Old Facade, Havana, a photo from La Habana, West

Photographer's Note

Havana has some amazing colonial architecture some of which is crumbling with neglect, and some being loveingly restored. UNESCO declared the historic centre (Habana Vieja) 'a cultural heritage of humanity' in 1982. Wandering the streets is a real pleasure although it can be extremely hot in the summer.
The image shows the facade of some houses (probably apartments). I liked the fading colours and interesting balconies and you have to imagine the rich colours that they once were.

tyro, dta, bayno, carlosmarin, InasiaJones, Budapestman, patdeph, adores, worldcitizen, RhodieIke, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

leo61 (0) 2012-01-10 6:06

Hi Ann!
Could be too in Yangon.
Good see one person here and I like the contrast between these huge doors and the pale blue facade.
Regards,.Leo

Sergiom (39078) 2012-01-10 6:16

Bonjour Ann,

Il en tombe plusieurs par année de ces buildings à La Havane. Mais ils font aussi partie de son charme. Je pense que cet homme prend des chances sur cette galerie qui semble rongée par le sel. On sent la texture et l'usure.

Amicalement

Serge

tyro (13009) 2012-01-10 7:09

Hello Ann,

I only needed to glance at the thumbnail of this picture and look no further to know exactly who had posted it!

As you say, it is wonderful to try to imagine how gay (in the real sense of the word) and bright these buildings must once have been but now that they have suffered the wear and tear of many years, I suppose, from a photographic point of view at least, the shabbier the better!

As is often the case, your pictures of places such as this have a wonderful regular, symmetrical and almost graphic composition and again commonly, as in this case, that regularity is perfectly interrupted by the presence of a human figure in prime position in the frame.

Wonderful pastel shades, perfect lighting and exposure amd exquisite detail and sharpness. The red towel hanging on the lower railings and the fellow in the red shirt just left of centre are most important anchor points in the composition. Not sure what that fellow's up to though: either preparing a barbecue or rocking a pram, not sure.

Fabulous!

Kindest Regards and Best Wishes for your impending Yellowstone trip! (Give Yogi and Boo-boo my best wishes too! - Ooops, sorry, that's Jellystone!)

John.

dta (51280) 2012-01-10 7:19

Hello Ann ,
Despite of (or because) the lach of maintain , these old buildings have alot of charm . But may be that the comfort is not very good in these apartments . The framing is excellent , and the presence of the man on the balcony is a real good point .
Regards

lousat (57510) 2012-01-10 7:26

Hi Ann,beautiful geometric composition from La Habana vieja,i will be there in February and this is very interesting to me!Very impressive capture whit the best light,sharpness and colors,i like it! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

bayno (16131) 2012-01-10 7:50

Hi Ann, this is the pictures that I love, I like the look of this decó facade, definitely full of history and life, beautiful tones and framing, the human presence enriches the composition, wonderful shot, warm regards, Valter

tugala (217) 2012-01-10 8:39

a beautiful photo. I love this kind of work

carlosmarin (11948) 2012-01-10 9:13

Hello Ann,
I know Havana and its colonial architecture, the great work of restoration, they have done in Old Havana, and how much remains to be done.
This facade damaged, you've captured, has great charm, good framing, composition, and colors that remaining the past.
Good job.
Regards, Carlos

InasiaJones (29314) 2012-01-10 11:06

Hello Ann,

Habana the way we like it.

Interesting approach to shoot the repetition of doors, while breaking the pattern with this subject that stands out without stealing the show.

The light is good, as it brings good contrasts and vivid colours.

I would be worried to stand on these balconies, unless I would wear harness... :-p)

Cheers!

André

prasun984 (5590) 2012-01-10 11:51

Hi Ann,
wonderful architecture shot you have captured from the street...like the textured decayed wall around the doors with nice multicolored tones...the man at the corridor add a fine touch for this image...
very good nice light management with nice color tones & sharpness...

Prasun

holmertz (26854) 2012-01-10 12:11

Hello Ann,
I would definitely not like to live in any of these apartments, but watching their balconies and façades from the street is fascinating. The peeled paint and weather-bitten wood have acquired quite lovely colours and there is an irregularity in the seemingly monotonous lines of doors that you have captured very well.
Kind regards,
Gert

brianmcc (5536) 2012-01-10 12:25

hi ann,
this is a wonderfully well composed picture. the red towel on one level compliments the mans red tee shirt very well. the lighting on the scene is excellent. i love how all the textures are evident and the paint is visibly peeling on the stone work. superb picture.
regards,
brian

Budapestman (82620) 2012-01-10 12:29

Hi Ann,
a superb photo with graphic details and spectacular composition, nostalgic and effective photo, Tfs! Have a nice evening! Kellemes estét kívánok!
György

LOOOK13 (19022) 2012-01-10 15:19

Bonsoir Ann.
Very nice photo, with a special light that illuminates all these components that are fully representative of Havana.
Excellent composition.
Bravo.

npecanhuk (53829) 2012-01-10 16:57

Hi Ann!
Very nice and interesting picture showing those old decaying façades!
Composition, colors, exposure and sharpness really pleased me!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

CLODO (24672) 2012-01-10 23:56

well done, Ann

with the man in pink Tshirt giving life to this old and decayed house. Balconies seem still OK whereas the walls and blinders show their matter, the paint having be partialy removed by the weather.
Regards
CLODO

Nicou (97509) 2012-01-11 1:16

Hello

quel captage de cette vielle facade avec ce volets et l'écaillemetn de la peinture rouge ces balcon et les barrière, bien vu le personnage dans l'ensemble, unc adrage au millimètre, une super compo.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

dkmurphys (36709) 2012-01-11 1:17

Hi Ann,
Lovely old facade. Although it looks like a ghetto, it's quite picturesque. Interesting daily life scene, well captured.

Daniel

patdeph (35738) 2012-01-11 2:19

hello Ann
I can easily imagine he original colors, but I wonder if I prefer these old ones,that with these old textures, add a poignant charm to the city.I love the way you have framed,the details of the balcony with their shadows,and of course, the presence of this man and the driying linen giving life to the picture.Superb!
Regards
Pascale

wolf38 (28146) 2012-01-12 8:29

Hello Ann. Yes, that's Cuba. But what should people do in a dictatorship. Everything is regulated and there are few open spaces. Let's hope that everything eventually turns to the good. Rgds, Wolfgang.

saxo042 (31790) 2012-01-12 9:01

Hi Ann,
The doors and the wall show many stages of decay, but they also provide fine colours in a pleasant harmony. The guy in a red T-shirt makes a fine detail too.
Kind regards
Gunnar

Nard (6913) 2012-01-12 11:59

Hi Ann
I like this view of this old building with the focus on the windows and doors. The man allows us to feel how high are the windows. Old, used but charming.
regards
Bernard

cavli (1874) 2012-01-13 1:23

Hello ann,

very good pov! I like it very much. very good colors. ınteresting bulding. tfs
regards..

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4435) 2012-01-14 17:55

Hi Ann!

I really love the texture of this image, well exposed! Love the washed out colors and the rust feel of the image. The inclusion of the man is really nice, a great element to break the monotony in the image. Well composed!

best regards,
Matt

adores (28178) 2012-01-15 16:36

Hi Ann!
This is a really perfect capture! I like the way you framed the old windows, the details of the wood and walls losing their colours and specially the man standing there, doing something. The red towel and the objects around are interesting details and they show that the houses are still inhabited.Very good light,colours and sharpness.

worldcitizen (4848) 2012-01-16 14:02

Hello Ann,
It is amazing how something so faded, and falling into such disrepair, can be so very beautiful. There is a timeless grace to these buildings. I like the dual row of balconies in this composition, and the inclusion of the man on top.

RhodieIke (9207) 2012-01-17 0:01

Morning Ann, Super photo of this scene, love the pealing paint on the doors. Splendid colours, light and presentation, Have a good holiday,Cheers Iain.

jemaflor (68781) 2012-01-17 2:38

Hi Ann,
well framed and perfect detail with this man as a focal point in your windows series, good light too.

mkamionka (24455) 2012-01-25 6:29

Hi Ann,
I like very much such damaged houses, as sad as it is they are really photogenic. I have seen similar ones in Porto or Montevideo. Nice symmetry with repeated motifs.
Faded colors and perfect sharpness enhance the effect.
Very well spotted,
M

smarcell (19875) 2012-01-30 0:35

Beautiful and typical Cuban construction, with its colours fading away. I like the human presence too,
as it is a breaking point in the windows array.
Regards
Stefano

macjake (39207) 2012-01-30 11:00

Hi Ann
wow, great looking photo from Cuba.
just look at the peeling paint, the history, the charm, the rustic feel.
great scene, great subject
cheers
craig

fabbs99 (5312) 2012-09-11 11:37

Hi Ann

I like the rusty looks of the doors and the balcony.needs immediate repairs.The gentleman seems to be engaged in cleaning the piano.Nice perspective and colors in the composition.

Regds
Farhat

mayjayne (2792) 2013-02-27 7:48

Dear Ann,

I love the rustic and washed out look and feel in this facade. The details are excellent, with interesting focal points such as the man and the streak of red from the laundry. Nice work !

TFS,
May