The control tower, a photo from Sancti Spiritus, Ouest

Photographer's Note

In 1988, Valle de los Ingenios and neighbouring Trinidad were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Although most of the sugar mills are in ruins, intact structures endure at some sites, including Guachinango, where the plantation house remains, and the plantation of Manaca Iznaga, where the owner's house, a tower and some barracones, the original slave quarters, still stand. Although the barracones are now used as housing and are in poor repair, the house (which has been converted into a restaurant) and the "Iznaga Tower" are well maintained. The 45 metre (147 ft) tower was constructed sometime in 1816 by the owner, Alejo Maria Iznaga y Borrell. According to experts, the bell that formerly hung on top of the tower announced the beginning and the end of the work day for the slaves, as well as the times for prayers to the Holy Virgin in the morning, midday and afternoon. It was also used to sound an alarm in case of fire or slave escape. The height and magnificence of the tower served to display Iznaga's power over his slaves and his stature in the sugar industry and local society; at one time it was the tallest structure in Cuba. A recognised landmark of the region, the Iznaga Tower testifies to the area's flourishing material culture in the Spanish colonial period. The large bell now rests at the foot of the tower.In my previous post you can see a view taken from the tower.See WS too!

LA TORRE DI CONTROLLO.
Il principale luogo di interesse turistico della Valle de los Ingenios,è la Manaca Iznaga, 16 km a est di Trinidad, fondata nel 1750, questa tenuta di proprietà di uno degli uomini più ricchi di Cuba, arricchitosi con la tratta degli schiavi, ha una torre alta 44 metri che veniva usata un tempo come mirador per controllare gli schiavi nei campi e ora per ammirare il panorama della valle. La torre è abbellita da 136 colonne.Ovviamente ai suoi piedi sono stati allestiti dei mercatini,in particolare di tovaglie ricamate a mano.Nel mio post precedente potete vedere una panoramica presa dalla torre.Nel WS un'immagine del luogo ai tempi del suo massimo splendore.

annjackman, delpeoples, papagolf21, timecapturer, jlbrthnn, Budapestman, jusninasirun, bartekp, tyro, jacquest, ikeharel, kennyblack, Gigidusud, Graal, mauro61 trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

dkmurphys (36727) 2012-04-20 0:37

Ciao Luciano,
Very original composition. I like the elements of this scene and the great refreshing colors. Well done, enjoy a fine weekend!

Daniel

emka (58024) 2012-04-20 1:14

Hi Luciano,

Interesting note about this sugar plantation. I imagine that the bell announced the begin of the day for slaves early in the morning and ended in late evening. Nice architecture of this symbol of power. Nice presentation of the historic site and local products (or are the table cloth from China?).
Warm regrads

MAlgo

carlo62 (12492) 2012-04-20 1:21

Ciao Luciano
una composizione molto disuguale nei soggetti, trovare una torre con le baracche a terra e le tovaglie che svolazzano, non è così semplice, ma l'occhino vispo non ti abbandona fortunatamente.
Saluti
Carlo

ChrisJ (86798) 2012-04-20 1:24

Ciao Luciano,

Good sharpness & well composed with excellent management of perspective. The verticals are well positioned in the centre to allow the far left & far right to fall where they will. I also follow this rule when shooting wide angled shots. The old sugar mill tower resembles an ancient Chinese pagoda! Tfs!

annjackman (13177) 2012-04-20 1:27

Hello Luciano,
I see that you climbed the tower from your previous post? So did we! I also bought some of the embroidered linen for sale. Your picture has captured the lovely light and colours. I also like the way that you have composed this with the tablecloths in the FG.
Excellent.
Kind Regards, Ann

Nicou (97543) 2012-04-20 1:34

Hello

Ave cle linge pendu quelc adrage et composition d'image superbe captage et compo fantastique iamge quelle tour fière dans ce beau ciel, grandisoe.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

bayno (16141) 2012-04-20 2:30

Ciao Luciano,
ecco da dove avevi scattato la tua foto precedente...ottima composizione con parte di mercato e la torre che spicca verso il bellissimo cielo, certo non posso dire che lo scopo per cui l'hanno costruita fosse nobile...ma allora che dire del Colosseo!!!
Ottima la luce e i colori e una buona profondità...buon WE...
Valter

delpeoples (44900) 2012-04-20 2:50

Ciao caro Luciano

Molto caratteristico questo luogo, e molto incantevole. Hai composto bene la foto mostrando un po' della vita quotidiana e anche un po della storia. Bei colori, nitidezza al top e bel POV.

Complimenti e ti auguro un bel Venerdi
Lisa

papagolf21 (76465) 2012-04-20 3:06

Bonjour, cher Luciano,
Un talent manifeste pour nous faire découvrir des lieux étonnants.
J'aime beaucoup la façon dont le cadrage a été choisi.
Un édifice qui défit le temps, et la vie quotidienne d'un autre côté.
Très bien.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jmdias (45774) 2012-04-20 3:09

luciano

very nice framing catching the beautiful and curious tower and the artcraft too. interesting how this structure was used, I guess there isn't nothing similar in brazil despite the slaves and sugar cane had been usual here too in colonial times.

hugs

jorge

timecapturer (30226) 2012-04-20 3:38

Hi Luciano
clever composition with exquisite DOF. Executed superbly with perfect clarity and sharpness plus a wonderfully subtle light. A tantalising image, full of fascinating and contrasting elements.

Enjoy the weekend - regards Brian.

BennyV (12747) 2012-04-20 3:40

Hello Luciano

I remember this tower. The ram shackle of the improvised tourist shops in the front play a great role in setting apart the tower. Also the wooden cabins below play their part. I like the way you've composed this scene here.

Benny

dta (51294) 2012-04-20 4:54

Ciao Luciano ,
Une excellente composition faite d'élémnents hétéroclites , avec une tour particulièrement intéressante , comme une fusée prête à décoler .
Amicalement

Sergiom (39122) 2012-04-20 5:15

Ciao Luciano

Tu nous offre une belle série documentaire sur la vie quotidienne de cette belle ile.
Un très beau cadrage , très lumineux avec cette belle tour qui se dresse dans le ciel.

Amicalement

Serge

JFS (32053) 2012-04-20 5:15

The scenery can't be more various...The old tower is really impressive and the laundry very clean! Curious shot my friend.

All the best,
Juan

danyy (0) 2012-04-20 5:37

Hello Luciano !
Une vue plus modeste ici, du ras du sol. Bizarre cette tour qui semble ne servir à pas grand chose si ce n'est , d'observer les alentours.
Un bien joli ciel.
Have a great weekend.
Daniel.

Silvio1953 (98001) 2012-04-20 5:46

Ciao Luciano, gran bella torre dalla splendida architettura, fa spicco il contrasto con le capannette in bandoni, bella prospettiva, ottima nitidezza, splendida luce e bei colori naturali, bravo, buon week end, ciao Silvio

marcan44 (6223) 2012-04-20 6:19

Ciao Luciano,
ero rimasto al Marocco.
Con piacere vedo che sei stato a Cuba in un altro continente.
Molto belli la documentazione e lo scatto di questa torre e interessanti le note descrittive; meno male che adesso la torre serve solo ad ammirare dall'alto il panorama.
Ottimo come sempre il reportage fotografico.
Un caro saluto
Mario

pajaran (36149) 2012-04-20 6:48

Dobar dan-popodne.
Vrlo interesantan i dobar tekst sa datim podacima, i istorijom ...
Dobar snimak, ostrina, kontrast i prikaz lepim bojama.
Lep pogled na staru arhitekturu i mesto, dobra kompozicija.
Prijatno popodne i lepo vreme za odmor.
Sve najbolje za vikend.
Srecno.
Paja.

Google.

Buon mattino-pomeriggio.
Molto interessante e buon testo con i dati riportati e la storia ...
Buon tiro, nitidezza, contrasto e visualizzazione dei colori bellissimi.
Bella vista sulla vecchia architettura e luogo, una buona composizione.
Un bel pomeriggio e un bel tempo per rilassarsi.
Tutto il meglio per il weekend.
Buona fortuna.
Paja.

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-04-20 8:40

Ciao Luciano,
La torre di guardia sarebbe geloso di tutti questi controllori nati. L'immagine è abilmente composta, mostrando anche le persone locali. I colori chiari e la nitidezza sono eccellenti. Bravo.
Buongiorno.
Amicalement
Joël

SWEETFREEDOM (18389) 2012-04-20 10:11

Ciao Luciano,
interessante composizione, luci e colori strepitosi
ciao
Alessandro

Bluejeans (64221) 2012-04-20 11:00

Ola Luciano ,
Que pena aquela torre em tão mau estado deve estar quase em ruínas , bom primeiro plano com estas toalhas ao sol , gostei do contraste da torre com o céu , boas cores e luz , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom fim de semana

Budapestman (82620) 2012-04-20 11:10

Hi Luciano,
great shot from this place, the composition is very spectacular and I like the details and the attractive lights, superb view, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hétvégét kívánok!
György

Fis2 (73032) 2012-04-20 11:49

Witaj Luciano!
Interesting place, is climate.
I like tower.
Good POV and composition.
Nicely colors.
Well done.
Best reghards
Krzysztof

siamesa (27449) 2012-04-20 14:21

Boa noite Luciano

Interesting composition.That tower is a very attractive element in this place.
Abraços
maria

chris04stop (6787) 2012-04-20 16:42

Le tovaglie sono splendide. Se lo avessi saputo ti avrei chiesto di portarmene una (te l'avrei pagata, eh?) . La torre: sulle prime pensavo che fosse il campanile di una chiesa, invece é una roba tipo Gestapo. Non si finisce mai di scoprire orrori nel mondo. La tua é una foto eccellente. Ma ti sei reso conto che é un'immagine-denuncia, tipo fotogiornalista d'assalto? Lo so, lo so, che ormai la torre serve solo per ammirare il panorama, ma...so anche altrettanto bene come sono le attuali condizioni di vita cubane. W il morituro Fidel e i suoi scagnozzi, no?
Anna Paola

Yiannis84 (2824) 2012-04-20 18:02

Hi Luciano..

Another great shot from Cuba..this one have a very strong feeling! excellent framework and great tonal quality in the sky..the clarity is splendid as usual we found in your galery! awesome compo..very well done

Best regards..Yiannis

jusninasirun (17136) 2012-04-20 23:58

Hello Luciano.
Lovely shot at this tower with the drying cloth making an excellent fg subjects. You have managed this shot from fine angle with the wooden shack attracted my attention.
Regards.
Jusni

bartekp (4186) 2012-04-21 0:57

Hi Luciano,

Very good POV, composition and sharpness. Interesting note.

Have a nice day

Bartek

tyro (13021) 2012-04-21 5:42

Ciao Luciano,

A fascinating and interesting story and a wonderful photograph with which to illustrate it.

Your composition is excellent, the tall tower resting exactly on the "thirds" line, beautiful well saturated colours and exquisite detail and sharpness.

Is that a market in the left foreground?

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

jacquest (14076) 2012-04-21 5:44

Hello Luciano,

The framing of the tower with the drapes and the tree is quite creative. The superb light brings out natural colors and remarquable sharpness and the sky is nice to see.

Best regards

Jacques

agjika (4001) 2012-04-21 7:13

Hi Luciano,
Beautiful tower and I like the surroundings on the right however I am not sure the washing line and especially the people help a lot. I might have cropped a bit tighter and concentrate on the tower.

Regards

Aleks

ikeharel (37222) 2012-04-21 7:55

Buona sera Luciano,
Prominantly stand above the poor village, the tower shown in good sharpness and with nice red/brown colors.
Placing it off center in pic. gave extra depth to the whole.
Intertesting note about.
Arrivederci,
Ike

mesutilgim (67888) 2012-04-21 8:49

Hello Luciano,
Another nice -or better said educative- capture from Cuba. The eyecatching tower as sign of passed better times and in front of it the wooden barracks of poor people or at the left part the stand of soıvenir sellers.
Interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Sonata11 (28235) 2012-04-21 8:51

Hello Luciano,
wow!!! what an amazing tower, so beautiful architecture and you show wonderfully its beauty. Great compo and great framework as well. An excellent sharpness, clarity, light, POV and DOF too. I love it. Awesome photo job. Congrats.
All the best and have a wonderful WE,
Barbara

mohammad_H (6574) 2012-04-21 9:29

سلام لوسیانو
The architecture is eye catching and extremely pleasant. Color, beautiful sky and clouds. Camera angle and view the exquisite scene. Clarity and good light. Color settings of your ideal environment.
I wish you good night

kennyblack (4105) 2012-04-21 11:33

Ciao Luciano
Molto bella ed interessante questa foto che include sia la torre che ha un valore storico, come pure una parte del mercatino dove si possono scorgere delle persone. Mi piace molto il modo, la qualità ed il taglio del tuo ottimo lavoro. Grazie per la condivisione.
Un saluto ed augurio di buon weekend ... Marino

Gigidusud (7956) 2012-04-21 15:11

Ciao Luciano,
Originale composizione con bei colori e sorprendenti contrasti architettonici.
Complimenti!Bon WE.
Ghislaine

holmertz (26876) 2012-04-22 11:48

Hello Luciano,
This place has a horrible history and I guess things aren't perfect even today, but you have taken a fine photo of perfect sharpness and great colours. It's accompanied by an interesting note. I also find it interesting to see just a glimpse to the left of the slaves' descendants selling handicrafts to tourists by the old "control tower".
Kind regards,
Gert

cornejo (17988) 2012-04-22 12:25

Ciao amico Luciano, gran tiro di questo luogo interessante. Buona nitidezza, illuminazione e colore. Ottimo lavoro, complimenti.

Buona notte e felice inizio alla settimana.
Cordiali saluti.

Angel.

Graal (88808) 2012-04-23 0:00

Ciao Luciano,
An interesting construction of tower. The bedding and people from left a bit are pulling the attention away from the main subject. Good colours and sharpness. An interesting note.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

dale54 (4918) 2012-04-23 5:54

luciano hi,i sure get a taste of cuba thru this pic.all that green,and that ol' tower,very nice detail in this too! tfs! dr

mauro61 (52527) 2012-04-24 15:09

ciao Luciano,
tovaglie per turisti che con le palme aprono la scena su questa bella e particolare torre di cui rendi un'ottima nota.
Colori naturali e definizione al top,
saluti
maurizio

Morteza_E (879) 2012-05-13 12:17

Hello
Beautiful combination of nature and architecture. Very well.
With respect.