Original Art Photography Series by @velimir #191 'Sadness Of Ash'

in art •  7 years ago  (edited)

'Sadness Of Ash'


Sad, eh? Yes, it is...

People tend to reach for a cigarette for many reasons. None of them is reasonably justified but such are we. Our impulses still rule over us and the feeling of 'need' or 'want' is what wins over our rational thoughts. This is why people smoke. Believe it or not, that impulse is 'groomed' in people. Before it was done with the help of commercials and beautiful ads of cowboys and horses running in the open plains, today is more of chemicals additives they add to your tobacco as to make you more addicted. If you need to smoke, home-grown pesticide and additives free tobacco is the way to play that game. Bear in mind that it is prohibited to grow your own in most parts of the world... I wonder why...

Let's take a look a the photo at hand. The outside world is blurred and partially hidden but the ashtray is focused and very real. The dark but hardly noticeable pastel colours spread over large areas. They create a heavy, almost unbearable feeling of desperation which is undeniable. The clear view is denied by horizontal lines and this subsequently creates frustration. Notice the disbalance in the composition. The ashtray is positioned too much to the right and the dark and light areas are out of balance with each other. This is what creates the 'unwanted off feeling'. If I wanted a perfect composition, I'd compose this differently. I'd raise the frame, diminish the dark at the bottom and position the ashtray little more to the left. Can you see the difference if you paint this in your mind? So, this is a perfect example of when deliberately unperfect composition makes perfect sense.

The overall atmosphere is dark, moody, sombre, sad, heavy. You name it. So is the need to smoke. What saddens me the most is to see teenagers smoke. Young future moms and dads destroying their bodies, genes and health with an awful habit. Alcohol usually goes along with that flow and the receipt for trouble is right at hand.

I remember a guy who told a young girl, sitting at a table beside us: "So I see that yo're really sorry for breathing the clean air..." She didn't say anything but I'm sure that her mind, underneath the 'who cares' pose, took the message. ;) My line is: "You know, when you are the most certain that you're smoking a cigarette, the cigarette, actually, smokes you." :D

Enjoy fresh air and never let some bastard sitting in a boardroom of a huge tobacco company laugh at you because you make him richer day by day while destroying your own health!



©2018 Velimir Kovačić All rights reserved.



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Our impulses still rule over us and the feeling of 'need' or 'want' is what wins over our rational thoughts. This is why people smoke.

I absolutely agree! Thanks for describing the picture. It was way too simple to appreciate until you explained why the picture works and the story behind it.

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

Yep, I believe that art must be explained. A "not understood artist" is a dogma of the past. All that talk about "art talks for itself" is bull, imho. Someone always needs to explain it, be it a critic, historian, artist or a casual bystander. This far we don't read minds. ;)

How about we look at it this way. Sometimes explaining Art deprives one the benefit of thinking out a more self soothing compliment. I am deprived of feeling 'my own way' about the picture because you have explained 'your own way' of looking at the picture. But again, if nothing is said of a picture by anyone, we do not really understand the effect it leaves in our individual minds. We see in parts and so we must all speak our view? Thanks for the beautiful explanation by the way. And the way you illustrated the relationship with the art of smoking is .... Thanks again!

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

It was $333.33 when I upvoted.

IMG_1603.jpg

*art by me @nmf-ii

This dude rules the art/photography upvote every post I swear..

That is a heck of an anti smoking ad. I like the poetic descriptions you have along with your photos. You live in Croatia right? I am curious if you have lived in an English speaking country before because your English is on point.

I lived in a few countries. Never in England. But I've frequented London on several occasions. I like the Isle :)

I end up reading his post more than twice just to get a handle of his Expression. I like the relationship his words keep. They go hand in hand with none leaving anyone behind. Thanks.

leads to sad thoughts

I think that all people have dependence. Someone is addicted to thrill and engaged in extreme sports. Someone is dependent on computer games ... there are people who are addicted to other people. But smoking and alcohol can be called the most ancient dependencies.
They are imposed on us by the society in which we live, are imposed in advertising. In films, successful people often consume alcohol or smoke a cigarette. Adolescents are more likely to advertise, but an adult is no exception.
A photo with meaning and I see it as you described. The external world is in the background, it is as if in a fog. Attention is focused on the ashtray, it is a symbol of human dependence. People concentrate on their addictions and do not notice the world around them. Unfortunately, that's the truth.
But we should not be like people who behave this way. We ourselves are responsible for what we do. So if you want to change the world, start with yourself - show a positive example to others.
Thank you and good night :)

True that, my man. True that!

You have spoken right @frank1in ... I do believe that if we must pick a dependency, it is only wise to pick one that doesn't take us away before we are due to leave.

Wow. Lot's of comments and hardly any mention of the brilliant photograph. So why change the flow?

It's a terrific photo, we both know that. I love it that you come to it from an advertising standpoint. I have studied some of the ways photographs are manipulated (not photoshopped, but set) to achieve certain feelings when marketing a product. You have given a college course level instruction right there.

And I do refuse to allow some boardroom asshat profits off of my body. Instead I prefer that a Dominican WarLord who uses near servant children to roll my cigars make money off of my vice. :)

HAHAHAHHAHAHHA.... man! :D

I'm partially in disagreement with you and, although you may not believe it, I'm not an inveterate smoker.

First I give you all the right in terms of advertising and how entrepreneurs enjoy the misfortune of our lungs through their products. Today the cowboys are left behind and the girls in bikinis show you how "cool" and strangely "refreshing" is smoking, but the reality behind cameras is another.

However, there is something that we cannot deny: without demand there is no offer and everyone chooses how to die (not literal, you understand).

I cannot do like the rest of Steemians who come to the comments just to praise your photograph although they may not understand how much wonder it hides, but I don't consider it appropriate to stick to your position without reservation. Smoking, for some people, represents an escape, a moment alone, a time to think. Are bad? No. Are they idiots? Maybe, but not always. Alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, among other "noble drugs" destroy our organism maybe slower but with the same efficiency. How do we do with the other industries?

For me photography surpasses sadness, maybe that's why I like it so much. The blur of the window is like cigarette smoke that has not yet been smoked. A passageway to reality. The ability to open between colors. The desire to remain calm inside but enjoy the disruptive landscape outside.

Balance? No ... Indeed the photograph is tilted to the right, but: that doesn't force me to see it from another perspective if I turn with it?

I apologize for so much dissertation, I really enjoyed this post and I let myself go. As I always tell you, I thank you for sharing @velimir!

Not at all :) I love your comment. Thank you!
And you're right, as to what smoking represents to people. The question is if they are deceived! ;)

Adsactly brother! You're good at this writing thing, eh?

If anyone reading this is struggling with cigarette addiction, the book "the easy way to stop smoking" by Allen Carr can be a life changer.

This guy was a genius. After years of trying to quit, I was almost ready to give up and accept my faith as a permanent smoker, until I found this book. One week later I extinguished my last cigarette crying of excitement.

What he promised was true: it was easier and more exciting to quit than I expected, I never had a bad moment and now life is sooo much better and colorful without those dreadful things.

A beautiful post, very atmospheric photography, and your metaphor is really nice. Magnificently. Thank you!

Not all smokers will die of heart disease, lung cancer, or stroke, but smoking habits can greatly disrupt your health and decrease your quality of life. Smoking hazards that you can feel daily are coughing, shortness of breath, more tired, more susceptible to infection, or severe sleep disorders with difficulty breathing at night then feel full in the morning. Maybe you are used to hearing the dangers of smoking on the body, but you still do not stop smoking because you feel your health is still okay now. Need a monitor, smoking is just like saving toxins in the body that little by little can accumulate if done continuously. That way, the risk of any disease will be higher in old age. Not only you, the closest people will feel the effect because it also inhaling tobacco smoke toxic. Therefore, immediately stop this habit.

hehehe :) "smokes you" it's a beautiful metaphor :)
you are right when you write. but I will comment on the photo.
I really like. the framing and the settling of the objects are wonderful.
I like rhythm feelings. I think it can be considered minimal. congratulations

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

hehe..it is a different meaning then :D

A beautiful picture, it makes sense. Smoking is served with thousands of poisons. In a short time we are dependent. If young people are not sensitive, the first line of different habits is with cigarettes. In times of debauchery, life with drugs is dimmed. Thank you for the article.

Smoking is a major health hazard.

Good wake up post. I am very proud of myself that I have not been smoking for 6 years. Anyone can do it, if he/she believes in himself/herself 💪.
The easiest woud be not to start with it...

So true words ♥ @cowi

mmmmmh this really is inspirational, never kill your self in the name of pleasure while killing your self, i love this,

My line is: "You know, when you are the most certain that you're smoking a cigarette, the cigarette is actually smoking you." :D

how true is this?

so very true,

answer

you don't go around fire expecting not to sweat

right on, brother! :)

I don't know why people do smoke? They know it's not good for our health but still they do it, it's clearly mention on the rapper it's not good for health,it spreads cancer but still they do that :(

Emotions and impulses rule over rational thought most of the times.

Yeah may be but i want everyone to stop all these bad habbits ::(

well why do people drink, why do they do drugs, eat sugar, drop bombs :)

That's what i'm trying to say mate , all these that can harm human being should be stopped

i get you but as humans we are weak :) i stopped eating everything that has sugar and bread for 2 months and lost 10 kg. after that i was not so restrictive and for 6 months lost around 6-7. but for the festive period i got back to old eating habits for maybe 15 days and got back like 5kg. we are weak :)

We are not weak,we have made us weak. My mom and dad both has suger.it's been 3 year my mom is stopped.eating sugar. If we want to do something we'll do that, but if we say we can't, we'll never be able to do that.

Well, guys...believe it or not it is not a matter willpower but more of opening the unconscious mind.

Yes you are right,our mind is so powerful.

I like smoking. There's nothing inherently wrong about doing what I want, so long as it only affects me. I'd prefer vape products if they could replicate more efficiently the culture of smoking.

Here it comes to your choice, what you want to do and what you don't want. No one can implement their theory upon you.

very deep! At first glance I did not understand it in the way you had intended! I enjoyed your explanation & the way it brought understanding..and some sadness- because it is so true! ut is very clear you are a great artist! look forward to folloeing your post!

Original Art Photography Series by @velimir #191 'Sadness Of Ash

I love the brain behind this content the way peaces of words are connected to make perfect sense at the end.

thank you!

One of many causes of Cancer is Cigarette , nice shot Mr @velimir thank for this useful post

Well done, you have a great style of writing ,,, if you watched a series of " peaky blinders " and saw how the hero inhales "Thomas" cigarette to you also wanted to inhale

leuh bu hana rukok lage perampok hana senajata

nice post.......and awesome photography

wonderful post

Wow..Thats very good photography...I appreciate to see this photo... That's amazing job

Very moving work...love it. Many find it hard to describe their work. Some instantly ruin it by doing so...this is very telling.

very interesting subject @velimir i have quit smoking for a long time

lol, hope he ain't no smoker no. more

thats a she

😲 ok ok, i took 30sec thinking bout what imma say. thanks for the clarification

I believe most smokers are ridden by the want syndrome above need syndrome although they hide under the notion that they need it. Thanks for your view

its name could be "sadness and loneliness of ash" too.

These pictures are beautiful and lovely... I truly love seeing this kinda things, thanks for feeding my eyes with these amazing beauties...thanks for sharing.Your writing is also very good.@upvoted

Wonderful photography..... i appreciate this art......resteemit done

Yes god

You Can Take one Soul in Your Boat.Who's it going to be ???
Screenshot_2018-02-03-00-30-42.png

very nice photography.i really apricate your art and post.thanks a lot for sharing.
please keep on your activity....

photography is art bof life
your creativity is good
carry on dear

hahahahaha great advice:
never let some bastard sitting in a boardroom of a tobacco company laugh at you because you make him richer by destroying your own health!
Thanks @velimir dear

good point of view ..really like this post

Everything has changed. The air I breathe to the sky I shared my midnight silence with. What hasn't changed is the memory of your smile. How it could make the most complicated of nights seem simple enough, to be awake, to sleep or to just be madly be in love.

nice content and photo, thanks for share....

well cgrate is good for spending alone tie

Hello friend, everything would be very nice for me to support me since I see you as an inspiration to continue. I would like at some point to be as successful as you would help me supporting my post? in @albeiro

Inspiring... Gat me reasoning.. Looking forward to have more of this

I have a nice literary language and congratulations. I want you to take the book as a continuation of your successes

Hi

Wow..Amazing photography..I like art..Thanks for sharing this post...Best of luck

nice post, hope to see more post..

amazing piece of writing (y) upvoted man :) how did you get so many friends here??? i've joined this platform but no friend yet :(

I like your post, i leave you my vote and i am following you ... I invite you that if you can see my blog maybe there is something of interesting,
Thank you

great picture @velimir my mom smoke for so many years but two years ago don't smoke more

@valimir
Thanks for this, I actually just gave up smoking, long overdue, but have started that journey just days ago. lol

stay blessed...

Nice subtle colours in this one. It's crazy how much cigarettes are being smoked indeed. I'm happy I kicked the habit a few years back! A lot better for my health and wallet 😅

The composition is interesting, especially with your comment bellow. Nice work!

I hate tabacoo... my father has been trying to stop for most of my life, he always decides to quit it during my holidays, he than end up ruinning the holidays, i wouldn't mind ppl smoking as long as it didn't have all those chemicals...

I've never been a smoker, but everyone has it's own addiction, for me, i could say it's videogames, not that i become anxious if i stop playing, indeed i'm surprised because i've played all my life, the thing is some addictions are more harmful than others but nobody lives a full healthy life.

just read youf post by cool mind i got a very good and nice experience from you my brother...
u correctly defined the meaning of the ash bro... felt happy by reading...
wish to see u for long time with such lovely lovely posts and pictures....
follow me to get upvotes comments and also resteem by me for u.... and by u for me....
sharing is caring my friend... #follow #follow #follow

good reflection, you know I respect those who want to smoke is their life but do not do it by my side, I hate that they come to smoke next to me and if I tell them that the smoke bothers me they get angry.

good post has a different concept a before and after is like seeing two realities in this photo

it just amazing my friend... a sad story of life.. i am beginner photographer i love to click and hope i will learn a lot from you.

I'm not used to smoke but sometimes it calls me and I like to try, thank you for the post you've share , I should not try it. I'll just enjoy the remaining fresh air.

I like your post

visit my post once thanks friends

wow very nice :))

This captures exactly what smoking is for me. It blurrs my focus on everything for just a moment until i just have that quick puff.
I so badly want to quit!

follow me @adiot
:)

Great photo and very interesting descriptions

This is something great and everyone should understand it and advice others to quit smoking

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I think that 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance' was mentally taxing, if only because I had to go to a Christmas party shortly after I had wrapped photography in Romania at two in the morning as the Ghost Rider. The invitation had a Christmas ornament on it with Ghost Rider's face on it as a tree. Nicolas Cage

Thank you Dear for such a nice photography!

Your reflection about smoking about got me thinking. I believe many smokers have a void in them that needed something to fill them. They feel the emptiness that they seek. Smoking gives temporary relief and it keeps them occupy leading to heavy addiction that is hard to kick off. Everyone has their own problems that they face and they used smoking as a kind of temporary relief that could never satisfy their own souls one after another. It takes great determination to overcome an addiction actually.

Depth... inspiration... knowledge about the world...

Yeah, that is a depressing photo. Beautiful, but depressing.
Most photography I look at on steemit have numerous photos on one post and usually not much more than a caption for each. I sometimes find myself scrolling through quickly not really looking and analyzing them. I like how you posted one photo and wrote in depth about it. I love hearing what the artist has to say about their work. This one made me slow down, look at it, and feel it, therefore I was able to appreciate it more. Thank you for sharing your amazing work!

Nice very nice 💪

Nasty, nasty habit. But the trend is slowly changing. With a lot of places banning the smoking of cigarettes (in the US) hopefully it will force people to change their habits and make it less of a friendly social thing and more of a hide in the alley kind of thing. Thanks for sharing that amazing image :)

Hello,

Do you guys review products or promote other author's posts? for a fee of course.

@velimir Me encantó tu post y las recomendaciones que haces de otros usuarios de steemit. La fotografía me pareció un poco oscura pero tal vez esa era la intención, produce una sensación de soledad increíble!! Soy nueva en esta red social y pronto empezaré a subir mis fotos

thank's for sharing... good job!

Putting our impulses under control will definitely affect the way we react to situations

Waiting for someday when people will notice my photography too.

https://steemit.com/@tanvirabedin pls follow and upvoat me i also follow and upvote you

Interesting blog posts...I have been following you for a few weeks now. From 2009-2014 I traveled the globe with my project called Lightenupandshoot. Completely geared around travel and photography. I taught workshops to hundreds of people. 18485650_1656637177698125_4968233353399376830_n.jpg

The image is haunting, and so are your words. I once struggled with a cigarette addiction and I can attest to the fact that my impulse always overruled my rational thought. I told myself I enjoyed smoking, and that it didn't control me, but it always controls the user, and not the other way around. Your words are eloquent and spot on! I have had to look at the photograph several times to reference it and I get lost in the brilliance every time. I also love how you create an uneasy feeling by the imbalance. Just altogether brilliant!

@velimir I think ash is build to decrease humans sadness. When people get sad or unhappy then they smoke. It's my thinking.

Is it going to help someone feel less sad or feel sadder sometime later?

@velimir I think No. Not at all.

There you go... ;)