Smoke Break

Once a common practice that crossed class, race, and income lines, smoking is now widely reviled. l am fascinated by the small rebellions and compulsions that propel people to continue smoking when they are often met with disdain and disapproval. Smoke Break is a series of psychological portraits designed to reveal the continued allure of smoking and examine the role played by addiction. A residue of glamour can be seen in these images – the theatrical inhaling and exhaling, the sensual pleasure of watching smoke float and dissipate in the air, and the primal lure of fire. Additionally, these images reveal that for some people, smoking helps them enter a state of contemplation. This introspective break in a busy world is more valuable than non-smokers can imagine. Smokers have become social refugees banished to windy corners, cars, and private rooms. Many retreat to these places because they value the state of contemplation that often accompanies smoking. A former smoker describes this phenomenon; “Smoking has the special power to bring the user to a medium. It doesn’t make you high and it doesn’t calm you down. It does both. If you’re feeling anxious, it has a leveling effect. If you’re feeling down, it also has a leveling effect.”