photo: ceiba

On a brief afternoon walk we came upon this Ceiba Tree – sacred in the Cuban santeria religion – a mixture of Native American, Catholic and African Yoruba religions.

At the base of the tree were many offerings – including a dead chicken, flowers, and what would otherwise and in another context appear to be trash. Perhaps it was, and just happened to be at the base of the Ceiba Tree. But at the base of this stone staircase, all that was evident was the Ceiba Tree, framed, as it were, by the rising steps.

ceiba,     Matanzas, Cuba
© erin dunigan 2012

photo: en la calle

en la calle    Havana, Cuba
© erin dunigan 2012

photo: che, out the window

Sometimes a photo happens because of planning and preparation. And sometimes you happen to look across the aisle of the bus, and if you are quick, capture something completely unexpected.

che out the window, cuba
© erin dunigan 2012

photo: havana sunset

Simply walking down the street in Havana is a photographer’s dream – so much picturesque, interesting, captivating.

As I headed back to my hotel along the Malecón I noticed sunlight spilling from behind this building, casting a shadow on the road below. Just then I saw this iconic representation of the Caribbean isle enter the scene. Quickly I put the camera to my eye and pressed the shutter.

Though I stayed in this spot on the sidewalk, watching, waiting, until the sun sunk behind the buildings’ horizon, this first image, a lucky one with the light and the timing just right, was ‘the one.’

 

 

havana sunset, cuba
© erin dunigan 2012