Athens Street Shots, Part II

[Ron Scubadiver]

Nah, I didn't imply anything negative.  I enjoy your interactions with the people you capture.

Thanks, the ones I get to talk to are the most fun.

[David H. Hartman]

There has been a considerable drop in smoking in the US since I was young..  Unfortunately many still smoke. I hate to see people I like smoke.

[Airy]

Not sure all three girls depicted are Greek, but smoking is still quite common in Greece compared to other EU countries. In Japan too, as far as I can remember the stats.

On the other hand, these girls do not seem to eat hamburgers washed down with coke on a daily basis. While smoking recedes in the US and elsewhere, obesity is becoming the next problem. I hope it will become possible to criticize bad food habits and put shaming stickers on junk food boxes, together with morbid photos.

That being said, excellent shot. And that 50mm is by no means "humble", just inexpensive. A guy (or gal) shooting with a 50mm is not humble, he's just another Henri Cartier-Bresson or Willy Ronis in spe. Hah !

By the way, do you know a famous female photographer who is fond of fifties ? (aaah those "f"s)

[Ron Scubadiver]

Not sure all three girls depicted are Greek, but smoking is still quite common in Greece compared to other EU countries. In Japan too, as far as I can remember the stats.

On the other hand, these girls do not seem to eat hamburgers washed down with coke on a daily basis. While smoking recedes in the US and elsewhere, obesity is becoming the next problem. I hope it will become possible to criticize bad food habits and put shaming stickers on junk food boxes, together with morbid photos.

That being said, excellent shot. And that 50mm is by no means "humble", just inexpensive. A guy (or gal) shooting with a 50mm is not humble, he's just another Henri Cartier-Bresson or Willy Ronis in spe. Hah !

By the way, do you know a famous female photographer who is fond of fifties ? (aaah those "f"s)

I am certain there are lots of tourists from the US, Asia and other parts of Europe in my photos.  Obesity is far worse in the US than it is in Europe.   Are people are eating more to make up for not smoking?

[David H. Hartman]

I am certain there are lots of tourists from the US, Asia and other parts of Europe in my photos.  Obesity is far worse in the US than it is in Europe.   Are people are eating more to make up for not smoking?

US beef is loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics, one possible answer; dairy also. Our Food and Drug Administration... too political. I'll stop here.

Dave The Rat Hunter.

[Ron Scubadiver]

US beef is loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics, one possible answer; dairy also. Our Food and Drug Administration... too political. I'll stop here.

Dave The Rat Hunter.

There is a lot of controversy and politics surrounding food beyond what you mention such as GMO's and gluten.  For that matter, controversy and politics are everywhere.  There has always been a controversy with regard to my photographs.  It seems some guys don't like the idea that I walk down the street taking photos of pretty girls.  They might be afraid I will snap their girlfriend and post it on the internet.  When I first started doing this quite a few folks raised hell with me and some still do, although not as often.

[Airy]

Then try to depict ugly guys or plain buildings: reactions are worse,  because people cannot figure out why you are shooting! I speak from experience...

[MFloyd]

Ron makes a lovely picture of three girls having a rest and a smoke.  And what are most comments about ?: "smoking is baaaad !!!" Do we have a bunch of hygienists here ? People who know how other should behave ? Another expression of a "socialist paradise" ? Where a few will dictate what's good or bad.  Come on !!!!

[Airy]

Nope. Cool down. Commenting on the prevalence of smoking (or other habits) is an observation. If you travel, that's the kind of thing that springs into the eye. Not per se a matter of good or bad. And comments need not be restricted to technique (framing, composition, lighting etc.) because we are all, I think, interested by the contents and the subject.

[MFloyd]

.......

By the way, do you know a famous female photographer who is fond of fifties ? (aaah those "f"s)

Are you thinking about Diane "Arbus" Nemerov ?

[Airy]

Sure, but I thought she was a Rolleiflex-fan.

[MFloyd]

Sure, but I thought she was a Rolleiflex-fan.

She abandoned 24x36 in the early sixties for a Mamiya C330 equipped with a magnesium bulb flash.

[Ron Scubadiver]

Nope. Cool down. Commenting on the prevalence of smoking (or other habits) is an observation. If you travel, that's the kind of thing that springs into the eye. Not per se a matter of good or bad. And comments need not be restricted to technique (framing, composition, lighting etc.) because we are all, I think, interested by the contents and the subject.

It sure does vary a lot by location.  In Ljubljana two years ago I almost couldn't stand it.   Macau was one smoky mess.  US smokers go wild when they visit the Caribbean where there are no restrictions.  Smokers still screw up outdoor dining all over Europe, less so in the States.

If my photography inspires social commentary, go for it!

[Jakov Minić]

"Smokers still screw up outdoor dining all over Europe"

Dear All,

Please stop antagonizing groups of people to which you don't belong to!

NG is not only Brand Agnostic we also do not discriminate against: Age, Race, Sex, National Origin, Religion, Disability, Pregnancy, Medical Condition, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, and certainly not because of what you Eat, Drink or Smoke!

Thank you

EDIT:
I just couldn't resist but quote a famous statement and provocative poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) :

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.


Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak out-
Because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

[MFloyd]

👍 Jakov.