Todd McGaw explains how he captured this striking portrait on an excursion through the bustling streets of Old Havana, Cuba.
Walking the streets of Old Havana, Cuba, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by the place. People, cars, dogs, scooters, coco taxis, smoke, bicycles, dust, kids running and weaving through the crowds – the chaos is addictive.
I had started shooting with my DSLR but this seemed to attract a lot of looks and attention – people suddenly wanted to know what I was doing. I returned to the hotel and grabbed my Fujifilm X100, a smaller, more discrete camera, that allows me to shoot unnoticed.
Back out on the streets I emerged from a narrow alleyway into one of the many old town squares. I welcomed the extra light and space and there seemed to be people everywhere.
I looked up and saw this wonderful lady on the second floor, just looking out at the commotion below. I took a single frame on the spot, just in case she moved, but she lingered long enough for me to move forward for a tighter composition.
As I walked forward she saw me and we looked at each other for what seemed like 10 seconds (probably closer to three). I took this photo and smiled and dipped my head in thanks. She nodded her head in response and I continued my journey through the city, thankful for our brief, wordless encounter.
Fujifilm X100, 23mm lens, 1/500s @ f8, ISO 400, handheld.