D200 goes to Cuba

[cabophoto]

In February and March I spent a couple of weeks in Cuba, shooting with

two D200 bodies and mainly the 20/2.8 AF-D Nikkor and the Sigma HSM

30/1.4.

 

I finally managed to upload some of the pictures to my website. You

can view them at http://www.cabophoto.com/CU6.htm

 

I'd love to hear what you think about the pictures. For reasons of

forum policy (and because I don't want this thread to be deleted)

please refrain from political statements about the country.

 

Carsten

[ShunCheung]

Carsten, first of all, nice pictures. I don't see why your thread will be deleted; at least I have not seen any reason yet.

 

If people introduce politics, international conflicts, religion or other off-topic controversal issues into the discussion/debate, those posts will be deleted. We might even consider locking people out from the thread. But that should not affect the overall thread.

[dan_brown4]

I enjoyed your pictures. But it's a real shame becasue Cuba could be so much more :-(

[hique]

Its nice to see that the 20mm is worth keeping with a DSLR.

 

I reallly enjoy cuba and it's people. They have a good powerful pride and cultural identity.

[EricM]

great again man. i've always enjoyed your travel shots, first hooked on your Leica work.

[akochanowski]

Carsten, got your email, pretty impressive with the 20/2.8. Some of these have a real bite to them.

[yoni_perlmutter]

Wonderful, evocative photos.

[EricM]

i use the 20 most as well on 1.5 nikon dslrs, love it over the 35 mm look on 35mm but becareful with the flare, the green gobs of flare...

[Jim_Tardio]

Nice work, Carsten...love that 20. I just returned from London & Amsterdam and pretty much used my 20/2.8 and my 35/2, and my 105/2.5 a bit (fantastic on the D200).

<p>

Anyway, I love your style. I've got to make it to Cuba, but it's difficult from the USA.

<p>

Just curious...are you using the built-in flash or a seperate unit?

[cabophoto]

Jim,

 

most of the time I use an off-camera (with an extension cord) SB-800 with a little softbox in my left hand. Just for fun, an easier way is depicted here: http://www.juergenspecht.com/truestories/?number=1&storypage=2

 

In rare cases I use the built-in flash for some fill.

 

Carsten

[EricM]

Carsten, have you tried remote/wireless with a bit of nd or diffusion gel taped over the pop flash so it doesn't influence the image too much?

[cabophoto]

Eric,

 

yes, I have tried wireless flash control with the SB-800 and it works fine. I still use the extension cord because I think it's more reliable, especially when I have to change the flash to my right side (which is very cumbersome anyway).

 

Carsten

[EricM]

thanks Carsten. yes, me too, I mostly use the cord as well as one can spend a coffee break going through the menu's switching to commander.

[lahuasteca]

Carsten,

 

I really enjoyed the pictures - my favorite is the one in which Quinceañera is riding to the

event in what appears to be a red '55 Chevy.

 

You answered my post below about the Nikon 20 mm, but your images graphicaly show

how good the Nikon 20 mm is for ethnographic photography. I'll be headed to Chiapas,

Mexico and this lens now is a "must-have" for my new D70s.

 

Your images are very sharp with good color contrast. They capture "la cultura Cubana." I

also liked Valle de Viñales and the one taken with the Sigma of La Quinceañera in her pink

dress.

 

Thanks.

 

Gene

[cabophoto]

Gene,

 

thanks for the kind words ! I fell in love with the 20 on a trip to Mexico where I used it on my D70 (see http://www.cabophoto.com/MEX.htm for examples).

 

Carsten

[richard_liu2]

Beautiful pictures, Beautiful place, Unique people

[patriciomurphy]

Amazing pictures. Machete, the man without an arm and the man with the "machete" is outstanding. Mogote is just perfect. Great shots. I like the way you approach people...

[vivek iyer]

Carsten, Thanks for posting. To my eyes, the image quality appears to be better than the D70 ones. I also seem to notice that the current series has more "color appeal" (for the lack of a better description) than your Leica images. Quite different.

[patricks]

carsten, you are certainly one of the most consistent and accomplished photographer around on this forum. great colors and perspectives - as usual!

 

cheers mate!

 

p.

[sprouty]

Nice, love the contrast and color. Funny but the images just don't feel that wide (a compliment)!

[robert_oneal]

i just found these images. they're wonderful. with 18 trips under my belt, i'm obviously obsessed with cuba. my only detraction would be, at the very least, with the first shot. the contrast is far from believable, very cool, but not possible in-camera.

hey y'all, i'll see you in c.u.ba!