are not enough hours in the day for routine touristy stuff.

Tomorrow, last day of the photo workshop, 

then Monday, an outing with the sidecar Club.

(Many thanks to Alan for sharing some of his color photos here.)

CUBA BABY: Havana Day Three - Street Photography Workshop

More sidecar photos and activities will be happening on Monday when we ride out to the countryside,

 but for now Friday, it is the Street Photogaphy workshop. Four attendees, Hogar from Berlin, Michele, a Frenchman from Washington, DC, Alan from Houston and myself.  Thorston Von Oovergard, a Danish professional photographer is the group leader.

What follows below are a few of the Cuban images I captured while strolling around the Vedado neighborhood of Havana. Vedado is a modest upscale neighborhood near the US Embassy. Like everywhere in Cuba, there is little class distinction or separation economically.

We'll start with the only color photo of the day. 

Sunrise, start of another warm tropical day. 

As the sun rises higher in the sky, the importance of cool shade increases dramatically.

Temperature hit 92 F this day.

Was surprised this gentleman agreed to be photographed. 

He had the aura of a bodyguard or security official.  Nothing sinister, but looks like he could handle any situation. He is the only person I met in Cuba that had that vibe.

American cars are not the only relics still on the road. 

I can imagine finding parts there for this British sports car is a serious challenge.

Amazing how they keep these old Detroit rods looking sharp and running.

Enough of the cars, let's see the faces of Cuba...

a Marxist book seller finds a a shady spot to lay out his wares on abandoned steps. 

Conversing with friends, this lady found a spot of cool shade.

Busy watching her chickens peck the hard ground, 

she was making sure they did not wander off. 

Gotta keep an eye on her source of eggs.

And she was watching her husband the carpenter repair a wooden door. 

He was the only person who wanted to talk politics with me. 

Changed the subject... fast.

This sweet grandmother gifted Alan the best cigar of his trip.

A friendly neighbor who asked why we would want to photograph a

 "boring, nothing happens here" street, those were her words.

And this was the only person who asked us to photograph her children.

A beautiful school teacher relaxing outside her classroom.

Cuban has the highest literacy rate of any Latin America country. There are small schools everywhere, from pre-K to University Preparatory. Cuban medical doctor are respected for being better trained, thus are in demand everywhere. The number quoted is, "Cuban has ten thousand doctors contracted out to hospitals around the world".  That generates a large portion of Cuba's foreign currency income.

Stopping at a coffee shop, Jose was our waiter. 

He agreed to poise for a photo. What a smile!

These two gentlemen relaxing in the shade, asked if we wanted to buy cigars. 

Those were good smooth smoking US$1 cigars we bought from that plumber.

The Jazz Music School students set up a free concert outdoors for the benefit of the neighborhood. 

Our good fortune was to be walking down that street at the right hour. Their proud professor invited us into the courtyard to take photos.

Have no idea what this couple's discussion was about, but it shows in her eyes.

Glad I was able to capture the moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

That is what street photography is all about. 

Being attune to what is going on around you. Look for the play of light and shadows, 

people's expressions and actions. Nothing is staged, cannot plan a shot. Just be ready, be aware, make sure your camera is turned on, walk slowly, be looking 360.

To close out the day's images, I offer you this unforgettable 

"Moon Over Havana" shot!

About half of today's images were shot without the person knowing they were being photographed. My camera does not have a telephoto lens, so I have to be up close to capture a sharp face. To do that, have learned from pros how to set the camera, shoot from the hip, with arms crossed, from behind, etc.  It pays off to practice and learn from the best.

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Tomorrow's workshop, we focus on capturing casual portraits, more shots from the streets.

Our Doctor contact wrangled us a special invitation to a small live performance of Cuban singing, dancing, poetry tomorrow night. Will be a low-light situations with lots of movement, 

a challenge to capture with a camera.

Thanks for following along,

Stay tuned.

CUBA BABY: Day Two - URAL Club of Cuba

This Thursday morning we will meet some of the Ural Club of Cuba members for a morning photo op 

then a sidecar tour of the city.

Up early, Alan sets up his camera for the day.

Our Airbnb is on the 17th floor with great views of the cityscape and the ocean.

Looking across the Vedado neighborhood,

 toward the US Embassy in Havana.

The Catholic Church across from our building was never open while we were there.

Asking about it, was told Fidel rounded up the Priests, put them on a ship 

and sent them back to Spain back in the 1960's. 

Found only one Catholic church open. It was being run by a few Nuns from the convent next door. So different from the experience in Mexico just a month earlier.

Osmany, the Ural Club President showed up with a second rig to take us 

to meet other club members for the photo op.

All of the Ural rigs here are 650cc, kickstart, old Russian military rigs that were given to the Cuban Army, then sold for scrap when the military could not keep them running. The club members cooperate with each other to keep their rigs running. Parts are an issue, so improvised solutions is the norm. When I asked what I could bring from the US for the members, they asked for headlamps and tail light bulbs. Ordered enough Hi-Lo LED bulbs off E-Bay for every club member to get one. And two dozen bulbs for tail lights and turn signals. 

Since there was still room in the suitcase, scoured through the shop's tool chests for every duplicate tool, socket or wrench I had.  Hauled them all down to Havana for the club to use.

Motorcycle helmets are mandatory in Cuba, 

not sure how much protection these local made bucket lids provide though.

Kick starting the Russian iron...

We saw many sidecar rigs in Cuba, not just Urals. 

Most are two stroke 250cc rigs from Soviet satellite countries.

We reach the gathering spot where other rigs are patiently 

waiting near the malecon (waterfront) and the National Hotel.

Smart group, they waited in the shade of the palm trees.

We quickly gather in front of the landmark Hotel Nacional for a group photo before we were shooed away.

This hotel was a popular pre-revolution night spot with the mafia 

as portrayed in the Godfather movies. 

From there we paraded around town, finally reaching a spot where we took the "Greeting" photo above,

with the old Spanish Morro Castle from 1585 in the background.

By noon, most of the members had to get back to work. 

They dropped us off at the ornate National Theater building where we could find lunch.

Before dropping us off, we were invited to join the club for a pre-planned country outing on Monday. They felt comfortable enough with us to invite us to a club social / ride event. They organized to provide plenty of food while we agreed to bring the cold beer. 

With Monday's plans set, we said our "hasta luegos".

After lunch, Alan, Marianna and I visited a Cigar factory showroom, where we could purchase and enjoy one of Cuba's finest. No, not the premium cigar of US$100 each, but the ten for $80 pack. 

We bought the 10 pack to enjoy during the rest of our stay in Cuba. 

Bringing Cuban cigars into the US is prohibited, 

as is Cuban Rum. Do so at your own risk.

Driving around, seeing the sights, we spotted a young 15 year old posing for photos for her quinceañera party.  Not to miss the opportunity to photograph a beautiful your lass, I jumped out of the car to grab this.

A quiceañera is when a young girl reaches the age of 15, her family celebrates her new womanhood. A coming of age party/tradition popular in Latin America, Caribbean, Spain and many US cities too.

Then we met a school teacher drawing water from a well in the middle of the city for his family.

The sun is bright, shadows are harsh in the middle of a hot day.

Temperature in the nineties.

On a shaded plaza bench, a young couple are spooning and cooing. 

Discreet photography called for here.

A shared sweet dessert won him a smile and admiring looks from his lady friend.

This is the dry season now, no rains until later in April or May.

The mid-day sun is intense, umbrellas are a common sight.

Hmmm... which American automobile had this hood ornament? 

There are many, many old American cars still on the road in Cuba today. More on that later.

That evening Osmany returned to take us on a night tour of the city.

He has a URAL Servicar. Have only seen photos from the URAL factory of these.

His special rig has several modifications to keep it running and functionable. 

Note a steering wheel now replaces the handlebars. Also the transmission shifter is a lever,

 not the Ural floor pedal. 

Everywhere we went the traffic was light due to a fuel shortage.

This service station was closed as they had nothing to sell today.

A common sight in Havana. Maybe tomorrow they will get a shipment. 

The station employees work for the government so they receive their wages for showing up,

even if there is no fuel to pump.

The National Hotel is well lit at night.

Young couples enjoy the cool breezes along the malecon (waterfront). 

Being a week night, not many are here. But the weekends are a different story.

We wandered around looking for that special photo op, where light and shadows come into play. 

Never once our entire time in Havana did we ever feel threatened, in danger or think maybe we were in the wrong neighborhood.

That wraps up our first exhausting non-stop events day in Havana. 

Tomorrow starts the photo workshop on street photography.