~ pipe dreamer ~, a photo from Yunnan, Sud

Photographer's Note

He sure needs strong lungs....

An ethnic Monggolian took a breather - the smoking culture that has sunk deep since the middle kingdom in China, using his traditional bamboo pipe for a morning warm up. I loved what I saw especially his posture - a 'kinda of relaxed 'staged' pose before my view finder, his concentration and the setting. Managed a few of him from some distance as he blew out mini cloud of smoke without realising of my presence.

I know that most people will ignore this because they're against smoking, but i love it coz it reflects a lot of personality away in how one smokes and appears like a philosophical - spiritual form of calmness and positively luxuriating in his exhalation isn't he?

Taken at Xinmen grungy low light alley in a small traditional Monggolian village in Tonghai, South Yunnan. The village is made up of very old mud brick houses all are tightly constructed to one another in a very close knit community.

Setting: 70mm, 1/80 sec, F5.6, ISO Raw 200, 0847 hrs

bukitgolfb301, jhm, delpeoples, Cricri, adramad, mcmtanyel trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (220759) 2016-06-10 11:12

Ciso Abmdsudi, fantastic portrait, interesting scene, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

pajaran (115047) 2016-06-10 12:16

Pozdrav.
Interesantan i dobar tekst, lep pogled ...
Dobar rad i kompozicija, dobar kontrast i perspektiva, lepo pokazano mesto i trenutak, lepe boje.
Lepo uhvacen trenutak.
Sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Hello.
Interesting and good text, beautiful view ...
Good work and composition, good contrast and perspective, a nice place and shown a moment, beautiful color.
Beautifully captured the moment.
All the best for the weekend, good luck.
Paja.

Fis2 (169877) 2016-06-10 12:58

Witaj Abmdsudi!
Interesting scene from street.
Excellent frame and composition.
Amazing colors and light.
I like this daily life shot.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

GyurMaster (24682) 2016-06-10 13:22

Dear abmdsudi,

What a candid genre! I really like that you went close to your subject, didn't shoot from the distance. The lights are excellent particularly on the smoke.

best wishes,
Gy.

Charrua (284) 2016-06-10 19:36

Hi Abmdsudi,
I like photos of the daily life of people of different cultures. This is a well captured scene of a Mongolian at the moment of smoking his pipe under difficult lighting conditions. The smoke veiling partially the face produced the right effect.
Ruben

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2016-06-10 23:03

Hi dear Abmdsudi YTH

Great shot so nostalgic and typical China Image as your own originality. Slow shutter speed setting and great exposure could create this so dramatic image as such.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

jemaflor (146412) 2016-06-10 23:27

Hi A,
Interesting scene, good spontaneous effect with the smoke, good light management, tfs.

jhm (211734) 2016-06-11 0:34

Hello Abmdsudi,

This is a specially ritual, but I don't know or this is very healthy, but the man maybe enjoy of the smoke.
Wonderful picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

holmertz (102096) 2016-06-11 2:38

Hello Abmdsudi,
I'm against smoking but I love interesting photos, so who am I to censure my mind to other cultures and others' habits? This makes me think of old stories of opium dens, but I am sure this is ordinary tobacco. The young man is well positioned, crouching in a way that benefits the composition, and with a nice diagonal view of the narrow alley.
Kind regards,
Gert

everlasting (19680) 2016-06-11 2:46

an interesting pipe and well written note. I hate smoking and smokers but smoke often produces atmospheric photos such as you show us here.

Nicou (193806) 2016-06-11 21:47

Hlelo

Et bien unes sacrée pipe quelle fumée sort de ce gros tuyau quelle scène de ce personnage assis dans la rue en train de fumer superbe compo et vue.
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

rychem (72187) 2016-06-11 22:31

An unusual scene, I am against smoking and to me it is a sad scene, someone tries to escape from daily life, well captured with the smoke rising from the pipe
regards Ryszard

delpeoples (60342) 2016-06-12 2:50

Dear Abmdsudi

I don't smoke but adore photos of people smoking, and this photo is a wonderful example. Like you, I adore his stance and the smoke which almost totally obscures his face. There is a real smoking culture in Asia, I recently watched a documentary how large tobacco firms are opening up kiosks outside schools and other places frequented by children. This little smoker looks very young. The only thing about this photo that makes me uncomfortable. Thanks for sharing this part of the history and culture of this country.

Warmest wishes
Lisa

Cricri (176) 2016-06-12 3:41

Hi Abmdsudi
C'est certainement une scène particulière, que je n'ai jamais vue auparavant, bonne prise de la fumée et de la lumière , très belle scène et portrait
best regard
cricri

shreya2000 (2815) 2016-06-12 3:46

Namaste Ab sir,

Very good image with thick contrast. I like the composition with good natural colours. The smoke is hiding the face of the man. I like it.

Regards,

joginder

kasianowak (17672) 2016-06-12 4:42

Hi Abmdsudi
I am against smoking but so what? I am against war too and it doesn't stop me from appreciating good journalism, such as that awarded in World Press Photo competition. I actually love photos of smoke, just like I love photos of fog.
This image is an excellent example of daily/street life documentary, perfectly timed and composed. I like the street in the background creating a line leading into the unknown lurking around the corner. And lurking uknown it must be, such is the power of the mood conveyed by your low key technique.
I'm going to add it to my favs.
Best wishes
Kasia

adramad (72600) 2016-06-12 14:55

Hello Abmdsudi.
A curious and new image for us, we have never seen this gigantic pipe for smoking, I guess his smokable what corresponds to a package, although I suppose that, he smoked at times, is a splendid portrait of this custom as old.
Very nice colorful in tones, very attractive.
Good management brightness and sharpness.
Very well done.
All the best and have a good start to the week.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (67789) 2016-06-13 19:44

Hello Abmdsudi,
I like those puffs of smoke caught in the light. Imho, I would prefer a little more space at the top and bottom of the frame.
Regards,
MT

fabianoleite (13575) 2016-06-14 6:06

Very nice picture, and full of cultural information. And yes, strong lungs are needed. In my twenties I would have enjoyed the idea myself, but anyway it is very interesting. Good work and thanks for sharing!