Let's Smoke It Toronto Photo Gallery by Michael Shpuntov at pbase.com

Let's Smoke It Toronto

Some say it's a bad habit. Others that for many years smokers dominated and caused problem
to non smokers. But I do not think that what Toronto is doing regarding to the people who
decided to live their lives in their own way is right. They can't smoke in buildings, pubs,
bars. They even can't smoke within 9 meters from the building entrances.
So before last smoker in Toronto puff his cigarette, I've decided to take some photographs
of these people, living their way, against all obstacles and difficulties they facing these days.
Please note that this gallery is not a political statement of any kind, it's photographic study
of the people's body language and expressions, their concentration and relaxation at the same time.

If you like or dislike the gallery please don't forget to leave a comment. I'm intended to show all of them.
If you like it please don't forget to vote, to make it visible to other people as well.

comment

David Yu		05-Jun-2008 05:46
That is a very interesting candid shot gallery of many smokers.

John		03-May-2008 20:11
Well Michael, for starters I voted for this great Idea, Holy Smoke so too speak. :) Again I viewed them all (many people only have a peek a the recent upload) and I must say I'm impressed by the variaty (spelled ok?). Wonderful document. From July first 2008 here in Holland smoking in bar's, cafés and restaurants will be forbidden too. BTW I'm a smoker (with a deep urge for quitting) Cheers mate

Denise J. Johnson		09-Apr-2008 15:25
Great gallery! I love watching people smoke. Everyone has his/her own finesse about holding and drawing and blowing. Nice job! Do more!

Dan Chusid		09-Apr-2008 01:23
Came back (cough!) for another peek (cough!). I thought by now (cough!) you'd have put in a fan!

Meggi Raeder		14-Mar-2008 00:53
Mickael, your candid images are such wonderful captures of slices of life - in this gallery and others. Congratulations for developing such good eye for the beauty in every day scenes. Very good work. Meggi

Guest		25-Feb-2008 21:42
I applaud you for looking outside the box!!! While others wouldn't even think twice about chosing subject matter that is deemed controversial, why I don't know, you have put together a wonderful gallery of a part of real life that will be with us until the sun implodes and smokes this planet like a huge cigarette :o) Ashes to ashes...dust to dust...nomatter if you smoke or not that's the end result :oP Thanks for sharing your view through the lens and Metta To You Forever And A Day!!!

John Potter		15-Feb-2008 16:02
Great Offbeat Gallery Michael!!!

coolratan		11-Feb-2008 18:29
Smoke in air, amazing burning hearts!

Guest		26-Jan-2008 00:32
Smoking is a really bad habit people who soke are stupid idiets.

two k		25-Jan-2008 02:42
being a smoker for more than 40 years, i'm glad that you didn't make it a political statement. in that same time, smoking moved from being socially acceptable to the other extereme to social outcasts. in these photos i see the isolation that smoker have to endure from 'popular' society...in relationship to their appearance, they look like everyone else, so, if there is such a cry for political correctness..then let it start here as these same people are family, friends, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. i've read the comments left on this board and found them the mix of pro's and con's, and even some with regret and loss. you have a good collection of emotional photo editorials a tribute to man. two k

Guest		11-Jan-2008 20:09
Shall we call this a 'dying breed'? Sorry... I couldn't resist :-P Good work Michael.

Guest		29-Dec-2007 14:38
colourful gallery. Lovely.

Guest		22-Dec-2007 01:01
It was really really an awesome gallery and I guess I visited like thousand times now. The expressions the color composition the people thier feelings awesome fabulous and amazing. It has the pure coincidence of people smoking and blend of feelings. I really cant express with words. Just "Amazing"

Dennis Hoyne		12-Dec-2007 05:26
Well done, a great galley, I suppose in the future we'll only see people smoking in the great old movies.

Guest		10-Dec-2007 20:33
What a great gallery. I really liked it . Did you ask that people while shooting them?

Yves Pinsonneault. Photographe		06-Dec-2007 03:19
I still can't believe that people smoke these days knowing what it does to their systems as well as to the systems of others ... I will tolerate smoking when they create an odourless smoke meanwhile, I applaude to what I see. Smokers are the worse polluters there are, dumping their ashes anywhere, throwing their buts in lakes, rivers, on the street and I am not going to start on the pollution by the smoke itself. A long time ago, I decided that my environement was going to be smoke free. I am happy to give this example to my daughter who dispises smoking as well at the young age of 7. I can understand that it is a drug, a very bad one mind you and it is not the least easy to quit (for those who would like to). I have not asked to breathe second hand smoke and when I see parents smoking with kids in their cars, I can be encouraging this. My mother lost half of a lung to cancer because of that bad habit, she is on remission. Go ask her if she wants to smoke one right now ... Smokers also suffer from the lack of two important natural senses, taste and smell, no wonder why they keep smoking even if they stink. Of course, it is just my opinion, it is not meant to change anybody's way of living their life ...

Raymond		05-Dec-2007 22:08
Whoa... this gallery took my breath away !

Mike Thorneburg		04-Dec-2007 05:38
Good group. Nice selection of background/foreground color contrast in the color shots. Excellent depth and very interesting subject selection in the BW. Curious that most people don't seem to really be enjoying their smokes, just sort of casually passing time. I wonder if they'll miss this particular bit if freedom it it vanishes entirely.

PauloCGama		04-Dec-2007 00:10
BRAVO!

Guest		02-Dec-2007 23:52
Great gallery! Makes me want a cigarette, but since I have been quit for 3 months now, I will decline. While I was trying to quit smoking, Enny (below) was there for me, ripping me a new one the whole way. She did make me laugh. My husband still smokes. I don't get onto him to quit smoking though. That's his decision and he needs to do it for himself and no one else. It is really hard to do.

Guest		02-Dec-2007 09:56
A great gallery for losing weight,as you can see in cancer patients, you don't like that may be you will get COPD ,you will be out of breath constantly, ending in a wheelchair and you will become fat, you don't like that too, take a shot, you're not hungry anymore.

Martha Albuquerque		01-Dec-2007 15:55
Michael, congrats! this gallery is awesome! gmv~

Guy Dube		01-Dec-2007 15:23
A very good idea this galery on smoking, I like it a lot and you have a lot of good shots in it, a big Vote Michael for your very impressive work here!

Guest		01-Dec-2007 12:20
For 41 years, kissing my wife was like licking an ashtray. In 1999, I had a heart attack and my doctor told her she shouldn't smoke around me. She lit up in the car on the way home. For 41 years we had to eat in the smoking sections of restaurants, because she couldn't go 30 minutes without a smoke. Cancer came and took her two years ago. I look at your gallery, and I see beautiful women. Beautiful women turned ugly because of a powerful drug in the form of a little white stick. My sweetheart couldn't break the habit. I miss her every day.

Mike Lentz Nature Photography		01-Dec-2007 03:51
The nastiest habit I've ever had to unfortunately be around... A great study into the faces of future cancer patients. Nice candids by the way.

lovebobo1314		01-Dec-2007 03:21
I don't like smoking and I hate smoker who distracts others in public. Nevertheless, from a photolover's point of view, this is a great gallery on this issue. GMV

Guest		01-Dec-2007 00:10
Marvelous..a whole gallery of people on thier way towards getting cancer,and giving it to others as well..Yes,a"splendid"idea..Why not give a a galley of crack-pipe use next,or how about heroin use...nothing beats a collection of pictures of addicts shooting up..

jeff		30-Nov-2007 21:47
Despite my personal feelings regarding cigarette smoke, it's a nice example of a very specific photo assignment.

Gervan		30-Nov-2007 18:32
Yes, I like smoking and I like this gallery. V.

DonHarris		30-Nov-2007 18:23
Great series ! I like people shots. I quit smoking in '71, so I guess I've saved enough to buy a new camera :)

lenny boy		30-Nov-2007 15:40
Nothing like a pretty girl with a cigarette. Don't smoke myself but sure adds to their mystique and sexiness.

Guest		30-Nov-2007 12:42
ahhhh....remember in the past century when I smoked in the filghts....Now it seems Science Fiction... Great gallery.

Guest		30-Nov-2007 03:39
Great gallery! I'm a smoker and found your shots fascinating.

Louise Chevalier		29-Nov-2007 02:12
No need to ask them to jump up in the air, for them to be at their natural!... Bravo.

SOULFUL IMPRESSIONS		28-Nov-2007 20:05
nobody is smokin the left handed smokes

Michel CORBOZ		28-Nov-2007 14:35
Great idea ! well done ! V

Steve Highfield		28-Nov-2007 12:08
There's nothing more I enjoy than having a smoke in one hand, a takeout coffee in the other and my camera set up on a tripod ready to start shooting. Can't beat it. Well done with these shots Michael.

Guest		28-Nov-2007 12:04
ANOTHER great gallery, Michael. When do you find time for the rest of your life? FWIW I prefer the shots where the subject has a cigarette (or a cigar!!) actually 'in action', rather than a small detail. Where you have a head-shot and a ciggy together, you have the most powerful image. But great stuff.

Guest		28-Nov-2007 04:17
I love seeing all the different ways people hold their smokes... I think it's a brillant gallery.... voted!

Charles Lasnier		28-Nov-2007 03:35
Well shot, on a sensitive subject.

Barry Ailetcher		28-Nov-2007 02:47
YOU do some good work Ii always like t o look at your gallerys you put a lot into your work and it shows. Barry A

Mostafa Moftah		28-Nov-2007 00:10
Wonderful gallery Michael, love the concept 'cause every cigarette always have many expressions.. ~Voted~

viljamix		27-Nov-2007 20:15
A great gallery of a disgusting habit.

Kim Aston		27-Nov-2007 19:01
Being 19 years smoke free, this gallery is a very strong reminder of just how unattractive a habit it is. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to be thankful for quitting!

Guest		27-Nov-2007 12:11
An insight into daily life for many, great work, Michael!

firstbrook		27-Nov-2007 10:08
Just SMOKING..........just another example of the world gone mad.......ok it does not appeal to some people....but these people have the right to do what they want....they are free people.....will they ban alcohol next........more people die or have there lives ruined by alcohol than cigarettes.......apparently you have to have special qualifications to put up Christmas decorations now!!!!!........and they are cutting down trees in our parks......just in case a branch may fall on someone's head......but you have done a good job of recording the smokers of Toronto.......well done

Guest		27-Nov-2007 04:17
Great idea for a theme; you've included some very good environmental portraits.

Guest		27-Nov-2007 01:33
Great Gallery, in order to tell , loud and clear , we, smokers or no smokes, we are supposed to have rights. I hate those fanatic streams of fallacious opinions , saying smoke kill. I`m a no smoker , but I have the right to smoke, if I fancy, to kill myself with a cancer or not. I do not drink any alcohol at all. Because I do not like .USA did try to ban alcohol withe known effect. I am seriously fed up with governments, sort o Big Brother , instead of doing their job, spend their time harassing us with petty decisions, with no scientific prove, just by "...we believe..." I strongly believe is time to ask for less government, better government. Regards jorge

Guest		26-Nov-2007 22:32
Great gallery idea and real nice candids. Ah've smoked since teens an whilst ah respect folks rights not to have their food polluted, people should be given the choice - There should be smokin and non smokin bars & restaurants in every town & city. Then we'll see which goes outa business first! The only reason Governments care bout smokin is that we now live in a "litigation culture" an nothin to do with our well-bein! (that should stir things up a bit!) Mike :o)

virginiacoastline		26-Nov-2007 03:44
very interesting gallery, Michael . . . and from you I'd expect nothing less

Guest		26-Nov-2007 03:05
Too hot !

william mahan		25-Nov-2007 22:46
Let's say you reinforced my belief about this terrible addiction. However the gallery tells it like it is and your photography reminds us...good job!

routerer		25-Nov-2007 19:03
I don't believe cigarettes cause cancer. After all, everyone smoked 50 years ago and cancer was unheard of...! john.

PAPITO		25-Nov-2007 03:52
I was a smoker for 30 years. I kicked the habit in 1994. How I did it was just pure self descipline. Every day, I throw away one stick of cigarette from the pack. It went like this: On the 1st day - 1 stick; on the 2nd day - 2 sticks; on the 3rd day - 3 sticks, until I reached the twentieth day when I threw away the whole pack. It was not easy doing it but I did and ever since I have not smoked a single stick of cigarette. I think people should give it a try. Good Luck! Deo

Heidi and Ulrich Burkhalter		25-Nov-2007 03:49
I love this gallery, I'm not a smoker but I' really put off by the hypocritical arrogance of the non smoking comunity and what they put the smoker through. And then the verry same people go in their non smoking space of the restaurant and get drunk on alcohol..... if you fight one vice then fight them all.....

Sabine Stetson		25-Nov-2007 01:27
truely smoking gallery....phantastic....i grew up in times where everybody smoked, it was like drinking coffee today (but cheaper) cancer was unheard of.....times/societies are ever changing....maybe one day soon in the future meat eaters will be shunned or have to pay extra taxes ...the scape goat a la mode will be found in order to make the opposing party feel a tad superior ....:) meanwhile - suum cuique (cicero)...to each and every one their own.... v

Guest		24-Nov-2007 21:40
i thought smoking was banned on the streets in ontario!!!!!!

BleuEvanescence		24-Nov-2007 17:10
Ehm.... ...and perhaps one day, like for the Neanderthals, if some avanced civilisation finds this, they will try to understand that barbarian rite... hihhihiiii(lol), i am so happy i have never even smoke one cigarette in my life! But this gallery is... exquisite for its originality and quality... It is indeed not a race but a HABIT, hopefully on the verge of extinction....

Digital Photography Forum		24-Nov-2007 15:16
Cracking gallery Michael. Great idea and very interesting photos. Keep it comimg. Vote. Alan

Babak M		23-Nov-2007 09:57
Nice Shots Thanks

Eldar Kadymov		23-Nov-2007 09:21
"Holy smokes" was never so intense until Mike launched it right up to the skies ! V

Michael Shpuntov		23-Nov-2007 01:35
Gordon, I'm kind of confuse. You non-smokers were sitting in the smoking area. Is that right? So who was in whose space? Smokers in yours or you in smokers? :-) This is exactly what is happening. Thanks for the comment by the way.

Guest		22-Nov-2007 16:51
Very nice pictures, You did a very fine job. My wife and I went to our favorite Italian restaurant last night. The no Smoking area was full. The smoking area was empty. I thought we would take a chance. Even before our food got there three table of smokers came and lit up. We asked to be moved to tables in the no smoking area. The smoker should have NOT been allowed to light up in our presence. They can wait until they leave. I expressed our displeasure to the Owner ( he is a smoker) Nothing will come of it I know. Smoke all you want I don't care, just don't exhale it in my air space. As far as all of the other air pollutants some is working on that. Honest to God please smoke all you want. Just not in my space.

Ren� Lortie		22-Nov-2007 02:24
Excellent feature gallery. Love your theme and agree with your introduction, even if I don't smoke. In a way, they all contribute to our well being with their big taxes contributions. ;-)

Birte Person		22-Nov-2007 02:19
Well if its so bad, how about the crap we breathe in every time we take a breath.How about the pollution from planes , cars ect ect, how about the crap they put in our food.To these do gooders that want it banned,I say lets all die happy, is,nt this supposed to be a free world, apparently not!!!!!!!!

Walter Otto Koenig		21-Nov-2007 03:28
Big vote from me for the species that may be extinct soon and of course your photos. I smoked for 25 years and loved it, but then I've quit for 12 years now and feel really great, well, better, anyway, great job. Carry on. Best Wishes, Walter

Alex Uch�a		21-Nov-2007 00:57
creative and well executed. V!

monil		20-Nov-2007 23:32
A very good idea. v

Ashley Hockenberry		20-Nov-2007 21:09
Great shots

PUFFER		20-Nov-2007 21:08
THEY ARE ALL A BUNCH OF EFFING SUICIDAL IDIOTS. THEY WILL DIE OF CANCER AND WILL BE SUCH A DRAG ON THE MEDICAL WORLD!

Guenter Eh		20-Nov-2007 19:31
Great idea for an own gallery - excellent captures of a minority!

Paco L�pez		20-Nov-2007 07:13
Excellent gallery!!!!!!!! I love it. VOTE!!

Guest		20-Nov-2007 06:14
What a perfect theme! look at their faces and attitudes All subjects are serene and regenerating Beautiful Talal

Dan Chusid		20-Nov-2007 05:11
If I only had a dollar for every cigarette I haven't smoked...

Guest		20-Nov-2007 03:04
Winston Churchill smoked cigars until his premature death at age 90. May we all be so fortunate.

astaff		20-Nov-2007 01:30
good. i love them all. america is doing the same thing... smoke'm up.

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