Key West, dangling like a yo – yo, at the end of a string of islands hanging from the bottom of Florida, is closer to Havana than to Miami. It seems to float on those tropical waters at the junction of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. At a crossroads. Control of Cayo Hueso, as it was often referred to, was passed back and forth between the Spanish and British, like fish gone bad. The Americans showed up in 1822 and claimed “The Rock” was theirs. No one complained.
The story that was Key West had quite a cast of characters. Pirates and adventure seekers, wreckers and fishermen, railroad tycoons and writers. And of course, the usual supporting roles of barkeeps and prostitutes. The famous and infamous came from everywhere, but most from the Bahamas and Cuba in the earlier years.
Cayo Hueso was the largest city in Florida in the late 1800s, and a major cigar making center. The influx of tabaqueros from Cuba has left its mark on this Southern Most City. Most notably, to my taste, the cuisine.
After a morning visit with the 100,000 residents of the Key West Cemetery, hungry and dripping humidity, we trudged down Grinnell Street looking for relief. Within a few blocks, the culinary oasis we were seeking: 5 Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop. What to order. That’s easy.
Bollos, that delectable black-eyed pea, deep fried fritter. Fresh made and piping hot. Reason enough to come to Key West. A delightful little morsel that make hush puppies hide their heads in shame. Next a mixito, of course. This traditional Cuban sandwich made with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. Then pressed on a hot grill. Perfection. Ideally, a double shot of Cafe Cubano, Cuban espresso sweetened with raw sugar, to wash it all down. But it’s just too hot today, and an ice cold Red Stripe will have to do.
Lunch bagged and ready, we head outside to the shady side of the store and enjoy the best food on the island, as we watch the world go by. Life was good and now better.
Processing the Image
In my minds eye, I saw this image (the original is to the right) with a light, bright, tropical feel, and a little nostalgic.
Most of the work was done in Lightroom. To get the look I wanted I:
- Slightly lightened the exposure
- Slightly reduced the contrast for a softer effect
- Reduced the highlights and lightened the shadows
- Reduced the clarity to give the image the soft, dreamy look
- Increased the vibrance to preserve the color
- Changed the hue of the red, orange, and blue channels for a more pastel tone
- In split toning I added a pinkish tone to the highlights and a blue tone to the shadows
- Did the final crop
That was about it for the processing.
I then opened the image in Photoshop and added linen like pattern fill at about 13% opacity for a little texture.
And finally, in the Perfect Effects 8Â plugin I added a Torn Paper border for a bit of a watercolor look.
kerbey
15 Jun 2014You certainly improved it.
fotograffer
15 Jun 2014Thanks Kerbey and thank you for visiting.
prior
15 Jun 2014love the soft pastels in this shot – very nice
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014Thank you very much and thanks for visiting.
Erwin
15 Jun 2014Nice way going from high contrast to soft watercolour look. Thanks for sharing the process steps.
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014You are very welcome. I am happy you liked the post.
inyctophobic
15 Jun 2014The title of this one led me to read further. Why? Because to Cubans, bollo, is another nickname for the vagina. I have never heard of an actual meal being called this. LOL.
Key West is awesome.
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014Thanks for the heads up. I probably should not write about papayas either, right? 🙂
inyctophobic
16 Jun 2014Oh wow, that made me laugh out loud. Us Cubans have the craziest nicknames for things associated with food.
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014Or associated with the other, it would seem.
inyctophobic
16 Jun 2014Ah yes…I meant to throw that in there too.
Dalo 2013
15 Jun 2014The opening shot is really surreal and it seems fitting with your story about Key West. One day I hope to visit its shores.
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014Thanks Randall. I always appreciate your comments. I hope you make it to the other coast too.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs
16 Jun 2014oh my goodness! i would have to work for years to try to master what you did! i think i’d better stick to painting!
great story and great image! z
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014We all have our talents, I suppose. Mine certainly is not painting, however. Your work continues to amaze. Thanks a much for your kind comment Lisa.
anotherday2paradise
16 Jun 2014This is a brilliant image, Ron. This area has such interesting history.
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014Thank you Sylvia. Have you been to the keys and Key West?
moosemaine7
16 Jun 2014Love the light, water color effect. You did a great job of capturing the heat and the beachy feel.
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014Thanks for such a kind comment and thank you for visiting.
Gigi Galore
16 Jun 2014Utterly gorgeous 🙂 And so yummy to read …. You have whet my appetite! We don’t get much Cuban food around here so probably porridge will have to do … Sounds boring doesn’t it? Maybe I will have miso soup instead! 🙂
fotograffer
16 Jun 2014Make your own. Might be the start of something.
catbirdinamerica
24 Jun 2014I like the effect you created through the Lightroom processing, Ron. It almost looks like a painting. I just wish I could have enjoyed the visuals of your enticing lunch!! It sounded perfect. 🙂
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014Thanks Cathy. I am happy with the outcome. No shortage of great food in Key West.
Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery
27 Jun 2014A fun redo of the original photo – definitely took on a more beachy, tropical feel.
fotograffer
27 Jun 2014It was fun being able to get what I was seeing in my minds eye. And was even more surprising to get it done in Lightroom. Thank you Carol.
psychologistmimi
2 Sep 2014I so want to be there
fotograffer
4 Sep 2014I want to go back. 🙂 thanks.