Endangered Species Photo

Photographer’s Note

On July 1st 2007, England introduced a new law to make virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England smokefree. Smoking is legal and the smoking ban was introduced to protect non smoking workers and customers.

Smokers feel their rights are neglected, that by this ban they're being put on the street or in half open cattle sheds.

So, are smokers becoming endangered species? See how they feel about it.

________

techs: small amount of higher ISO noise removed in pp-ing and replaced by film grain.

nbj, Dpbours, sevy, Photo65Net, mydrjoe, burGu, feather has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nels (2455) 2008-07-26 7:14

hello robert, after your last couple of postings "holding hands" i was looking for the other hand,but not to be a picture that says it all
adrian

your comment on smoking as a non smoker i whole heartidly respect the rights of any one who wants to smoke but must admit its nice to go home after a night on the town and not to smell of stale smoke

nbj (1871) 2008-07-26 7:20

very cool and simple statement. i love the lines and the focus, and the framing works really well.

baba_flies (7933) 2008-07-26 7:38

Hello Robiiiiiii! I quit smoking more than one year ago but I never mind if someone smokes around me unless it is very early in the morning. I rarely miss it but sometimes I do which could be after a heavy meal or when I travel with a good friend when we arrive at the hotel, watch a good movie and smoke in the hotel room, this has something special that you would never do at home, or at pop concerts ... hundres of little moments for an excuse but in the end it is your health. And what helps me is that I want to keep a nice skin and do not look like a limp flower :) This is a cool post with the hand looking out obviously trying to avoid that the smoke goes into someone's face. We got your message, and this is what makes a good picture! Enjoy your Saturday ... Barbara.

Dpbours (210) 2008-07-26 8:07

Hi Robert,

Hahaha, I like the abbreviation Forest (The Freedom Organisation For the Right To Enjoy Smoking Tobacco). Funny little docu-drama about smokers feeling neglected. Love the TV-link.
Well, I'm a smoker as well and here the ban started 1st of July 2008. I don't care that much. Smokers are an endangered species already; They die anyhow, perhaps earlier, but everyone dies at some point.

Thanks for sharing!

Greetings, Dennis

sevy (12879) 2008-07-26 8:46

Hello Robert,

A funny title for this strange picture (due to this arm with cigarette coming from the wall, almost a surealist composition).
The B&W treatment was very well managed and the grain is quite attractive for this graphic picture.
A good illustration of your note, and yes, a society subject not so easy to solve.

Yves.

Polonaise (5627) 2008-07-26 9:55

Have you realized Rob, how smokers refer to this piece of legislation...?
They refer to is as a 'Smoking ban' and not as a 'Smoking ban in the public places'...

It looks to me like any rhetoric is good as long as I can express myself about disappearing (???) liberties in our countries ...!

Quite honestly - U.K. is behind many countries on this subject...
The opinions and anti- law movement in UK?...
100% the same like in my country...!!!
Taking away our liberties... A way the politician promote themselves for the next election... Insurance companies' conspiracy... Blah...Blah...Blah...

Fine (and smart) piece of photography, in there, pal..

All the best

g
............

Ebbe (9571) 2008-07-26 10:49

And thank ... for that! But a fine shot never the less. I like the composition with just one horisontal among the verticals. Good B&W-job.

Galeota (10329) 2008-07-26 10:51

Mr Janovski...dear Robi. It has been a few months since I last commented around here. I am then glad to be back to stumble on an instant favourite. Best. Gal.

Photo65Net (43084) 2008-07-26 15:04

Robert,
Super catch !
Your BW is great too, I like a lot the result in this one.
Regards,
JB.

mydrjoe (1240) 2008-07-26 16:21

Brilliant composition. Very difficult to say so much with so few elements. Admirable photo work. Congratulations!

Regards,
JR

feather (49848) 2008-07-28 8:54

You do like to be controversial Robi. I reckon that if both tobacco and alcohol were recent discoveries they would be classified drugs. This image makes your point eloquently without words. Good use of B&W with a light toning.
Kath

burGu (4528) 2008-07-28 10:39

Hi Robert,
A similar law was introduced in my country, too. A "legal" facility is now forbidden to everyone almost everywhere. There are some limited places where it is allowed to smoke, but they will be also forbidden in a year. Even though I am not a smoker and I am usually disturbed by cigarette smokes, I really feel bad for smokers. This must be people's choice to smoke or not, they shouldn't be forced to... And your photo is excellent for law from smokers' point of view. Btw are you a smoker? :) Grains and B&W work out so well in this compo... Congrats,
Burcu

LamCam (3603) 2008-07-29 12:48

Hello Robi,
Very effective treatment of this subject - brings us, wittily, straight to the point!
Well seen, and executed.
Best wishes...Maggie

ben4321 (9781) 2008-08-02 14:39

After mentioning my DOF niggles with that other shot, I come to this one - the depth of focus here is perfectly judged. I love the way that hand and the fag stand out from that sea of blur. Good placement of the hand within the frame as well.
Good work Rob.

Cheers,
Ben

Manamo (3466) 2008-08-05 7:13

Although I knew your name, I don't think I ever took the time to really go through your gallery. I'm seriously impressed by the quality of the presentations, the ideas in each pictures and the quality of photography.I saw this one when you posted it so it's the first one I'll critique.

We have the same law in Canada, and I think it appeared 2 years ago. I say I think because I'm not a smoker, so I did not really pay attention.

It would have been so nice to have people walking in your direction, ideally with dark clothes to give good contrast. It would have added a whole new dimension and opened the way for new interpretations. But I know, the moment was short and you had to take it...I'm just thinking out loud. The treatment is really good.

I don't think you should say endangered species...I don't think that encouraging people to stop putting their life in danger is making them endangered. Smokers are still free to smoke, it's just that now they can't oblige non-smokers to suffer from the smoke. I know this is controversial and that my idea is a bit firm on the subject and I read that you are a smoker, so I hope you don't mind my opinion.

Cheers!

Marc

marietom (31768) 2008-08-06 1:25

hello Robert,

Excellente composition, avec cette main sortie d'on ne sait où ! Belle utilisation du noir et blanc.
Bonne journée
Marie

michiels (4170) 2008-08-07 5:29

hello Roby,

very nice and simple compo. the grain is very good here. minimalistic shot.
greetings, inn

maria (2712) 2008-08-14 12:34

Hi Robi,
SUPERB COMPOSITION. Love it, love it, love it, love it.......
So quintessentially thought and created.
Regards,
Maria