Some Smokin' Photos...

Though I've never been a fan of cigarettes or the smell of cigarette smoke, I do have to admit that (and please don't think that I'm creepy in saying this) that I'm absolutely fascinated by people who do smoke, and that I am often quite captivated by the appearance of people as they are smoking.

Please understand that this is not an endorsement of cigarette smoking. Anything but... I'm merely acknowledging a certain fascination of mine -- a fascination that (on occasion) has led towards some pretty decent photographs.



It's likely that a fair amount of my smoking fascination stems from the fact that both of my parents -- along with all of my aunts and uncles -- were and/or are relatively heavy smokers. As a child, I probably inhaled enough second hand smoke to choke a horse, and so I've never really had any desire to take up the habit. On the other hand -- while growing up -- I do remember being practically mesmerized at times with the way that my family members and relatives appeared as they were smoking, and I can distinctly recall one Summer evening in Northern Michigan (waaaaaaaay back in the early '70s) where my parents were sitting on the porch of our house, backlit by the setting sun, chain smoking furiously, and being surrounded by the most amazing streamers of swirling smoke imaginable. It was almost like some sort of CGI effect (this was waaaaaaaay before CGI), and in my head I can bring back the mental image almost as if l were looking at a photograph.

The amateur psychologist in me knows that what happens in childhood often leads towards paths, directions and habits later on in life, and it's probably fair to say that all of my formative years around smokers has led to my continuing fascination with people who smoke. At the same time, the professional photographer in me knows that present day habits and interests often lead towards subjects matters worthy of an image and -- myself -- I'm always looking for subject matters and people worthy of an image



A personal project that I've been working on in my spare time involves (and this should come as no surprise to anyone reading this post) people smoking.

Lots of people smoking.

Basically, as many people as I can find who are willing to be photographed smoking.

Interestingly, despite my fascination with cigarette smoking, I know relatively few people who actually engage in the habit, and so I've actually had to put a fair amount of time and effort into actively seeking out smokers. What this typically involves is my hanging out in some local bar or tavern, waiting for people to get loosened up a bit, waiting for myself to get loosened up a bit, and then -- if someone should fire up a smoke -- asking if I can take their picture. Amazingly (though not surprisingly), people who've been drinking alcohol really don't seem to mind having their picture taken.



Let me acknowledge that -- yes -- this is easily one of the oddest postings to go up on the blogsite, and quite a bit out of character with my typical writings. At the same time, my reasons for posting this article are fairly straightforward and simple. Aside from the fact that I get to upload some images that I think are fairly decent (it is MY blog after all), I would also hope that you (the reader) might also think about an interest or hobby that you have (please, nothing too creepy) and then see if you can use that interest to create a personal project of your own.

Personal projects are a great way of getting out of creative ruts and -- at the very least -- an opportunity to explore different looks, lighting set-ups, and Photoshop techniques without having a line-up of clients looking over the shoulder. Anything and everything goes with personal projects, and eventually, the skills learned on a personal project always (and I do mean ALWAYS) transfer over to the gigs that pay the bills.



Sooooooo... What key technique do I take away from my smokin' personal project?

Hmmmm... Not sure.

But I can guarantee that -- eventually -- some skill that I've sharpened while taking these photos will find their way into my everyday work. At the same time, I've met some extremely interesting people, visited some cool bars and taverns, and come up with a collection of images that I'm actually quite pleased with.

Matt

P.S.: If you have any desire or willingness to be photographed while smoking (and you live here in the Portland area), please, feel free to give me a shout.

P.S.S.: The image at the very top of this posting? Taken at the Makaibari Tea Estate in beautiful Kurseong, India.

P.P.S.S.: All the other images? Shot here in Portland.

P.P.P.S.S.: Another one of my fascinations? Well, I've gotta' admit, I really like tattoos... And myself, I'd have a whole bunch of them if it weren't for the fact that I'm allergic to tattoo ink (found out via an emergency room visit after a two hour inking session).