This marks the American photographer’s 4th trip to Cuba since the late 1990s. Cuba has historically been one of Michael Eastman’s most successful series. Faded aristocratic mansions and architectural facades carry an atmosphere of neglect and decay, while maintaining the vibrant tones of the Caribbean. Eastman’s photographs maintain a painterly quality with rich colors, dramatic lighting, and lavish details. He has been referred to as a contemporary urban alchemist magically transforming everyday common objects and surfaces into precious and profound photographs.

A purist to his 4×5 camera, negative film, and natural light, Eastman does not believe in digitally altering his photographs. Doing so, he claims, would alter the historical significance of the finished product. Vivid and jewel-like tones come from long exposure and natural light, not RGB or CMYK, and far reaching visual clarity comes from a wide-angle lens and depth of field, not digital manipulation.

Michael Eastman
Havana 2010
March 4 – April 30, 2011
Barry Friedman Ltd.
515 West 26th Street
New York, New York 10001