Shadows of the Cannons in Old Havana | Limited Edition of 10
Historic Cannons and Shadows at Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza
In Havana, the past doesn’t just whisper—it fires back. Lined up with quiet authority, these colonial-era cannons sit in front of the Castillo de la Real Fuerza like guardians from another time. I shot this photograph early in the day, when the light was just hard enough to cast those long, blade-like shadows across the cobblestones.
What grabbed me first was the geometry: the repetition, the rhythm, the way history and form lock into place with almost military precision. The cannons are not replicas—they’re relics, survivors of centuries, now mute but still commanding. Set on rugged wooden carriages, their weathered surfaces show the weight of their years. Behind them, the classic stone columns and wrought iron fencing wrap the scene in that unmistakable Havana blend of strength and ornate character.
I chose black and white deliberately for this one. Colour would’ve softened the tension, maybe even romanticized it. But there’s nothing romantic about what these cannons once did—or could’ve done. Stripped of hue, the image becomes all about mass and shadow. You can feel the heat rising off the stone. You can imagine the clatter of boots, the echo of commands in Spanish, the weight of empire clinging to the air.
And yet, there’s beauty here. Havana’s ability to hold contradiction is what keeps pulling me back. These weapons are brutal, but their symmetry is elegant. Their purpose was war, yet now they sit quietly, part of a heritage site visited by tourists, admired for aesthetics more than power. In that lies the deeper story.
This print is part of my larger effort to document Cuba as it truly is: proud, layered, resilient. For those drawn to structure, history, or the boldness of unapologetic contrast, this image delivers. It’s also a reminder—what we build to defend can end up defining us long after the battle’s over.
You can find this image, along with other authentic Cuban scenes, in the Cuba Photography Collection.
© Dan Kosmayer, 2017
Limited Edition of 10
This photograph is released as a signed and numbered limited edition of only 10 prints in total across all available sizes combined—not 10 prints in each size.
Every size is drawn from the same edition. Whether the photograph is purchased as a small print or at the largest available size, it uses one of the 10 edition numbers.
I personally sign and number each print on the reverse, and every print is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity recording its title, dimensions, medium, edition number, and date of issue.
Once all 10 prints have been sold, the edition will be permanently closed. No additional numbered editions of the photograph will be produced in another size or format.
Premium Archival Fine Art Prints
I personally produce every photograph using archival pigment inks on premium archival paper with a subtle luster finish.
The paper provides rich tonal depth, excellent fine-detail reproduction, and a refined surface that reduces distracting glare under normal indoor lighting. It is especially well suited to both color and black-and-white photography.
Each photograph is sold as an unframed fine art print, allowing it to be framed according to the collector’s space and personal style.
Before a print leaves my studio, I carefully inspect it for color, tonal accuracy, surface quality, and overall presentation. Nothing is outsourced, and every finished print passes through my hands.
Worldwide Delivery Included
Every print is personally produced, inspected, signed, numbered, and carefully packaged by me at my studio in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada.
Worldwide delivery is included in the listed price, so there is no additional shipping charge added during checkout. I select an appropriate tracked delivery service based on the destination, print size, and current shipping requirements.
Delivery times vary by destination and may be affected by customs processing or circumstances beyond my control.
Because I also travel extensively to create new photographic work, studio dispatch may occasionally be delayed while I am away. When that happens, the print will be produced and shipped as soon as I return to the studio.
