For Brazilian marathon runner and amateur photographer Demétrio Jereissati, the perfect shot emerged from his daily ritual during a trip to Havana in 2019. What began as a solitary morning run transformed into an unforgettable moment of photographic serendipity.
The Early Morning Ritual
Demétrio Jereissati has combined his passion for running with photography for over twenty years in his hometown of Fortaleza. "Each morning I head out early for a run – observing and storing the city in my memory," Jereissati explains. He describes these sessions as an exercise in truly seeing his surroundings, where every day reveals new perspectives.
This disciplined approach continued when he visited Cuba with friends in 2019. While in Havana, he ventured out alone at 6am, drawn to the city's famous waterfront promenade as the rising sun began to illuminate the architecture.
The Moment of Perfect Timing
As Jereissati approached the Malecón, his photographer's eye was immediately caught by a particular building. "I was drawn by the distinctive architectural lines and windows, and its condition," he notes. The scene featured majestic, ageing buildings framing early risers and classic American cars moving through the streets.
He began capturing images on his Huawei P30 Pro, attempting to photograph a young man in red shorts passing through the scene. Just as he focused, a speeding car of the same vibrant red unexpectedly entered the frame. "It created the perfect, eclectic scene," Jereissati recalls. This unexpected element transformed a good composition into an extraordinary one.
Capturing the Essence of Cuba
For Jereissati, this single image represents his personal vision of Cuba. "When I shoot, I try to weave together my own personal vision of a place, and this shot did just that," he says. The photograph successfully combines multiple elements that define Havana's character: the distinctive architecture, the daily life of its residents, and the iconic vintage vehicles.
Though his travels later took him to the tobacco fields of Viñales, the memory of that morning scene along the Malecón remained particularly vivid. The photograph stands as a testament to how preparedness meets opportunity, even during something as routine as a morning run.
The image demonstrates how modern smartphone cameras like the Huawei P30 Pro have empowered photographers to capture professional-quality images spontaneously, without the need for bulky equipment. It's a perfect example of how the best photographs often come from being in the right place at the right time – and being ready to capture the moment.
