The purple car, a photo from La Habana, West

Photographer's Note

El Capitolio, or National Capitol Building in Havana, Cuba, was the seat of government in Cuba until after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Its design and name recall the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., but it is only superficially similar. Completed in 1929, it was the tallest building in Havana until the 1950s and houses the world's third largest indoor statue.
The site occupied by El Capitolio was originally an area of swamp which was later used for slave dwellings and later still for the country's first botanical garden. In 1839, after the plants were relocated, the Villanueva Station (Estación de Ferrocarriles de Villanueva) was constructed on the site. The station was inaugurated in 1839 and was in use until the first decade of the 20th century when a modern station was constructed further to the east of the city. Before the existing building was erected there were other construction projects proposed for the site. The first, proposed in 1912, was to build a Presidential Palace, but the idea was later modified to construction of a building for the Cuban legislature. Financing was obtained and the work started in December 1917 but stopped during World War I and was never recommenced. The dome of the building, which had been completed before work was suspended, was destroyed in an explosion in 1918.
In 1925, Gerardo Machado was elected president. Soon afterward under the mandate of the legislature he commissioned a new design from the Cuban architects Raúl Otero and Eugenio Raynieri. The previous, partially completed building was demolished and work began on the new building on 1 April 1926. Construction was overseen by the U.S. firm of Purdy and Henderson. In it, 8,000 labourers worked 8-hour shifts 24 hours a day, and as a result the building was completed in just 3 years and 50 days.
The building was named after a referendum on the choice of either the El Palacio del Congreso (Palace of Congress) or El Capitolio, and was inaugurated on 20 May 1929. The legislature did not move into the building until February 1931, as although the structure was complete by 1929 it took almost another two years before the interior decoration was finished. The building is finished with fine marble throughout and the total cost of construction and decoration is estimated to have been 17 million pesos. The building served as the seat of the legislature until the late 1950s; both the House of Representatives and Senate were based in the building. When the Communist Regime abolished and disbanded the Congress in 1959, the building lost its purpose as the House of the People. Later it ended up as the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. The main floor (which is on the first storey) is open to visitors and many of the rooms are used to host conferences and meetings.

L'AUTOMOBILE VIOLA

Il Campidoglio (Capitolio Nacional) è un imponente edificio costruito nel 1929 a L'Avana (Cuba) sotto la direzione dell'architetto Eugenio Raynieri Piedra. Dopo alcuni progetti rimandati negli anni precedenti, la costruzione dell'edificio iniziò nel marzo del 1926 e fu inaugurato 2 anni e cinquanta giorni dopo, il 20 maggio del 1929. Il suo costo fu di 17 milioni di Pesos dell'epoca, equivalenti alla stessa quantità di dollari dell'epoca.Divenuto uno dei simboli di Cuba, ai tempi del presidente Fulgencio Batista era la sede ufficiale della Camera dei Rappresentanti e del Senato cubano, poi dopo la rivoluzione cubana del 1959 divenne sede del Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (CITMA).

Budapestman, papagolf21, ChrisJ, jmdias, tyro, pajaran, dip, timecapturer, ikeharel, lakshmip1949, ybx, francio64, Sonata11, jjcordier, danos, bayno, RhodieIke, AliMoein, Gigidusud, macjake, macjake, SnapRJW, jusninasirun, fotka, baddori has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Budapestman (82620) 2012-04-04 1:10

Hi Luciano,
I like this nostalgic atmosphere, the composition is very attractive and I like the architectural details and the car in the foreground, superb shot with great POV, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kívánok!
György

aliabazari (10105) 2012-04-04 1:14

Ciao
La scelta di un buon angolo. Bella architettura e bella con auto d'epoca. Ottima nitidezza e l'esposizione.
Molto bella

papagolf21 (76495) 2012-04-04 1:20

Bonjour, cher ami Luciano,
La belle américaine avec ses couleurs, flashe dans la composition. A tel point, que la voiture éclipse presque l'architecture en arrière-plan.
Très bonne réalisation.
Amitiés.
Philippe

besnard (48759) 2012-04-04 1:29

Bonjour Luciano
Elle a beaucoup de chic cette belle américaine colorée et bien entretenue. Tu as été tant subjugué par cette voiture que tu a coupé le haut de la coupole !!!
Bonne journée.
Nicole

BennyV (12747) 2012-04-04 1:49

Great to catch up on your Cuba shots, Luciano. Your latest shot is another terrific one. The car reminds me of playground merry-go-rounds. Great low angle that makes the most of the Capitolio and the threatening sky above.

Now I'll move on to the political post you posted before to see which party is the kite and which party the wires.

Benny

mohammad_H (6576) 2012-04-04 1:51

Hi Luciano,
دیوارهای این بنا یکدست سفید و شیری.و این به زیبایی این معماری افزوده.توده ابر از بارانزا و ماشین بسیار شیک قدیمی با وضوح بسیار عالی بنا.شاهکار کردی دوست من.روز خوبی توإم با موفقیت داشته باشی
The smooth white walls and red roof. And this added to the beauty of this architecture. Mass of clouds, distant and very high resolution. Building. Masterpiece, I love you.
Have a good day with success

ChrisJ (86818) 2012-04-04 2:18

Buongiorno Luciano

I like the low shooting angle and the contrast between the old car & the much older bg architecture. The people add scale & animate the scene. Impeccable sharpness & well framed & composed. Nice repetition of the columns & the blue purple pink color scheme is well seen. All are closely related colors! Tfs!

danyy (0) 2012-04-04 2:34

Hello mon cher ami,
on se demande qui est vedette sur cette photo, ce ciel menaçant et dramatique, la capitole ou alors cette magnifique voiture qui tient un peu du folklore ?
En tous cas, une photo attrayante, bonne sur le plan technique sauf le personnage coupé à gauche.
Kind regards.
Daniel.

jmdias (45776) 2012-04-04 2:46

luciano

a beautiful view of the monument. I thought it was older. here a lower angle that let to see areas I never had seen before. like uruguay, cuba is famous by its old cars, anyway in cuba they are very necessary. nice image with good light, framing and sharpnes.

hugs

jorge

chrisvek (5437) 2012-04-04 3:14

Hello Luciano,

Great shoot as always.Very nice view and wonderful architectural backgound.Wonderful colors,tones and sharpness.Excellent POV.TFS

Have a nice evening,
Chris

tyro (13043) 2012-04-04 3:25

Ciao Luciano,

What a magnificent building and what a magnificent car too! Your note is very interesting and informative.

You have captured this wonderful building splendidly against a lovely dark sky and the foreground car, all smart in its non-original colours, looks fabulous. Obviously the owner of this car is the proud fellow leaning against it, almost asking others to come and admire it! The addition of some interested tourists also enhances the composition.

Wonderful composition, perfect exposure, stunning colours and exquisite details and sharpness.

Fabulous!

Kind Regards,

John.

altay1364 (0) 2012-04-04 3:36

Hello Luciano

Great combination!very beautiful pic.Respects

pajaran (36179) 2012-04-04 3:41

Dobar dan.
Vrlo interesntan i dobar tekst sa datim podacima o staroj arhiteturi, i istorija ...
Lep pogled preko starog automobila na staru zgradu, dobra kompozicija.
Dobar trenutak snimka, ostrina, kontrast i prikaz lepim bojama.
Stari automobil ostavlja utisaki ...
Prijatno popodne i sve najbolje.
Paja.

Google.

Buon pomeriggio.
Interesntan e testo molto buono con un dato di dati arhiteturi vecchio, e la storia ...
Bella vista sulla vecchia macchina sul vecchio edificio, una buona composizione.
Un colpo momento buono, la nitidezza, il contrasto e la visualizzazione dei colori bellissimi.
La vecchia macchina dà l'impressione ...
Un bel pomeriggio e tutto il meglio.
Paja.

dale54 (4920) 2012-04-04 4:03

well this is nice,hi luciano.beautifull light and color in this,great street scene,and look at that super purple car!! love it! tfs! dr

JFS (32077) 2012-04-04 4:24

Great shot Luciano! I love the perspective, the old and flashing car and the rich architecture. Great work!

Cheers,
Juan

Bluejeans (64221) 2012-04-04 4:52

Ola Luciano ,
Beleza esta foto com o Capitolio em Cuba tem uma arquitetura fantástica é enorme como carro :), gostei do contraste branco roxo , um carro deste era perigoso para andar nas ruas de Lisboa :) , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Sergiom (39148) 2012-04-04 5:05

Ciao Luciano,

J'aime beaucoup cette composition. Cette belle voiture prend la vedette mais aussi laisse un peu d'espace pour le Capitole derrière. Le propriétaire semble bien fier de sa monture.

Amicalement

Serge

Nicou (97583) 2012-04-04 5:06

Hello

fantastique cpatage quelle voitire avec ce violet superbe ces belle ailes elle est merveilleuse et devant cet édiffice é la superbe architecture fantastique cpatage et compo superbe vue.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

dip (21875) 2012-04-04 5:09

Ciao Luciano,
wonderful photo with amazing colors combination,good point of view and beautiful details,
thanks for sharing,
Dimitris.

dta (51334) 2012-04-04 5:13

Ciao Luciano ,
Si tu as coupé la coupole , cela doit être un chois délibéré , pour donner la vedette à cette CAdillac (?) rutilante . j'aime beaucoup aussi le ciel menaçant , et la présence des personnages (tu aurais pu supprimé celui qui est coupé à gauche)
Amicalement

timecapturer (30256) 2012-04-04 5:13

Hi Luciano
love this! So expressive and evocative. Love the contrasting elements here and the way you have composed them is inspired. An original and imaginative masterpiece. Superb imagery!

Regards - Brian.

tedesse (22096) 2012-04-04 5:13

Hi Luciano!
Super frame, good POV.
I like beautiful pink cars.
Best regards
Tadeusz

Silvio1953 (98051) 2012-04-04 5:27

Ciao Luciano, gran bel POV con la fantastica vettura d'epca dall'improbabile colore in primo piano, bella vista del Campidoglio cubano, bravo, ciao Silvio

ikeharel (37254) 2012-04-04 5:38

Those old American cars are a heritage in Cuba, Luciano.
There it is not uncommon - but if such a car would pass in my town - everyone would have taken a photo of. Fabulous preserved, Chevy I assume it is .
Maybe a few meters backwards would include the top of the dome - even the car is the main subject. Yet we see a beautiful archi. details on the edifice.
Buona serata,
Ike

robmal (1548) 2012-04-04 6:58

Hello Luciano.
This is fantastic street shot with amazing architecture and fantastic old car in the foreground, perfect quality, composition and POV, well done.
Best regards Robert.

mvdisco (16440) 2012-04-04 7:43

Bonjour Luciano,
Magnifique prise de vue de cet édifice gouvernemental en arrière-plant et cette belle d'autrefois.(Buick convertible milieu des années 50) en avant-plant,
Excellent point de vue et détails de cette daily life scène sous un ciel nuageux..
compliments .
Michel ciao..

kennyblack (4105) 2012-04-04 8:17

Ciao Luciano
Credo che macchine così le puoi trovare solamente in questi posti. Impressionante il contrasto dei colori con tutto il contorno. Anche se la giornata non era delle migliori sei riuscito a fare un ottimo lavoro. Molto bella e dettagliata ed ottima la nota.
Un saluto ed augurio di buona serata ... Marino

abmdsudi (26151) 2012-04-04 11:07

Hi Luciano
What a glorious colors of that vintage car from impressive low pov leading the eyes through to the imposing banckground with excellent focal of interest conveying a happy mood indeed..Some exquisite work with lovely tonal range, an intriguing happy scene and good framing. Wonderful daily street scene, Congrats
Best regards

francio64 (38188) 2012-04-04 13:10

Ciao Lucià,
con una macchina del genere mi ci farei la Route66 Coast to Coast.
Bella l'immagine nel suo insieme. Ben composta e ben animata.
Avrei cercato di evitare di tagliare la cupola del Capitolio, giusto per essere un pò pignolo :))

Cari saluti!
L'Assessore :p

ybx (251) 2012-04-04 13:14

Luciano, questa è veramente speciale!
Hai creato un mix di contrasti (colori, forme, epoche) incredibile, il tutto racchiuso in una sapiente inquadratura e con una perfetta scelta dei parametri esposizione, colore, ecc.
Il tipo appoggiato alla macchina, con camicia a quadri blu e cappello da cowboy fa la foto, mentre la ciliegina sulla torta è il temporale che sta arrivando in cielo.

Complimenti veramente

Ciao

Corrado

bebbetto (12) 2012-04-04 14:31

Ciao Lucio.
Che bella prospettiva ! Ho l'impressione che questa auto americane anni 50 vengano mantenute in buono stato a fini esclusivamente turistici. Sono comunque belle e attraenti da fotografare. Quì i colori si abbinano molto bene. Splendido scatto

agjika (4011) 2012-04-04 15:34

Hi Luciano,
Very nostalgical sort of photo. Very well taken, great pov and colours.

Greetings

Aleks

siamesa (27449) 2012-04-04 17:21

Boa noite Luciano

Today I was talking about these beautiful cars of Cuba.
Spectacular point of view and a very interesting photo.
Abraços
maria

chris04stop (6787) 2012-04-04 17:48

Ma che bello scatto, Luciano! Quel vecchio macchinone potrebbe raccontare tante di quelle cose! Ma le auto non hanno il dono della parola, giusto?
Anna Paola

Didi (48882) 2012-04-04 18:58

Bonjour Luciano
Je pardonne la coupure du dôme
Mais j'apprécie le reste du cadrage et l'originalité du sujet.
Je pense que le conducteur devrait changer ses amortisseurs :)
Joyeuses Pâques

mauro61 (52527) 2012-04-04 20:52

ciao Luciano,
complimenti per la scelta del POV che reputo fantastica.
Mi piace il gioco di colore creato dall'auto con lo sfondo perfetto mix di architettura e turisti,
saluti
maurizio

Sonata11 (28273) 2012-04-04 21:13

Hello Luciano,
Awesome old car!!!! a very beautiful photo of this charming and lovely place with stunningly beautiful architecture and the golgeous purple car which I love it. Colors, sharpness, clarity of so many details, POV and DOF are fabulous. This picture is sooo beautiful and impressive. Wonderfully executed. Excellent work. My congrats.
All the best,
Barbara

TopGeo (37994) 2012-04-04 23:21

Hello Luciano! a beautiful photo of this imposing Capitolio I like the composition and the attractive lights the architectural details are splendid, superb colours and the POV is excellent,with excellent daily life and old car FG Perfect idea!Happy Easter
ciao
Georgios

jjcordier (62280) 2012-04-04 23:40

Luciano
Cette superbe américaine violette et son heureux propriétaire constituent un superbe premier plan que ton grand angle met encore plus en valeur. J'aime aussi beaucoup le capitole et le ciel gris en arrière plan qui donne une jolie harmonie de couleurs (je ne sais pas si tu aurais pu éviter de couper le haut de la coupole?)
Amicalement
JJ

emka (58078) 2012-04-04 23:42

Hi Luciano,

I remember from other shots that Cuba is a paradise for the lovers of old cars. Umpressive car in funny colours. I like the scene here, although I would prefer not to see the group of tourists on the right side. Couldn't you ask them to move away? (joking, of course). This capitol house is impressive.

WArm regrads

MAlgo

danos (73946) 2012-04-05 0:58

Ciao Luciano,
excelelnt presentation of this well-kept and brilliant old American car in front of the Capitolios of the country.I like its paint as contrast perfect with the moody of the weather.

Have a good day,danos

bayno (16149) 2012-04-05 2:39

Ciao Luciano,
arrivo sempre ultimo a commentare le tue foto, ma ho una connessione che è una sola e per aprire una immagine faccio in tempo a farmi un caffè...a volte perdo la pazienza...
Che dire sicuramente non potevi evitare di tagliare la cupola, eri già sdraiato in terra e con una focale di 5mm, il grigio con il viola è la morte sua...scatto stupendo e una macchina favolosa...
saluti dall'india...ancora una settimana...
Valter

RhodieIke (9207) 2012-04-05 2:43

Hi Luciano, This guy looks very proud of his smashing car, love the colour co-ordination with the car and lady scarf behind, super Architecture of this fantastic building in Havana. Managed and presented superbly, Tfs, Have great Easter, Cheers Iain.

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2012-04-05 6:54

Hello Luciano,

Looks like Cubans love purple color. A good capture of this car with the blend of purple and white. I presume the man leaning on the car is the proud owner. The color contrast between the dull gray building and the car is very striking. Nice sharp image with good management of light.

Lakshmi

serp2000 (29158) 2012-04-05 8:58

Sabaidee, Luciano,
I just have image, as you crawl toward that goal.)))
Fine low POV, nice colors, great composition. TFS!
Best wishes,
Serghei

AliMoein (780) 2012-04-05 9:16

Hi Luciano
Very nice shot of the purple car
It has a very good details and nice colors
I like the purple car color
All the best
Ali

milad_abazari (1648) 2012-04-05 9:25

Ciao
Ottima composizione. Bei colori. Ottima idea. La mia macchina è molto bella e incantevole.
Grazie per il tuo commento.

patdeph (35738) 2012-04-05 12:10

bonsoir Luciano
que ce soit le ciel, le capitole ou la voiture, tout est beau dans cette photo,mais c'est quand même la voiture rutilante qui a la vedette.Excellent!
Amitiés
Pascale

jadesgran (3271) 2012-04-05 13:06

Hello Luciano
A very nice take of this flashy car.Also the building behind (a pity you cut the top off)but still a grand picture.
Best Wishes
Gladys

Gigidusud (8000) 2012-04-05 14:50

Ciao Luciano,
Splendida architettura scatatto d'un bel angolo.Ma mi piace soppratutto la bella macchina!Eh eh eh!!!
Sei bravissimo!
Grazie per i tuoi gentile complimenti.
Ghislaine

macjake (39207) 2012-04-05 15:01

Hi Luciano
I really enjoy this low POV looking straight upwards into the sky.
Too bad we don't have the full top of the tower though.
but the purple car kinda makes up for that :)
there are 2 beauties here, my favorite is the building, the car is #2 :)
an excellent cuban photo
cheers
craig

pierrefonds (48321) 2012-04-05 16:03

Bonsoir Luciano

Avec la vieille voiture en avant-plan pour cadrer le Capitol est une bonne idée. La prise de vue permet de voir avec précision les détails et les couleurs de la vieille voiture et de l'architecture du Capitol. Le ciel nuageux donne un bon contraste aux couleurs. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

dkmurphys (36737) 2012-04-06 3:47

Ciao Luciano,
A very original capture that has the essence of the city. Well captured, enjoy the day.

Daniel

amaryllis (30149) 2012-04-06 4:03

Bonjour
une belle voiture aux couleurs vives devant le capitole!
belle architecture de ce batiment et sans oublier cette jolie voiture qui accentue avec les silhouettes
belle composition
( je vais aller à Milan en mai-juin, mais je pars pour Rome lundi 16 de ce mois)
a bientôt
juliette

Cricri (86347) 2012-04-06 10:59

Ciao Luciano
Sublime la voiture, du coup on en oublie le batiment en arrière plan, superbe coup de flash des couleurs mauve et blanc, je me vois bien au volant :-)
Belle soirée et Joyeuse Pâques
cricri

eldancer1 (16984) 2012-04-07 9:35

Here in the U.S. this car would be classic but in Cuba it's transportation. But beautifully maintained and I like the colors. Great pov and dof with nice details. Well done, tfs.

polpo56 (15121) 2012-04-07 13:45

Ciao Luciano,

bella foto, complimenti.

Buona Pasqua

Ludo

SnapRJW (18690) 2012-04-15 10:00

Hello Luciano - I have been away for a while so busy catching up with recent posts. I love this. Your POV is well chosen emphasising the wonderful car and the colour coordinated people! Clever. Lovely classically styled building makes a great background. Super shot. Warm regards rosemary

jusninasirun (17136) 2012-04-18 23:24

Hello Luciano.
I like vintage cars that are painted in striking two tones. This is a true classic and well restored wheels that makes the owner proud. Love the low angle emphasizing the beauty of this motor.
Kind regards.
Jusni

fotka (2320) 2012-04-20 6:01

Hello Luciano,
Nice shot of Capitol building in Havana with an old american car. Great catch of daily life in front of Capital. Superb pov with fantastic architecture, colors, light and sharpness.
Have a nice weekend.
Zbigniew

axiotea (21647) 2012-04-26 11:57

ciao Ciano
Vow! Che macchina! Molto bella, elegante e puoi pazzesco il colore! si vede che è mantenuta bene...si stacca bene dal Capitolio sotto il cielo minaccioso! il grande angolo funziona molto bene, mi piace il risulto. Avrei potuto "togliere" le 2 persone a sinistra, pero è un dettaglio ;)

Un abbraccio
Marilyn

sacavem (18572) 2012-05-07 9:39

Olá Luciano,

These fantastic cars healthy. The Cubans make parts with the hand for their cars because they do not have money and in many cases now exists parts.Very great POV, excellent perspective and very well composed

Cumprimentos,
Filipe

baddori (18988) 2012-05-22 23:07

Luciano
Un arguto commentatore e un "Censore" alla Cicerone.
Foto dissacranti ma interessanti ed una galleria di Cuba da gustare.
Nell'ultimo campidoglio (che fu anche di Battista) del ex --ma per quanto del capitalismo una foto dissacrante per POV e contenuti ...
Grande Lucianone
Una foto da appendere.
GF