The Pause That Refreshes: Street photography is not my forte but I occasionally come upon an opportunity. This shot presented itself unexpectedly while I was photographing behind a...

John Lawrence

Street photography is not my forte but I occasionally come upon an opportunity. This shot presented itself unexpectedly while I was photographing behind a church today. This gentleman seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his smoke so I grabbed two quick shots. Almost makes you want to light one up, doesn't it?

In Comes the Smoke

Out Goes the Tension

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

Yuck! No way! Wait for it, wait for it, THE COUGH!

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

John Lawrence wrote:

Street photography is not my forte but I occasionally come upon an opportunity. This shot presented itself unexpectedly while I was photographing behind a church today. This gentleman seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his smoke so I grabbed two quick shots. Almost makes you want to light one up, doesn't it?

Your title is a bit disturbing, and no it does not make me want to "light one up". People putting their health at risk for so many known illnesses and diseases makes me sick. I've lost more than one loved one to lung cancer directly related to smoking that I can't enjoy this photo one bit. If this was the intended reaction, then good job; I think you captured it well, and your title was very effective. :-)

GWR100 Loc: England

Interesting and subjective set John, Just think, if he kicked the habit he could buy a decent Camera?????

Geoff

John Lawrence wrote:

Street photography is not my forte but I occasionally come upon an opportunity. This shot presented itself unexpectedly while I was photographing behind a church today. This gentleman seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his smoke so I grabbed two quick shots. Almost makes you want to light one up, doesn't it?

John Lawrence

mdorn wrote:

Your title is a bit disturbing, and no it does not make me want to "light one up". People putting their health at risk for so many known illnesses and diseases makes me sick. I've lost more than one loved one to lung cancer directly related to smoking that I can't enjoy this photo one bit. If this was the intended reaction, then good job; I think you captured it well, and your title was very effective. :-)

When I come upon a picture I don't like, I simply pass it. I've noticed on a number of your comments that you prefer to deliver sermons. You don't care for my picture and I don't care for your sermons. Let's just go our separate ways and leave it there.

John Lawrence

GWR100 wrote:

Interesting and subjective set John, Just think, if he kicked the habit he could buy a decent Camera?????

Geoff

I don't think street photography is meant to judge the lifestyle or the habits of the subject, Geoff. It's simply an honest depiction of what is.

John Lawrence

Photo Girl wrote:

Yuck! No way! Wait for it, wait for it, THE COUGH!

You're right, Photo Girl. Thanks for looking.

GWR100 Loc: England

You are right John, My quip was not a condemnation of your subject, just a light hearted comment in jest, and in no way intended to reflect on your work. I apologise if you were offended.

Geoff

John Lawrence wrote:

I don't think street photography is meant to judge the lifestyle or the habits of the subject, Geoff. It's simply an honest depiction of what is.

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

I packed up the weed lots of years ago John, but I still "get the urge" when I smell it. Your shots show a man at peace with the world even though his breath smells..his lungs are poisoned and he is constantly out of breath and money...glad i packed it up now.

John Lawrence

Doddy wrote:

I packed up the weed lots of years ago John, but I still "get the urge" when I smell it. Your shots show a man at peace with the world even though his breath smells..his lungs are poisoned and he is constantly out of breath and money...glad i packed it up now.

Thanks for your comment, Doddy. I'm also an ex-smoker and glad of it. For many people, cigarettes still represent their idea of being happy. That's what I was trying to depict in this picture. I guess I should forget about posting my pictures of people eating cheeseburgers and fries at McDonalds.

John

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

:D my question is..........is it a cig, or is it a joint ?? hehe

I think they are interesting shot's...oh and I lost my Dad to smoking, he did it for some 58 yrs. and died from emphysema....do your photo's bother me?? no....these are all choice's that we make, to view your photo, to smoke, to make nice comment's , rude comment's, it's called "freedom"...whether right OR wrong

John Lawrence

Tom DePuy wrote:

:D my question is..........is it a cig, or is it a joint ?? hehe

I didn't think about that, Tom, but it's certainly a reasonable question. Thank you for looking and commenting.

Regarding your views on freedom to choose, I certainly agree with you. For my part, I choose to have nothing to do with rude or negative people. You are not one of them so I welcome your comments.

SunnyDee Loc: New Hampshire

I'm not a smoker nor would I advocate it. But I do like how you captured the smoke coming out.

John Lawrence

SunnyDee wrote:

I'm not a smoker nor would I advocate it. But I do like how you captured the smoke coming out.

Thank you, Sunny Dee. As I said above, I don't think street photography is meant to judge the lifestyle choices of the subject. It simply presents the reality of what is. Thanks for looking and commenting.

Nightski

John Lawrence wrote:

Street photography is not my forte but I occasionally come upon an opportunity. This shot presented itself unexpectedly while I was photographing behind a church today. This gentleman seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his smoke so I grabbed two quick shots. Almost makes you want to light one up, doesn't it?

Nope!