Great work Malster, too much hair to be you!! Many regards, Neil.

That's what the New Year is all about isn't it? New things on the horizon.

I'm sure you aren't entirely referring to Aldous Huxley

I've not been here for a while and when I do I'm not dissappointed. Nice one Mal

very uplifting - I'm thinking it's the rising sun but equally though, it could be setting I suppose. I could almost be there in the way you've composed this which is what I like most about it.

Why does this look like a similar place I saw recently on Petra's site? Except with hers, there was someone jumping, as I recall.

I think the sky is the limit, Mal!

Wow. Simple and compelling.

That is absolutely wonderful.

As always, Mal. A wonderful and thought provoking picture.
Love it!

Very striking, Mal.

That's me 15 years ago, mal.

Is this your new Gormley-esque statue on a hill? Just need another 100-plus of these to make a splash....
Great image, by the way!

Compelling image which really holds the attention. Great sense of solitude and contemplation. Fantastic, Mal. (:o)

Naht wrong w'this youth. richard

Nice photo !!! The first thing he'll do this year is trying to stop smoking and this is his last one. After, he is going to drop it into the gap, looking at this wonderful place and knowing he is right taking care of himself like this ...

It does have an air of going into the unknown. love the idea and what a great shot.

Makes you wish you could see what he/she is seeing over the brow of the hill. Great shot Mal.
Ingrid

Behold the horizon ! That's a beautiful mono Malcolm. A perfect place for dreamy visions.

simply brllliant!

Smoking hot and fitting for the start of the year. Great silhouette and contrasting lightplay in the clouds.

Top shot !!

Phenomenal, great atmosphere, I have the same thought as Ginnie....

Lol Anns comment because the first thing I noticed was the cigarette.
Beautiful capture as usual Mal.

Some say "they live among us".

There must be little things, like obtuse hand-signals, that give their presence away to those who seek to discover them.

Can this be one of them...a navigational beacon to guide in the Aliens, which will arrive in a burst of light to obliterate humankind...an essential excising of the bio-pustule that threatens the existence of Life on Rock #1335hhB?

Surperbly captured, mal.

Great shot Mr Smart. All the best Bernie.

This doesn't look nearly as gloomy as I would expect given the title, but it is a very well executed classic composition!

Solitude, great shot Mal

Wonderful capture Mal. Well done

Giz a fag!

Excellent Mal. I really like this very much

Taking the cigarette ban in pubs a bit far Mal!

Fine image

....Teaching Masterclass again Mal!!! very speakng photogrpahy!! Love the title, soehow, it feels like I've been here before, like deja-vu, strange feeling

Is that a mushroom cloud in the distance

It's that aaaahhh moment. The end of the day and a cigarette. I remember it well. It ended 2 yrs ago on the 12th. Yeah! Thanks for reminding me how glad I am.

Fantastic and mighty!
Photography at its finest

It's a really strong image, but I particularly like the cigarette. It is a small detail but sets off all sorts of chains of thought (no pun intended). Would we feel differently about this figure, if you'd magicked the fag away in PS?

An apt title. I imagine the subject is considering a New Years resolution to give up smoking

like it Mal. you get the feeling theres a vista being appreciated by the figure, maybe somewhere in the highlands - with the hair being ablast.. Rab

great 'lonely' shot. someone having an enjoyable solitary cig. as ever, a shot full of emotion and thought.
Cheers
Rhys

Oh! Mal! I want to express here my better desires for you and all yours in this New Year.

The photography like always precious, but.... exceeds cigarette! eppp!

Nice one. man and nature.

Wow, I like the center light in the sky.

oh, brave ?what for?? not to die one day?? ah ah!! ;-)) nice shot!

mal at work...very nice but would like the clouds to be more defined....lovely pict hough, excellent vibes...

Beautiful shot. Perfect in my eyes.

Mal, sometimes simple is best. Love it.
"I am smokin' a faaaag"

The emotions expressed in comments about the held cigerette are fascinating. Nostalgia, hope, bitterness, fixed attitudes, disgust, humility, relaxation, reflection and probably many more. I wonder Mal, if you were even aware and focused on the fag when you took the shot. I'm sure I wouldn't have been ... basically because this is a really evocative image in its own right. As far as smoking goes ... for me it's f****** stupid but I'm not crazy enough to comment on what other people do. May I say this is a fantastic image full of positives. richard

Solid image

Hi my friend! this is really evocative image

Another great piece of work by Mal!

Simple and... well, it certainly works various ways.

My mind starts drifting in different directions, depending on whether I focus on the picture itself (optimistic, looking forward...) or the title (a touch of uneasiness, remembering the book and suddenly realising the huge contrast between the sun and the person).

And then discovering the fag...suddenly a feeling of every-day.

Nice rollercoaster

stunning stuff Mal

Magnifique !