Stress and a Cigarette

Very nice composition. Emotive piece as well

Gorgeous mix of textures! I am totally engaged thanks to your wonderful, sensative observation and technique.

ha – just saw sally’s comment above – I was thinking looks like he could use a handjob, still maybe he is…oh dear, here I go again….lowering the tone – ok off I go before I totally fuck it up….love this shot Helen!

Wow! outstanding Helen!

very interesting capture, helen. love the mood and texture of the wall, and the fact that the photo is b&w

Is this a capture or staged?

The wall really intensifies the stressful mood.

If posed, you really captured the essence…

If it’s a snap shot, you nailed it.

Composition, story line, mood, and perfect lights and contrast.

Your work should be making you lots of money.

Not that cash is what it is all about.

But it probably is for this guy.

Sam Dantone

Fabulous use of negative space Helen, and the contrasty conversion just made this pop out off the thumbnail.
An emotive narrative piece that has me wondering, did his gal leave him or did he just loose all his dough in the stock crash?

....lose all his dough! Doh!

Great photograph Helen, you really have captured so much here, and as Marion said, the use of negative space is fabulous, this would be a good choice for the next writing challenge in the friendly discussions group :-)

Real stunner.
Yep, the textured wall and overall cripness makes a great contrast for
a rotten mood.

Marion expressed my first thought before me: Doh!

Great shot Helen really captures the moment..

Only half-captured the moment for me. Had to go outside and have a cigarette to complete the experience. I feel much better now. Except I’m soaking wet.

so evocative !

Aaron, you make me hoot out loud and I woke up my dog!!! This image is brilliant for its composition, and I felt great compassion for him…. I hate seeing people in pain. I want to fix them. Gets me into a LOT of trouble sometimes… beautiful capture Helen. Your eyes are wide open.

Poor bugger needs a bex and a lie down !! LOL… Fantastic capture Helen!!! As has been said it really POPS! Instant fave for me – cant help but feel sorry for the guy :(

Great shot…I love cig shots for some reason, they grab me everytime. This is great in its black and white and rawness of emotion

True that!!! :)

Very emotive shot…...great composition too! love this in B&W.

fantastic shot Helen,,, very much a sign of the times at the moment,,, powerful mood,, well done

nice composition and tone Helen, very well done

Fabulous! Love it! Love the texture of the wall, the off centre composition, and, of course, the emotion you’ve captured.

G’day HMB!

Been there – felt like that. “The Little Book of Calm” is what is needed here! 8-)
The strong verticals of the background being in such proximity to the subject only add to the emotion you have caught here – and caught it well.
A fine B&W with crisp whites, deep blacks and nice tones, very good contrast and spot on focus.
A strong composition with the subject being “pushed to the edge”.
Powerful viewing.

GB
Dennis

oh this is just so great…. I so relate to this image… so very human… lovely observation …. well done

A great shot Helen , he certainly doesn’t look very happy. x

great capture

The building is brutal too!

or he had a headache… great capture!

I love everything about this piece ..wow

Amazing shot Helen!

Rings all my bells!!!!!

Excellent work!!

Ooooh…good strong tones in this. :)
Stronger than your other B&W’s, for the most part-
it really jumps out! :) I’m guessing he was walking?
If so, it’s pretty darn clear, considering. Good one. :)

full of feeling ~ well done portrait that speaks to your title ~ love when an image tells a story like this xx

A most BRILLIANT capture here…it can inspire so many stories! Outstanding.

Quite an introduction to your work, the image says so much, excellent photography.

Fantastic!

love the image

such emotion in this shot! great work.

Aw, the poor guy!!! I hope things got better for him!!! Great candid shot!!

Such a powerful shot, love it with the vertical lines as the backdrop. Well done lass.

Stress, personified.

an excellent study.

a great capture..feel the pressure….tah

Classy shot..

what a great job

Awesome! I love how you caught him against the rough texture of the wall. It just yells “stress”.
Brilliant image Helen!

Haha, they are my stress relief!!! But really, this is a fantastic emotive portrait Helen! Bravo on this!!!

Excellent!

Cute too..Love this one, Helen…

I love the emotion in this.
Your tones and clarity are spot on.
The texture of the wall helps to offset the placement of the subject.
Well done Helen.

I know what to do if I am in this situation. :-)

Superb work, Helen!

it is a mistake that people think cigs relieve stress. in fact they increase stress in the long run. along with all the other ill affects.

this guy looks besides himself. like he just lost a loved one. someone special.

Poor bugger. I wonder what was going on in his life? Great shot.