Portraits by 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 in terms of lights more complex to manage. The rule was simple: just play with the available light without reflector or external sources.
This series will be conducted in two phases, the first encounter that can see how it goes to work together and find suitable locations in terms of light (which gives us the first images), the second phase is to work on a series with a certain narrative. This first series "meeting" was carried out fairly quickly by balandant the streets of downtown Brussels, on 90 minutes we had to do 35 minutes of photos, find interesting places (the main source, its background work ...) take time.
David is a student in film school and I intend to secure its participation in the development of this series to come, I love the picture for this side for collaborative exchanges that created it.
Working at night taking advantage of city lights is an interesting exercise, I always understand with difficulty motivating people to lock themselves in a studio for the portrait, sunlight is free, rich, scalable with very little accessories, the possibilities are endless funds. After dark the game is restarted with the city lights.
I should post this weekend for a video that shows quite short enough about the lighting 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 balance cold enough, 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 does not really his place in the series but I can not resist to show an image at 4000 isos. I do my best to make the video available this weekend. As self-critical I would say that the images are technically good but lack of work at expressions which should materialize in the next round.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:41
Excellent, here we see the difference between the d3 and d200, it's really neat to see the "natural" night
The last 3 are really beautiful!
May 30th, 2008 at 11:49
Impressive series (yet).
Special mention for the sixth and eighth.
Quite surprising to see such a dive and such micro-contrasts with a brightness so low.
The talent ...
May 30th, 2008 at 11:59
Hello,
I follow your blog for quite some time and I take this series to react
Indeed, this series proves that we can do portraits friendly without going through the box "studio". Even if sometimes it is probably more practical in terms of mastery of the "time".
Thank you for sharing with us your experience.
Jimmy
May 30th, 2008 at 24:11
That the foot may not be out of place here ... but good (Exif reader Firefox indicates ISO 4000, it peaks?)
If not for the series, I can not wait to see the videos because the black and white series (the last 3, my favorite) intrigues me.
Beautiful series of portrait, you really exploited the evening light (I have tested: p))
May 30th, 2008 at 24:13
Oh yes .. What about the management of white balance: on (I) could see a screen shot of RAW before editing the white balance? because the night, it must be pretty yellow anyway right?
May 30th, 2008 at 1:21
Congratulations on 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 a concern ausi on the ground floor because my exif viewer displays 800 isos: S.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:09
Raphael: Thank you!
Ken-L: Thank you! D3 prduit a very nice shaped
Jimmy: It is on familiar terms
, What I wanted to explain this is that often people who begin to think of portraits you need a studio full of flashes ect, then That a fixed lens that opens well and look around ca be used to achieve interesting images
MickymX: The B / ground floor is effectivment isos of 4000, I published in 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 has 800 isos in color, the silhouette that I will not turn! a really good picture in my opinion! This B / W it was just to show that one can easily mount isos on the D3
May 30th, 2008 at 2:20
It makes you want! I really like in terms of image and muted shades of 7 and 8. The 3.4 and 5, the effects are nice bokeh but a little too saturated in the shadows. That of neon is really great. Why not spot metering on this series?
May 30th, 2008 at 2:45
Hi Ben .. very nice series, it is true that the gap with the D200 is very clear in these conditions without light or reflector ... it leaves baba (a huge potential this case ..), the noise is almost nonexistent contrast and modeled very impressive .. I also notice the care that brings you (always) to choose your funds .. you always use spot metering on the face.? I have not the EXIF but I'm curious to see what is possible.?
May 30th, 2008 at 2:59
very nice set, very nice background. of that I have my digital box, I will come to inspire me even more of your work.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:58
Congratulations great series!
always a fan of your accomplishments!
nice work in natural light, the lights and the frames are very well located and used.
and a big hat for the walk-in day against the neon above (and the fact hat)! 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 duplicated.
A big favorite for the front, next to last with two light sources on both the face and other nice to have put the B / W at 4000 Isos. Same question as Iomoseb for spot metering.
Check out the video,
Patrice.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:58
Benjamin no problems for tu
@ +
Jimmy
May 30th, 2008 at 7:09
Talented photographer + model + beautiful box of war = great pictures
Personally, I see a clear difference with the D200, especially in these light conditions.
All photos are superb. I really can not choose which.
Personally, I tested the D3 yesterday, portrait, in a canopy. Unnecessary flash, ISO 200 (wide max), and the pictures are sharp and perfectly luminous. There is a gap between the D300 and D3 sensitivity standpoint.
Bravo, Ben!
May 30th, 2008 at 7:37
Hello Benjamin,
Thank you for this series! She showed me the picture of urban night portrait Black and White! Phew! That's a lot to say but frankly the idea is brilliant and I will 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 have never thought to two showcases for the shots (I know it's a job). Superb .. more avé Zik and all the
Bonus question: never been afraid that you wrap your gear to shoot at night like that? stupid question but I think in my hometown ...
May 30th, 2008 at 8:00
Again a superb series of pictures with this originality that you bring every time. I savor them one to one ... Bravo.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:47
Great shots, very photogenic model ... that's good!
May 30th, 2008 at 8:53
Ben fucking .. IT ROCKS!
First little session in Brussels pacing, very nice!
And .. the result?
Beyond my expectations!
Take care and see you soon
May 30th, 2008 at 11:54
Against the stylish photo day! My favorite!
Good as always master of portraiture, but I what I'm really what you tell us what is the theme for this series on the same technical mastery, if one has a story and more it's gonna be a killer!
Anyway nice work outdoors (to Brouckère if I recognize). The Flip is turned to tears but it says so on the shooting conditions and support that this light is a bonus!
Wait and see next episode ...
May 31st, 2008 at 1:38
As MickymX I never reassured the evening in town with my camera gear, I do not impress too much of my upper 1.60 m LOL
But then you with a D3 I do not know how you do.
Otherwise regarding the photos I'm just amazed, my D50 is simply unable to do so and we must admit that the D3 (and the photographer of course) is doing very well with so little light .
Nice set
May 31st, 2008 at 5:43
Pouaa (a mixture of Pfff and waaa, that's pouaaaa)
BRAVO!
The last three are superb! Other for that matter.
I am amazed that you are thinking of using a light source telel over the past 3 ... I would have never thought of and sought the light from the front or side but not the two sides
The guy is handsome, it helps. Actually, I agree with your self-criticism. But it's true that it's hard to bring out the personality / emotion in me a picture ...
May 31st, 2008 at 7:51
Another great series!
Kudos for the photos 4/6/7.
Belle manage artificial light provided by the city ...
Finally a video ... Not long enough, Ben!
There you just have to find an assistant to film you while you photograph, we see you a little action ...
Are you went to see the pictures I made at the Gay Pride?
Comment and criticism from you are welcome, this is how we learn and we move forward.
As I see that right now you post more regularly, and I do not want to miss your talent, is there a way to know when you post a new article?
May 31st, 2008 at 9:44
Sophie> New Register on RSS - last line of the right menu
you will be informed in real time 
May 31st, 2008 at 10:59
So that way we do jojou with his new cabinet. Will show-off. What now with our old D70
Personally, I cling to the sixth, she 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? Me when I resize I go a max of sharpness of an image shot in 1024 high or wide, for example, my main topic on the net raw ets will not be necessarily on the jpg ... You sniff your shots are superb even in small format. I guess for the CDP is not bad and also the sharpness.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:39
Another quick little comment. I'd love to see a model of the portraits on black skin or typed with ue 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
Bluffed this video ... I was literally disgusted
Or see the photo you've done between the two windows arf ...
We have to talk a little tomorrow
May 31st, 2008 at 10:26
Nice editing of the video with alternating pictures and video!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:40
Great! Yet! The video is too short
June 1st, 2008 at 11:45
1 with Bertrand .... you have to take an assistant
June 1st, 2008 at 3:52
Hello Benjamin,
Congratulations on this great new series! nice work on the light!
A question! 1 / the color profile on your D3 is the sRGB or Adobe RGB?
Thank you
Cyril
June 1st, 2008 at 4:38
As you say the phrases are fairly neutral and very repetitive ...
However your work to you is outstanding, the D3 has really seemed to be a small bomb, and you really tames
Good luck to you
Roman
June 1st, 2008 at 8:57
Great series! rendering is really excellent but who would have doubted with such gear and a photographer!
Congratulations again to this new performance
@ +!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:13
Very nice! I already made a series like this 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, spot metering it depends on my bottom and light on my subject, the extent of the D3 is impressive
Karb: Thank you, in this case is the extent matrcielle, the Gap is especially in terms of modeling, in the last images I stayed at 320 isos
Glens: With pleasure
nawack: Yep, it's also my favorite
Patrice: Thank you!, See note to the extent of lomoseb
50mm: Er 200 isos on a D3 = 200 isos on a D300
but it is true that the D3 has better high isos cash 
Jean-Romain: My pleasure!
MickymX: The gear, not rarely, that Brussels is not the Bronx, we remain attentive but not over
michel: thank you
phazer: Thx!
David: See you later for
Coniglio: Clearly 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!
Sophie: Yeah I think that would make a video a little longer but it takes time
I'll have a look to your pictures 
I have not had much time as MickmX RSS feeds are for the 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: Generally with Irfanview, but also works well for photoshop ca, ca just for portraits!
Tchouk:
happy with my D200 
Jimmy: A little hard fact is the wrong with black stripes and the video that goes below, the real work of pro ...
Betrand: thank you!
Jimmy: Yeah clear!
cyril: sRGB for the moment, I'll also go in RGB too many problems with the red
ksh: I am as responsible as rendering 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 see too how the 20D would be limited to 320 isos
Thank you for your encouragement and many comments!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:34
Once again a very nice set! And this idea of the video is amazing ... Please give us some of your expertise in this way
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:50
@ Benjamin,
Thank you for your answer, yep! ditto for me with my D300 ... am to sRGB (and is also a little soft) and I will also switch to Adobe RGB on the case .. and the rest of re_configurer "workflow" ... even in this "space".
A +
Cyril
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:38
Stunning, stunning, to say except that compliments?
I have to blow the meter of site visits as I come here often for inspiration and ideas but also generous and insightful 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 fuel on the fire. But the Adobe 98, serves only one thing to offset printing (via quad).
So if you do not print in offset, if you do not have a probe worthy of the name and display 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's like the RAW, no screen is able to reproduce every nuance, but it is ridiculous not to take advantage of its wealth and be limited to RAW when shooting.
June 3rd, 2008 at 24:43
JPEG to 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.
In any like others makes you want to test that and it reminds me very much the first clip of my brother that I invite you to see.
He had turned the end of his clip with his buddies, facing a billboard that had lost its poster. A vertical panel light.
http://www.dailymotion.com/DaPastudio/video/x2shzf_spn_music
What I'm talking that begins at the fourth minute.
if not for the series, I'm also a fan like the others outside it more in cold tones that I like least ... Anyway, the taste and color.
June 5th, 2008 at 4:32
As some have pointed out to you in the comments on vimeo, there is an "s" too in your "rushes".
But it lacks one "r" in "portraits" in the video with David.
So many emotions this first post to video what I see
Me if there are faults it has not:-p
June 20th, 2008 at 4:01
was working on what openings you?
July 5th, 2008 at 7:11
As usual, photos breathtaking.
A particularly strikes me is against the light with neon light.
You have great talent, thank you for letting us share =)
July 21st, 2008 at 1:26
and although I too find it very interesting, both in the approach in the result. I have also to take the risk in this exercise in urban portrait night and I must say that I still have work ahead of me bcp poru achieve this record but the important thing is to enjoy the game. thank you for the idea.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:11
Great pictures!
May 29th, 2010 at 1:30
[...] Inspired and played by the series of Benjamin, so I tested then to "night photos [...]
March 21st, 2011 at 24:05
[...] Effect in 2008, you served as a model for Ben for a night portrait session using only ambient light the streets (windows, billboards, [...]