Portraits of David
May 30th, 2008
David contacted me a while ago so we are working on a whole series of portraits, I had planned to work on a series of portraits in available light at night thanks to the many sources available in town.
The aim was also to test the D3 under conditions of light more complex to manage. The rule was simple: just play with the available light without external sources or reflector.
This series will be conducted in two phases, the first meeting so you can see how it happens to work together and find suitable locations in terms of light (which gives us the raw images), the second phase is to work on a series with some narrative. This first series "meeting" has been followed fairly quickly by balanda the streets of downtown Brussels, on 90 minutes, we had to do 35 minutes of photos, find interesting places (primary source, his work background ...) takes time.
David is a student in film school and I plan to secure its participation in the development of this series to come, like the portrait to the collaborative side of trade than it creates.
Working at night by taking advantage of city lights is an interesting exercise, I always understand the difficulty with motivating people to retreat into a studio for the portrait, sunlight is free, rich, flexible with very little accessories, funding possibilities are endless. At night the game again with the lights of the city.
This weekend I should post a video that shows quite short enough good light conditions of different shots.
The images were imported into Capture One with a contrast adjustment of saturation and white balance. I opted for the latest images for a low enough scale, it is a debatable choice, but in my opinion is quite similar to what I was looking as chroma.
The picture in B / W portrait of one floor in my opinion did not place too in the series but I can not resist to show a picture at 4000 iso. I do my best to make the video available this weekend. As self-critical I would say that the images are technically sound but lack of work in terms of what should be achieved in the next round.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:41
Excellent, here we see the difference between the d3 and the d200 is really nice to see the "natural" night
The last three are truly magnificent!
May 30th, 2008 at 11:49
Impressive series (yet).
Special mention for the 6th and 8th.
Somewhat surprising to see such a dive and such micro-contrasts with brightness as low.
Talent ...
May 30th, 2008 at 11:59
Hello
I am your blog for quite some time and I take this series to respond
In fact, this series proves that one can make nice pictures without going through the box "studio". Even if sometimes it is probably more practical in terms of mastery of "time".
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Jimmy
May 30th, 2008 at 24:11
The Length may not have its place here ... but good (Readers Exif Firefox indicates ISO 4000, it caps?)
If not for the series, I can not wait to see the videos because the black and white series (the last 3, my favorite) is intriguing.
Beautiful series of portraits, you really operated the evening light (I have tested: p))
May 30th, 2008 at 12:13
Oh yes .. What about the management of white balance: on (I) could see a screen shot of RAW before refinishing the white balance? because the evening, it must be pretty yellow anyway right?
May 30th, 2008 at 1:21
Bravo for this first series "portrait by night
I like the expression of the fifth tof, but nothing more serious. It was a lighting shop window?
May 30th, 2008 at 1:50
MickymX: I have an eye on that Ausi full exif viewer hold myself up as iso 800: S.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:09
Raphael: Thanks!
Ken-L: Thanks! D3 prduit a lovely shaped
Jimmy: It is tu
, What I meant to say is that often people begin to think of it is a studio portrait, full of flashes ect, then q'une fixed lens that opens well and look around or AC can achieve interesting images
MickymX: The N / B full foot is effectivment of iso 4000, I edited the article
The video will be the "quick and dirt" but it allows good visualization of the sources
Vincent: Thank you, yes it was an entrance to a store with neon lights on each side
Klesh: The ground-floor at 800 iso in color, the silhouette that I will not turn! a real good picture in my opinion! The N / B was simply to show that you can easily mount isos on the D3
May 30th, 2008 at 2:20
It makes you want! I really like in terms of image of faded tones 7 and 8. The 3,4 and 5, the effects of bokeh is nice but a bit too saturated in the shadows. This is really top of neon. Why no spot metering on this series?
May 30th, 2008 at 2:45
Well hello .. very nice series, it is true that the gap with the D200 is very clear in these conditions, no light or reflector ... it leaves baba (a huge potential this box ..), the noise is almost nonexistent contrast and modeled very impressive .. I also note the care you bring (ever!) to choose your funds .. you always use spot metering on the face.? I have no EXIF but I am curious to see possible.?
May 30th, 2008 at 2:59
very nice set, very beautiful background. I have my box of digital, I'll come even inspire your work.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:58
Bravo superb series!
always a fan of your achievements!
nice work in natural light, the frames are light and are very well located and used.
and a big hat for the walk-in against the day with neon above (and the hat actually)! I would see a movie poster or a CD cover with this picture.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:18
Again congratulations for this wonderful series.
As usual, we regale you eyes and is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me. Often imitated, never equaled.
A big favorite for the front, next to last with two light sources on both the face and other fun to keep the N / B 4000 Isos. Same question as Iomoseb for spot metering.
Deeply video,
Patrice.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:58
Benjamin no problems for the tu
@ +
Jimmy
May 30th, 2008 at 7:09
Photographer talented + beautiful model + case war = great pictures
Personally, I see a clear difference with the D200, especially in these light conditions.
All photos are superb. I do not really know which to choose.
Personally, I tested the D3 yesterday, portrait, in a canopy. Flash unnecessary, ISO 200 (wide max), and the pictures are sharp and perfectly bright. There is a gap between the D300 and the D3 at the point of view sensitivity.
Bravo, Ben!
May 30th, 2008 at 7:37
Hello Benjamin
Thank you for this series! She showed me the photo night portrait urban Black and White! Phew! It's a lot to say but frankly the idea is great and I would not hesitate to experiment on my side in the same spirit.
The capture of light is really interesting in this case.
Very informative series
Jean-Romain.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:55
Uh ... Pinaise.
Thank you for this video ... I never thought about the two windows for shots (I know it's a profession). Superb .. more avé Zik and all the
Subsidiary question: never afraid that wraps you your gear to shoot at night like that? stupid question but I think I in my hometown ...
May 30th, 2008 at 8:00
Again a superb series of pictures, the originality that you bring every time. I savor them one to one ... Bravo.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:47
Beautiful shots, very photogenic model ... that's good!
May 30th, 2008 at 8:53
Fucking Ben .. THAT'S GOOD!
First small meeting in Brussels pacing, very nice!
.. And the result?
Beyond my expectations!
Take care and see you soon
May 30th, 2008 at 11:54
Stylish in the photo against the light! My favorite!
Good as always master of the portrait, but I what I really look with what you tell us is the theme for this series with the same technical mastery, if you have a story the more it will be a killer!
Fun in all cases the work outside (Brouckère though I knew well). The Flip is being turned into hard but it says so much about the shooting conditions and support that light is a real plus!
Wait and see next episode ...
May 31st, 2008 at 1:38
As MickymX I am never reassured the night in town with my camera gear, I too does not impress the top of my 1.60m LOL
But then you with a D3 I do not know how you do.
Otherwise regarding the photos I am simply amazed, my D50 is simply unable to do so and we must admit that the D3 (and the photographer of course) would go very well with so little light .
Nice set
May 31st, 2008 at 5:43
Puah (a mixture of Pfff and waaa, that makes pouaaaa)
BRAVO!
The last three are superb! The others as well.
I am amazed that you're thinking Telele use a light source on the final 3 ... I would have never thought of and looked for the light from the front or side but not the two sides
The guy is handsome, that helps. Yes, I agree with your self-criticism. But it's true that it's hard to bring out the personality / m'émotion of a picture ...
May 31st, 2008 at 7:51
Another great series!
Kudos for photos 4/6/7.
Library management of artificial light provided by the city ...
Finally a video ... Not long enough, Ben!
Do not you just have to find a wizard to videotape you while you photograph, that you see a little action ...
Are you gone to see the pictures I made at the Gay Pride?
Any comments or criticism of you are welcome, that's how we learn and we move forward.
As I see right now you post more regularly, and I do not want to miss your talent, is there any way to know when you post a new article?
May 31st, 2008 at 9:44
Sophie> register yourself on the RSS feed - last line on the right menu
you will be informed in real time 
May 31st, 2008 at 10:59
Oh, so it is jojou with his new cabinet. Is smug. What do we do now with our old D70
Personally, I hang at the sixth, she has this side film that fits perfectly with the subject, ie an actor.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:26
Question for Ben: how you resize your pictures?? Whenever I resize I go a max of sharpness of an image shot in 1024 high or wide for example, my main subject on the net raw ets will not be necessarily on the jpg ... You sniff your shots are superb even small format. I assume the pdc is not bad and for the sharpness as well.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:39
Another small quick comment. Would very much like the portraits on a model of skin or typed black hat with skin dark enough to see what you can as we lay mgnifique malgrès cliché that it represents the difficulty level lighting.
May 31st, 2008 at 10:21
Fooled me ... this video literally disgusted
See where you've done the picture between the two windows arf ...
Should we talk a bit tomorrow
May 31st, 2008 at 10:26
Nice editing video with a mix of photos and video!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:40
Awesome! Encore! The video is too short
June 1st, 2008 at 11:45
Bertrand with a .... must take an assistant
June 1st, 2008 at 3:52
Hello Benjamin
A big Bravo for this new series! nice work on the light!
A question! 1 / the color profile on your D3 is sRGB or Adobe RGB??
Thank you
Cyril
June 1st, 2008 at 4:38
As you say the terms are fairly neutral and very repetitive ...
However your work is exceptional to you, the D3 I really look like a small bomb, and you really tames
Good continuation for you
Roman
June 1st, 2008 at 8:57
Superb series! the record is really good but who would have doubted with gear and a photographer like that!
Congratulations again for this new performance
@ +!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:13
Very nice! I already made a series like that but I had reached the limits of my 20D at the time
June 1st, 2008 at 11:30
Well you have not been stingy on the comments!
lomoseb: I agree with all your remarks, in fact, to the extent that spot depends on my background and light on my topic, the extent of the D3 is awesome
Karbi: Thank you, in this case is the extent matrcielle, the Gap is mostly in terms of modeling, in the last images I stayed at 320 iso
Glens: With pleasure
Nawacki: Yep, it's also my favorite
Patrice: Thank you, to the extent of lomoseb see note
50mm: Er 200 iso on a D3 = 200 iso on a D300
but it is true that the D3 has better cash box isos 
Jean-Romain: With pleasure!
MickymX: The gear, not seldom, Brussels is not the Bronx, one is attentive but not over
michel: thank you
phazer: Thx!
David: We see the following
Coniglio: It is clear that I still have much work to do to work the narrative and emotional side of my images
For the ideas I'm working 
delphine: Thank you!
Sophia: Yep I would have thought about making video a little longer but it takes time
I'll take a look at your pictures 
I have not had much time, as MickmX RSS feeds are for ca
http://www.photob.be/2007/03/20/le-site-la-photo-les-rss-la-disponibilite/
Gam: I love this picture of my favorite series
Klesk: Usually with Irfanview, but Photoshop works fine for it, just for the portrait ca!
Tchouk:
happy with my D200 
Jimmy A has done little wrong with the hard black stripes and the video that goes underneath, the real work of pro ...
Betrand: thank you!
Jimmy: Yep sure!
cyril: sRGB for the moment, I am also going to switch to RGB too many problems with the red
ksh: I am as responsible as the rendering of expressions, it is the photographer who runs (and in this case not enough even if it was not the goal)
Olive: Thank you!
Anthony: I do not really see how the 20D would be limited to 320 isos
Thank you for your encouragement and your many comments!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:34
Once again a very beautiful series! And this idea of the video is amazing ... Thanks for giving us a little of your knowledge through this
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:50
@ Benjamin
Thank you for your reply, yep! ditto for me with my D300 ...'m sRGB (and is also a bit soft) and I will also go to Adobe RGB on the box .. and the rest of re_configurer "workflow" ... even in this "space".
A +
Cyril
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:38
Stunning, beautiful, to say except that compliments?
I'm blowing the meter site visits as I often come for inspiration, ideas but also generous and thoughtful explanations.
I agree with other encouragement and congratulations for the video!
Bravo Maestro!
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:18
Ah, the red and sRGB.
I do not want to throw oil on the fire. But Adobe 98, serves only one thing for offset printing (via the quad).
So, if you can not print in offset, if you do not probe worthy of the name and a screen that supports this color space.
Other problems will soon be on the horizon ...
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:42
Yes but why lose color when shooting while Adobe RGB offers more nuances.
It is like the RAW, no screen is capable of restoring all shades but it is foolish not to use its wealth and be limited to RAW when shooting.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:43
In JPEG forgiveness, be limited to JPEG when shooting.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:19
Hello,
Congratulations for the video. Short but very rich I think.
We realize that the observational work of the photographer is not that the action is happening, but also the light that is everywhere.
As well as the other makes you want to try it and it reminds me a lot the first clip of my brother that I invite you to see.
He had turned the end of the clip with friends in front of a billboard that had lost its poster. A vertical panel lights.
http://www.dailymotion.com/DaPastudio/video/x2shzf_spn_music
What I'm talking that starts at the 4th minute.
if not for the series, I'm also a fan as others outside of the more cold in the shades I like least ... Anyway, the taste and color.
June 5th, 2008 at 4:32
As some of you have been noticed in the comments on vimeo, there is an "s" in excess in your rushes.
But it lacks an "r" in "portraits" in the video with David.
What emotions that first post video that I see
Me if there are mistakes I can not count:-p
June 20th, 2008 at 4:01
you was working on what openings?
July 5th, 2008 at 7:11
As usual, photos breathtaking.
A particularly strikes me is the cons-date with the neon light.
You have great talent, thank you for letting us share =)
July 21st, 2008 at 1:26
and although I too found it very interesting, both in the approach in the result. I have indeed just venturing to this exercise in urban portrait night and I must say that I still have work ahead of me bcp unprotect achieve this record but the important thing is to have fun. thank you for the idea.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:11
Beautiful photos!
May 29th, 2010 at 1:30
[...] Inspired and assumed by the series of Benjamin, so I test it, so the "night photos [...]