Travel with a camera, create new work

current photographer inspiration: Bob Willoughby

current film inspiration: Solaris, directed by Andrei Tarkovsky

currently listening to: Ursuline by Malajube

One of the reasons photography fascinates me is because the field is always changing. There are always new trends that come into the photo world, much like music, fashion, anything else, really. I think it’s just a natural cycle all art forms encounter. I think the key to being a good photographer is to shoot what you like and make your work consistent. While I was in photography school, I soon realized that you shouldn’t create work that you think other people will love. Create work you love.

Trends and style are two different things. Trends can fade in and out, but style is a trademark and could be considered timeless. Yousuf Karsh, Elliot Erwitt, you can spot any of their photographs based on their style of shooting. Making memorable work isn’t an easy task. When pursuing a new portfolio, it can take years to finish. Of course, if every photographer shot the same way throughout their career, creating “new” work can get stale. Reexamine what got you into photography in the first place, or whatever field you may be in, and apply that emotion into all of your work. For me, I need to put my camera down, sometimes for weeks at a time. It’s important to be engulfed in whatever you are doing, but I don’t think it’s good to oversaturate your life with one project. I don’t even know where my artistic vision comes sometimes, so I dare not force it; just let it come naturally. When we we’re officially out of ideas and on the brink of giving up, that magic comes back to us when we need it most. Hopefull when it does you’ll have you’re camera on you. We are a product of nature. Nature seems chaotic at times, but it keeps a stable equilibrium. Balance is nature, therefore I (try) to balance all aspects of my life.

Those are my thoughts at the moment. If you have a moment, please take a look at some new work below.

Here are some photographs from a few portrait sessions and my last architectural shoot. The interiors I shot for amazing designer Elissa Fenster. The stylist was the very talented Robert Brown.

British Airways Contest – My England/France trip

currently looking at: Mark Power

currently listening to: Don’t Wait for the Needle to Drop by Dosh

Hello there. Europe was the bee’s knees. The only issue about going there was that I wanted to also travel to other countries that I’ve always wanted to go to once I set foot. I have a lot of stories to tell, but I’ll just give the lowdown. The purpose of this trip was to shoot a portfolio on “Modern London.” British Airways ended up giving me an extra ticket for a fellow traveling companion, so I brought my friend Adam. When we arrived, we spent just about 7 hours in London until we flew to Lyon, Paris for 3 days. We visited with my friend Dan and his girlfriend Adele. Dan is an old friend of mine who’s a film scorer and was spending a few months there. He showed us around and I was able to take a lot of good pictures. I shot a lot of street and architecture there.

We ended up getting back to London, which is such a bustling city. It is very populated and everyone is on the go. It is much like New York, except for the accents and the historical factor. I checked out a lot of stuff, but my favorite parts of the city were Camden and Piccadilly Circus. My favorite places that I spent some time were Regent Park, The Portrait Gallery and just the London streets in general; lot of good people watching. I find the best way to get to know any city is to get lost in it. Not have a working cell phone was very good for my creative juices, not needing to answer e-mails or worry about calling someone back, it was such a great feeling. At a quick glance, however, London could be easily mistaken for parts of the U.S., minus the cars and the accents.

Overall, the trip was indeed a success and the people at British Airways were such a delight. I completed my portfolio on Modern London and was very happy with how everything was shot. I did end up losing a flash the last night we were there (!!!!!), but what’s a trip without some form of casualty? I could go on longer about my ventures, but I figure I’ll let my pictures do the talking. I am close to having everything ready to be presented to British Airways, but until I can show the portfolio in it’s entirety, take a look at a few of the images from the trip. Enjoy!

Toxic Funk Berry

Photography Practices/Methods and (I Won) a British Airways Contest

currently looking at: Heather Hernaus

currently listening to: Kingdom Come by The Mae Shi

I’ve always had the internal debate on what photography is, methodically. If we capture a candid moment out of being in the right place at the right time, is that the same thing as constructing a visually stimulating photograph with complete creative control? I think a good photographer has to know both and of course needs to know beauty when it’s in front of them. Being a photographer is a state of mind, a practice of visual acuity. We need to be able to see things for how they are, but also ask questions as to what makes it interesting. Elliot Erwitt, Frank Capa…do they define themselves by the same means as Art Streiber and Dan Winters? It’s a tough question, one that requires a lengthy look at your own work.

When I attended New England School of Photography, I majored in Advertising Photography and minored in Architectural Photography. Although I shoot mainly architecture and people, I found that working in a studio gives me such a sense of who I am as a photographer. Advertising is 100% creative. You are in creative control from conception to completion. Having total control can be overwhelming and can actually limit success. For example, if you look at all the obstacles George Lucas had when creating Star Wars 4-6 and how amazing those films are…then look at what he can do when he has an unlimited budget and total control over absolutely everything…he comes up with a story that is overly saturated with effects and unnecessary characters that overrides what everything that the original Star Wars was all about to begin with. Well, the same thing can be applied to Photography or any art form for that matter.

So for me, Architectural Photography is a perfect match for Advertising Photography. They are on opposite ends of the spectrum. With Architecture, you have to find your shot, shoot something creatively that is unique to how you see it and have visually interesting content. Both forms of photography have different purposes, different creative processes and different receptions. What’s common for both? They are both your own unique vision.

Recently, I was announced as a winner for a photography contest for British Airways. I am traveling to London in late October to shoot a theme of “Modern London.” I am going to shoot architecture, on-location portraits, and photo’s incorporating people and the landscape/cityscape. I am extremely excited to shoot this as I have never been to England before. I also hope to travel to Paris and Amsterdam while I’m in that part of the world. Once I return, my work from London will be shown in JFK Airport. Free trip and having my work shown in a major airport? Nothing wrong with that.

Have any tips for where to go and what to shoot? Send me a shout if you know something I should photograph. Also, there are some finished photo’s from The Wine Bottega below.

ben
www.bengebo.com

Stuff Magazine, Wine Bottega, and Staying Motivated

currently looking at: Joao Canziani

currently listening to: Waiting by Pacific UV

I find myself getting inspired from everything around me. People. Shapes. Color. The world is your playground, why not use it for any and all photographic purposes as well? I find that to maintain a connection to your creative self, you need incorporate a delicate balance of work and play with what you love to do. The reason why people don’t make a career out of the things they love is because they are afraid of spoiling what they love by attaching business practices to it. The “thing” that you love should be organic and should be untampered with. Although, I think if you know how to work it correctly, you can find a medium in which you can turn your play into your work. I think it’s important to let your dreams and aspirations become you.

..Well anyways, I recently was published in Stuff Magazine twice(page 27, page 90). One for an ad with G2O Spa/Salon and the other for my interior photography work with designer Kristine Mullaney. This was a hip, Hollywood-style home that had elaborate decor and very striking design. It was a lot of fun to shoot, but with limits on time, there was only so much I could shoot.

I’ve also been doing work with the Wine Bottega in the North End. A lovely wine store owned by Kerri Platt, a truly nice person who knows more about wine than I do about eating an entire bag of kit kats (which is a whole lot). She just finished having it restored and looks amazing (so I am told). I was called in for photographs for Food and Wine magazine to get shots of the Wine Bottega for an article, while it was still in the process of being remodeled. It was tough to really get the best of it before it was done, but I’ll show you a couple choices for it. The issue should be out in October, and for now I will show you the “after” shots once I get back there next week.

Keep on keepin’ on,

ben
www.bengebo.com

Chicago and The Everyone Festival

currently looking at: Yousuf Karsh

currently listening to: Toothless by CAW CAW

Hello hello,

I just returned from Chicago for some work/fun. I love that city, there’s always so much going on and so little time to accomplish it all. I was able to meet with some old friends to attend “The Everyone Festival.” It essentially was a recollection of old friends in Wicker Park, throwing a party with a mix of various Chicago musicians. Quite fun, I’d say. I was able to get new work done while I was there. I’ve been trying to capitalize on the opportunity to get more portraits and architectural shots. When you do a lot of work for others, it’s nice to shoot for yourself when you can. I find it really reclaims what the spirit of photography is all about and brings me to why I got into Photography in the first place. The point of the trip was to actually try and “get away” from the normal routine and help re-inspire me for future projects. It worked. I’ve recently decided to go to Utah in August to help jump start an entire new portfolio. I’m sure I’ll report on my update upon my return.

That’s it for now, check back soon for new work that I’ve been collaborating on with designers Brandon Bird and Amanda Reid.

Tot Ziens!

Ben
www.bengebo.com

The B(oNE) Show, Emerge and g2o Spa/Salon, new things

currently looking at: Lorne Resnick

currently listening to: Smugglers by We

Hello.

I recently attended the B(oNE) Show which was held at Mass Art on June 11th (I know, a month late). This is a yearly event that showcases numerous pieces from a Graphic Design competition by the AIGA Boston. I helped with shooting events and the catalog. It was a rewarding experience and worked with some great people. There was a tremendous turnout, but the alcohol ran out rather quickly, haha. It was still a blast and wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work that Brandon Bird and Jeff Stammen. They spent many sleepless night trying to get the event planned and exectuted, and it they made it look easy.

I’ve recently been busy working for salons in the area, specifically Emerge and G2O on Newbury Street. It has been a blast and I was able to come out with some really great shots. It’s really interesting working in a spa setting. No matter how stressed shoots can be, the sound and the atmosphere calm everyone down.

B(oNE) Show Judges

Me @ the B(oNE) Show

Emerge

g2o

g2o

g2o

g2o

g2o

g2o

g2o

g2o

I had a blast shooting there. This particular shoot combined my favorite elements: interiors and people. G2O and Emerge were great; very clean throughout the premises, very fun and nice staff, just a great area to end up with a lot of amazing shots. I find that a lot of planning for a shoot of this magnitude can really help get the best image possible. I was always willing to accept all outside input as a new potential for a creative image that I would have never otherwise thought. It really does help to work with other creative people that are willing to collaborate ideas. I find you need to stay inspired constantly in order to come up with the best images that you AND your client will love.

‘Til next time! (which will be soon!)

Also, lets follow each other on Twitter!

-bengebo

New inspirations/work/website

currently looking at: Paul Costello

currently listening to: An audiobook about Einsten called “Einstein: His Life and Universe”

Hello there,

I am just finishing up some work for an Interior Designer I’ve been working with, Kristine Mullaney. Anything regarding interior design, this is the person to talk to. She does a range of customized interiors with a unique variety and always keeps her design classy. If you want to see some of her work, take a look at her website. She is truly a wealth of knowlege and good tast when it comes to creating any living space. She helps reinvigorate my zest for photography, take a look at some new work I’ve done with Kristine on my updated website.

Being a photographer, I realized three of the most important things out there to do: keep costs down, never take a break, and always find new inspirations. On the business aspect of things, the first two should be just known. As far as finding inspirations, it’s really tough to always stay motivated to find inspirations in other peoples’ work. Most times, I get the idea for my next shoot in small random moments during the day. More often than not, it’s one of those moments before I fall asleep that sends a bolt of inspiration into my brain.

That’s all for now, I’ll be posting more blogs up this week, so have a delightful morning and rest of the day!

Ben

www.bengebo.com

Gary Land, Drobo, Copley Society of Art

currently looking at: Damon Winter

currently listening to: Wayward Song by The Earlies

Hi,

How are you? What has been going on with you? I just bought a 4TB Drobo system. I had a shoot yesterday morning and when I got home, I had to move 10GB of images from one drive to another before I could load my images. I do not have a good archiving system, but I caught wind of the Drobo and made a little impulse purchase. I am going to debate if a particular image is really worth tossing. I am also still looking forward to a D700 in a few months (hopefully!).

Last Thursday I had to attend an opening reception for The Student Competition at the Copley Society of Art on Newbury Street. It was a really fun opening with a lot of great work. There were mostly paintings there, but some good photography as well. If you get a chance, drop in and see some work. The show will be up until the 28th.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to see Gary Land speak. He is known for his “hyper-realism” style of photography. I have only known him from his work, but realized how important it is to be inspired from others in order to create images that you want to create. He filled a lot of his lecture with just stories of what to expect, what he’s experiences and what he did to get where he is. He held nothing back, really. He even let us in on some behind the scenes stuff and showed his workflow on his images.

If you know of his his work, I’m sure you’ve seen his images. He loves robots and (fake)guns, that’s pretty rad. His work ethic really pulsed because he got most of the work in his life from his own personal projects. One thing he showed us was how one thing, anything, can become an inspiration. Also, don’t choose to not doing something because someone thinks it’s stupid. Do things for yourself and keep working at it. Someone else out there will like your work, being only a matter of time or just because it hasn’t reached enough of an audience. Anyways, nothing but great things to say about the inspiration this guy can instill.

Also, I’ll be putting up new images from a shoot with Celloist Liz Maxfield. She is a truly nice woman and makes beautiful music. I ended up shooting his her with the idea of a natural, organic style and we had the best weather for it. I think Annie Leibovitz’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth was floating around in my mind somewhere during the shoot. Check bengebo.com in a few days to see them.

That is all, have a delightful weekend! Tot Ziens!

Ben 

www.bengebo.com

D700 w/ video? Yes. Jon Woolf+Architecture=love?

currently looking at: Dana Hoff

currently listening to: She’s a Jar by Wilco

Hey there,

Been awhile since last post! I’ve been busy to say the least. My wedding website is finally up and running, take a peek(www.bengebo.com/weddings.html). I’ve also been traveling all over the place, even though my ties have kept me restrained in Boston mostly. I recently went to New York to shoot the band DeVotchKa last weekend, that was a blast. It was a great show and I got a lot of good pictures, take a look at my main site(www.bengebo.com).

I have also been focusing a lot of my attention on my architecture projects. Dana Hoff really inspired me with his architectural portfolio. His kitchens and bathroom are really good work. My favorite work of his work are the exterior shots; he really knows how to line things up accordingly and also pick the perfect time of day to get the most out of the structures he shoots. I also like that he doesn’t have that obvious HDR look, they are mostly all elegant photographs with  lot going on.

Today, I had the pleasure to hear an architectural photographer by the name of Jon Woolf speak. He is from the area and shoots panoramic cityscape’s. He uses all digital now and explained the process of using a 4×5 to capture one scene with 25+ frames! Trust me, it’s a painful process that makes you feel like you’re work ethic is inadequate. Anyways, there’s really impressive work from this guy; the curvature of the buildings are so fluent and seamless in his panoramics. Great stuff. (http://www.jwoolf.com/index.html) .

I heard the D700 has the capabilities to shoot video. (Whoa, really) Oh yeah, check out this article. I just got the new Animal Collective album and I need to give if a few more listens. Take care and check out my new DeVotcKa pictures.

Ben

www.bengebo.com

A quick one! Site update, inspirational photographers

Hey there in Blogger world, I’m in sunny Florida for a little R&R from the stress of school and from the 1+ feet of snow in Boston. I just wanted to throw up a quick post and say my website is revamped with an html option, so check it if you get a chance.

Also, I’ve been looking at some good photographers lately, one in particular is Danny Clinch (www.dannyclinch.com). He has a vivid, personal touch he ads to his portraits. Another one I envy a lot is a man by the name of Dan Winters (www.danwinters.com). I am working on my style and it seems to encompass the tranquility and honesty of his work, but also the straightforward capture similar to Ben Watts and the like. My own work, I described it as photo-illustrative, conceptual, semi-classical fine-art portraiture. It’s a progressive way of shooting I am really fitting into. How would you describe your work? Whether your a photographer, sculpture, painter, etc?

Hey, have a nice holiday everyone!

 

Ben

www.bengebo.com