Up In Smoke

[DanOstergren23 8]

I have been friends with this guy on social media for about three years without ever having actually met him, and almost no interactions between us in that time other than liking each other's posts here and there. I initially saw him post in a very large facebook group called "The Cigarette Really Pulls The Look Together" about three years ago, and decided I would send him a friend request then because he looked interesting enough for me to want to photograph him, and he also happened to live in Portland Oregon. I myself don't smoke cigarettes or partake in tobacco products other than a very rare puff on a cigar at a celebration, if a friend happens to have one, but I have always been drawn to the look of the smoker for some reason, hence why I was in the group. Anyways, after several years of being facebook friends but never really chatting, I recently finally asked him if he would be interested in letting me take his portraits, to which he agreed. The premise was to have him wear something he liked that was also something he'd normally wear on a day-to-day basis, and just be himself for the camera, so unsurprisingly the first thing he did was light up a cigarette.

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[terri31 2]

These are superb! Yes, you have succeeded in making the cigarette, as well as the smoke, an integral part of the portrait. Without this element, they'd still be good portraits, but the smoke is a subtle star in a couple of them.

#2 is brilliant - the use of the window is perfectly executed. The first one is a wonderful portrait, he just happens to have a cigarette dangling there.

Your friend also helped by selecting a terrific hoodie - the design happens to work so well with the smoke. I'm sure he's delighted with these!

 

[Wildcats160]

I like 1 and 2, but #1 really stands out as my favorite. You managed to capture a very gritty mood that reminds me of urban life in the 90s.

 

[DanOstergren23 8]

These are superb! Yes, you have succeeded in making the cigarette, as well as the smoke, an integral part of the portrait. Without this element, they'd still be good portraits, but the smoke is a subtle star in a couple of them.

#2 is brilliant - the use of the window is perfectly executed. The first one is a wonderful portrait, he just happens to have a cigarette dangling there.

Your friend also helped by selecting a terrific hoodie - the design happens to work so well with the smoke. I'm sure he's delighted with these!

Thank you Terri! #2 is a particular favorite of mine as well. It's kind of silly while also having some intensity, at least to me.
I agree, I love the hoodie and the way in plays into these shots and helps express his personality. Band merch is a huge addiction of mine, particularly with Hardcore, Post-hardcore, and various subgenres of metal, so it makes me love these photos even more.

 

[DanOstergren23 8]

I like 1 and 2, but #1 really stands out as my favorite. You managed to capture a very gritty mood that reminds me of urban life in the 90s.

Thank you so much!

 

[Black_Square]

Great shots Dan! The B&W work really well - the editing is spot on. A lovely film look. Great to see the shop window lighting technique back again. I absolute love this! So much more freedom and creativity working what the city gives you.

 

[DanOstergren23 8]

Great shots Dan! The B&W work really well - the editing is spot on. A lovely film look. Great to see the shop window lighting technique back again. I absolute love this! So much more freedom and creativity working what the city gives you.

Thank you so much man.

 

[terri31 2]

Nominated #2 for the April POTM!

 

[Tinstafl113 109]

I like these a lot. I don’t have too many smoking shots as the studios usually frown on it. I hope to do one with bubbles. Smoke and blow a bubble and video it popping