All I Really Need is Cigarettes and Alcohol

Posted by Duncan Galbraith (kyoto, Japan) on 5 February 2007 in People & Portraits and Portfolio.

For smokers the quest for tobacco isn't exactly an arduos one. The plethora of cigarette machines lining the streets is astonishing. I imagine if they installed them in the streets of england every elementary school kid throughout the country would take advantage. But here they don't. The number of smokers is relatively high, but it's extremely rare to see anyone underage exploiting the machines.

Pontocho, Kyoto City.

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Comments (26)

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

A beautifully confusing image! Great capture of the pub alley atmosphere. Great lighting and action. So is the woman at the machine extremely short, or am I missing something? She looks about a meter tall...

5 Feb 2007 12:12am

@Damon Schreiber: Hi Damon! You might be missing something but no fear! Bronnie has the answer ;) Cheers though, that really made me laugh. Been trying a few night stuff of late and so far the camera hasnt exploded in refusal. More of the pub alley to come. but not quite yet...

Bronnie from Christchurch, New Zealand

But that look is the same, the hunted, haunted look.
Damon, she's crouching down!!
You've caught the atmosphere so well - almost down to the smell, but not quite (thankfully) - lighting is especially good here.

5 Feb 2007 12:55am

@Bronnie: Thanks Bronnie! Cheers for setting Damon straight too!

H.O from Victoria, Canada

Very Urban shot Duncan-san. And that woman is good spice on this image :)
Nice work !

5 Feb 2007 1:35am

@H.O: Thanks Hiro! I'll pass on your comments to the fine young lady if I ever see her in passing ;)

Darren from Japan

Nice capture mate. Apparently they are going to change the law in Japan and you are going to need some kind of ID to buy from these vending machines sometime in the near future. How they are going to work that is a big question.

5 Feb 2007 1:58am

@Darren: hah. good luck to them with that! Cheers Darren!

Mike Cash from Kiryu, Japan

Lovely shot. As a daily hat wearer myself I must confess that my first impression was one of relief at seeing a young lady who knows which end of a fedora goes to the front. Usually I see them wearing them with the pinch to the rear. (<<<Insert crude innuendo here).

5 Feb 2007 3:04am

@Mike Cash: Cheers Mike. A dapper wee lass she was by no mistake!

Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium

I think I prefer your subjects to mine :)
Funny we were on a similar theme today. I was in Madrid last week and they have recently started ID checking kids to buy cigs. They have to be 18 in Spain. I was surprised to see this - even alcohol is checked now in Europe. Coming from the US I always though of Europe to be so free and open with their controlled substances :)

5 Feb 2007 3:37am

@Jason Kravitz: Japan is pretty free for now. You can even get booze from vendors here. Although if what Darren mentioned comes to pass then things may well change.

jc from Ireland

great atmosphere Duncan, the light on the girl's face and the pale glow really sets her apart from the other faces, suggests that nicotine craving

5 Feb 2007 4:22am

@jc: Cool reading John. like that a lot! Sorry for the abscence of late btw. back on and caught up. stellar stuff from yourself, and good to get some pictures of the train Ill be taking home.

Zach Siebert from Bologna, Italy

quite a fun picture. there's an air of illicit behavior here coming from the subject and the angle you shot it. like a voyeur watching others sin. well, cool and well exposed. i like.

5 Feb 2007 6:43am

@Zach Siebert: Thanks Zach! Im sure they're homely and harmless young women buying ciggies for their dad ;)

Makoto from Sapporo, Japan

Many signboards on the alley are very Japanese. Nice take.

5 Feb 2007 7:56am

@Makoto: Cheers Makoto!

Shuva Brata Deb from Hyderabad, India

Either I have seen this picture before of have heard this "subject line" before..Cant remember!

5 Feb 2007 7:59am

@Shuva Brata Deb: hey shuva! Its an Oasis song ;)

Still from Valence, France

A lovely atmosphere!

5 Feb 2007 9:27am

@Still: Thanks Still!

Kheoh Yee Wei from pj, Malaysia

Wow,I learned new knowledge from this photo and its comment ! Thanks man ! Great shot ;)

5 Feb 2007 9:37am

@Kheoh Yee Wei: Hey Kheoh Yee Wei! thanks for the visit!

badala from Leiria, Portugal

Love subway shots.

5 Feb 2007 9:55am

@badala: :-o Me too! I'll post some at some point! thanks badala!

Wayne from Melbourne, Australia

Hi Duncan, every time I visit your blog its like one of those really spectacular sushi pieces that you know just screams quality...and when sampled explodes in your brain as a million and one delicate and nuanced flavors. This photo is no less different =D Flavour grenade for the mind. Brilliant!

5 Feb 2007 12:17pm

@Wayne: thanks wayne! glad the flavour grenade is most palatable! much appreciated mate!

KOBAI from Sapporo, Japan

I am Japanese.
Funny shot!! But, an strange point in Japan :-)

5 Feb 2007 1:01pm

@KOBAI: Thanks Kobai!

Maoya from Rolle, Switzerland

Great atmosphere!

5 Feb 2007 2:54pm

@Maoya: Cheers Maoya!

Chris Sullivan from Melbourne, Australia

Fantastic shot of the Kyoto nightlife, summed up perfectly by the title.

5 Feb 2007 4:11pm

@Chris Sullivan: Cheers Chris!

Angry Buddha from United States

I don't smoke, but I would with them.

5 Feb 2007 6:50pm

@Angry Buddha: ;) and I wouldnt blame you ;)

Alfredo J. Martiz J. from Tokyo, Japan

Beautiful urban shot Duncan, I like how the standing lady is unconciously posing for you, the lighting is excellent!

5 Feb 2007 6:58pm

@Alfredo J. Martiz J.: cheers Alfredo!

AJ Kassam from Ottawa, Canada

Love the Alley shot - There wouldn't be a Pub Africa in this alley would there? Ugh..... shivers at the thought!!
Do the liquor vendies still shut down around 11ish?

nicely done. Looking fwd to more night city shots.

5 Feb 2007 7:00pm

@AJ Kassam: ;) het AJ! you know Kyoto well my friend! Africa is still going but a few streets over. Aye the liquor vendors still shut down at 11 (along with the ciggarette machines).

Michael Zhang from New York City, United States

The environment really captures me. The men, women, lights, the signs and the compact hallway make this a great shot.

5 Feb 2007 8:21pm

@Michael Zhang: Thanks Michael!

MontereyJohn from California, United States

Ah yes, food groups! along with salt and refined sugar :)

5 Feb 2007 9:09pm

@MontereyJohn: ;) cheers John!

Jerry from Tampa, United States

another nice image Duncan - under less than ideal conditions - good job!

6 Feb 2007 3:22pm

@Jerry: Cheers Jerry!

Rene from Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada

Ciggy machines on the street ? Wow, I think I am gonna move here. :)

6 Feb 2007 11:52pm

@Rene: Ciggies and alcohol! and things I darent mention if kids are reading!

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

This is one of my favorites of yours! Great work!

13 Feb 2007 6:54pm

@Craiger: Thanks Craiger! I actually quite like this too to be honest. I was amazed my camera didnt explode into a million pieces due to the low light and distance between me and the subjects.

Michelle Bialowas from Melbourne Victoria, Australia

I just can't get over how much passion, energy and depth your imagery has. I would frame this image and have it at home on my art filled walls. I love the movement - it's like I can feel the heat, the smell of the food and can hear the laughter of the two girlfriends while they are out having fun together.
If you are ever in Melbourne Australia, I would love to go out shooting with you.

13 Feb 2007 10:14pm

@Michelle Bialowas: Thanks Michelle. I'd love to go shooting with you one day and I extend the invitation back, if you ever get out to Kyoto City.

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