HAVANA TIMES PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

GUEST BLOG—By Circles Robinson, Editor, Havana Times—To arrive at the winners of the Seventh Annual Havana Times Photo Contest 20 judges had to view the work of 190 photographers who submitted 1,506 pictures. 

The contest was very competitive with a high level of work by both amateur and professional photographers. Of the winning photos, two were taken by Cubans, one by a US citizen and three by Israelis.

There were four rounds of selection. In the first cut, 119 photographers survived with at least one photo; in the second, 85. Going into the final round were 47 participants with a total of 72 images.

In the final round all the photos received at least 1 point in our rating system, which reflects the closeness of the contest.

Once again congratulations to the participants, and to the 20 judges who devoted considerable time over a month.

And the winners in the SIX categories are:

PORTRAIT—An exciting intimate moment of a grandmother and her granddaughter.  This picture was taken in Cienfuegos by Felix Lupa, Israel.

TEXTURES—“Mirror in the Street.” By Adar Hay, Israel, who said “I took this photo in Havana Vieja.  I remember being almost alone in the street, it was very early in the morning.  This worker was so focused on his task, and once he noticed me he looked at me like I was a freak taking so many photos of puddles.  I guess he had no idea that he was a major part of the shot.

STREET VENDOR --This is a typical scene from the Parrandas of Remedios, Villa Clara, annual fiesta where in a small village foreign visitors, domestic tourists, relatives, friends of Cuba and local residents join together to create massive and chaotic scenes but always surrounded by joy. Everything comes together simultaneously.  Photo by Orlando García, Cuba

WORKPLACE—Visiting the studios and workshops of Cuba is to see and learn so much of the vibrant Cuban culture.  “This dramatic sculpture (foreground) really caught my eye,” said winning photographer Linda Klipp, USA.  “I tried to show its progression from sketch to sculpture while including Solomon, the artist in the background inside his workshop in Matanzas.  His diverse works hkave ben shown worldwide from painting to sculpting to ceramics.  All very colorful.”

FRIENDSHIP—Two 100-year-olds spend most of their day sitting together.  It was an emotional moment to capture the expression of love between them  This picture was taken in Trinidad by Felix Lupa, Israel.

BICYCLES—“Blessed by the Rain.” By Eduardo Garcia, Cuba.

Playing in the rain is something common and desired by many children.  In Havana, little kids love to feel free and be blessed by nature.  “In the summer of 2014 this little boy made me remember my childhood with its innocence and free spirit,” said Eduardo Garcia.