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Chevy in Havana


notraces

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Here's another image I scanned. I did my best to remove most of the scratches the lab

left on the neg... I'll be processing my own black and white from here on out...

 

This image was taken using Tmax and pushed a stop - M6TTL/35cron ... damned

near dark when I took this image...

 

I'm looking for comments about the scanning technique and quality.

 

Thanks.

 

Bob<div>007iFR-17058484.jpg.d31ac293f9dfefbdcdabc9d5e20854e0.jpg</div>

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Cuba changed my outlook on life... I've traveled all over the world -- I've been to

some pretty remote places -- but nothing prepared me for the 2 weeks I spent in

Cuba.

 

I've never been to a place where you can feel the buzz of life around you -- Cubans

bursting at the seams to share their views of life -- to show their creative side... They

are subjagated people, for sure -- and they do most anything to express themselves

without crossing the line that may get them into trouble.

 

I'm happy to have what I have in life -- but I never really realized how truly lucky I am

until I spent just one day in Havana. I'll write more on this later -- I'm really tired --

but suffice it to say that Havana was not what I expected. I feel for the people of Cuba

-- and there were times when I was ashamed to be an American.

 

I'd go back in a second - and I'm hoping to go again next year... I'll write more later...

 

By the way -- Iove your photo -- it inspired me before I left for Cuba -- I remember

you sending it to me before...

 

Thanks....

 

Bob

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Bob - your Chevy image has great metallic tones. Something I always strive for in B&W. Cuba is on my list of must go places but unfortunately the travel restrictions for Americans is upsetting those plans. Make me envy Canadians and Europeans that can go any day of the week - I like to take a British photo workshop in Cuba but I don't think I could get the travel clearance. What is your perspective on this issue. How will you go to Cuba next time?
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Bob & Bill Thanks:) Paul check out this organization

http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/byCountry.html#2

They were great to travel with and I had a wonderfull time. I usually hate organized tours

but they let you loose if you wanted and I did to take pics:)

Cuba was maazing as Bob said primarily for the people, they have such a zest for life,

yet have so little I really felt for them. WILL go back. Mark<div>007iaZ-17066384.jpg.d5beaf5f821a9bdbf542ecd9340d08c6.jpg</div>

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I think I posted this one before... but I like it.. Mark- great shot...

 

I traveled to Cuba with some of my ornithologist friends.. we have a license which expires in August of 05 -- so, were planning on heading back in January... we actually do some pretty extensive work studying migration patterns - and habitats of endemics... Mainly because the expectation is that Embargo will be lifted sometime soon -- and the Denny's, Walmart, Holiday Inn, and Disney people will all rush in to claim stake... and what we don't want to see is habitats of endangered species disrupted in the name of commercialism -- or whatever you want to mask it as.

 

The work is vital and important. Cuba has about 45 species which can be found no where else in the world - they have the smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird - great little bird... And birding is a big tourist draw for Cuba. It's not only the potential destruction by large corporations that we're worried about -- but also the local capturing birds and selling them as pets... it's a problem. There's all sorts of pressures on the habitat WITHOUT the help of outsiders -- and that's a worry....

 

Anyway -- it's important to map out where the birds 'hang out' - so that when planning starts, consideration can be given to the flora and fauna of Cuba...

 

I'll write more later...

 

Bob<div>007ieF-17067384.jpg.eecf07653936e352d7372173405a908b.jpg</div>

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I am Canadian and my parents go to Cuba a lot but I've never been. I *heard* that the Cuban authorities stamp USA passports by placing it on a small sheet of paper. I was always under the impression that many americans visit Cuba via Canada using tricks like this but I could be talking out of my arse.

 

Anyone care to come for a holiday in balmy, southern Ontario? ;)

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Speaking of my ornithologist friends -- Julie Craves - sent me the attached photo she took with her little Nikon Coolpix 990 -- I did some very minor adjustments -- but I just love it... take a look... Julie claims she's seen the same dog laying there in the background every year she's gone! I think this year was her third year.... Enjoy -- and credit goes to Julie...

 

Bob<div>007ifg-17067884.jpg.3e0f044b5b7faa125a9c8f773b5cc99d.jpg</div>

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As an American you can always travel to Toronto or Mexico, an apply for a Cuban visa there; they will stamp it on a seperate sheet of paper as inlay to your passport. No visual evidence that you've been there. Castro loves to have Americans spending Dollars. Don't get fooled by just the romantic and expressive side of the Cubans; the reality is often grim. Ordinary housewives will sell their body for a couple of bucks in the evening, when the kids are in bed and hubby at work, just to be able to buy a pair of sneekers for their kids in the Dollar stores. Then she has to bribe the 'Revolutionary Commisioner' who lives in every fifth house and reports the whereabouts of the people under his commission to the government. Can you imagine your wife doing that? Our Western society is certainly not perfect, and our greed and consumerism is horrible. But Stalinism certainly destroys the values in a society.

 

I am a photojournalist, and I have spent more than two weeks looking for the reality in Cuba. I have left the tourist routes, and I have been followed all the time by Castro's secret service; they don't like it when they don't know where you are.

 

Nevertheless; what I learned is that people have a great ability to improvise and make the best of their lives, and Cubans certainly are cheerful people. Going to Cuba certainly makes you appreciate your everyday freedom again!

 

Cheers,

Jan Dirk<div>007j4u-17076384.jpg.55c50f1eae562ee4623e0c523e34848a.jpg</div>

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I'll post more over the weekend... Just to answer Blake's question -- I traveled with a group of birders and ornithologists. We have a license to travel to Cuba good until 05... We're all US citizens, and most had made the trip before. I think I mentioned in a previous post the focus of our work.

 

I would love to see the Embargo lifted so that those Americans wishing to travel and experience Cuba will be free to do so. It was an experience for me that I'll never forget. --- more later.

 

Bob

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