Book "The Belgians began to save the planet"
June 10th, 2009
A post to introduce a project completed for Etopia editions , this is the book "The Belgians began to save the planet" Portraits of women and men took action closer to home by the sponsors Christos Doulkeridis Hats and Caroline.
Text of press release
On the one hand, there have been recent years a tremendous leap forward in raising awareness of issues of ecology and sustainable development. Almost no one denies that we should deal with pollution, social inequality, global warming, major epidemics, the consequences of the accumulation of waste, health problems associated with certain economic choices or some manipulations Genetic. On the other hand, we see that our companies are not always ready to respond to these structural challenges. The task seems enormous. The answers often seem difficult, controversial or non-existent. All this often leads to the feeling that the answer will come from elsewhere or later, and causes a reaction that is to do (almost) nothing. This finding is contradictory to the base of this book. Of course, it will fail to answer any questions. His only ambition is to show that, close to home, women and men began to build concrete solutions in most areas, from food to energy, to fashion, finance construction, to save the planet. This book portrays a few of those, known and least opened the door, hoping that it inspires others to follow. "
My participation in this project was to achieve half of the portraits presented in the book is 12 portraits (another photographer Jean Louis Brocade not to quote him, took care of the other portraits presented) so I had to organize various meetings and make sure the images most of the time directly to their respective workplaces. The constraint was to work in b / w
The ideal would of course to bring them all in a studio but for reasons of schedule, it was impossible.
My first idea was to contextualize the portraits, have an element that recalls the business of the person to photograph, I quickly realized that would initially very simplistic and a second time rather grotesque, a stethoscope to Emilie Meesen (Coordinator of Nursing street) and Olivier Marquet (Director of Triodos ethical bank) bank notes?
In short, I gave up the idea to concentrate on getting out of portraits that are simple, open and natural with a look into the lens.
One thing I noticed during these meetings is that for most of these "personalities" are set back from their ideas that they go much further, I had to be a portrait image.
I chose to return to 3 portraits and bring you more information on the shooting conditions and shoot.
Thomas the lean co-founder and director of the news agency Alter
I met Mr. Lemaigre, in its offices in the heart of the town of St Gilles, since we had a little time, it was taken a few different.
The first in natural light with a skylight above the subject and a piece of white cardboard to lead just right, but while staying in very Low Key values. (For all images of the book I chose to work directly in black and white in order to gain insight on direct review)
The second is simply the light filtered by a Légé curtain on the right of the subject with a piece of white cardboard to avoid blocking the left side of face and body.
The third is a light box (with a flash tristar cobra) and another flash cobra with a snoot to bring enough wins on the board from the bottom.
I ultimately decided to choose my first decision that ultimately is less open but a mystery and a certain class.
Info: 50mm F2, iso 400, 1 / 100
Alain Hubert, Brussels Mountain guide, explorer, founder of the International Polar Foundation
I met Mr Hubert on the premises of the Polar Foundation, after a small lookout tower, I found a dark wall with a large window on the right of the subject and another window on the left to return.
I had very little time available Mr Hubert was returning from an expedition to Antarctica and had many obligations, I could make some pretty pictures "front" and finally choose the 3rd image.
As already explained earlier article, I shoot b / w directly on the box to preview the RAW file remains in color and in this case I really liked the photo in color
Info: 85mm F2, iso 800, 1 / 125
Gunter Pauli, Brussels / Founder of the Japan Research Institute ZERI
Mr. Pauli was visiting Brussels between two trips to Tokyo, I could go to the lobby of a society in which he was to meet with leaders to develop a lighting based on two soft box (the light was not sufficient on site).
I did a test first on what was available (a plant) Mr. Paul arrived, told me he had time for a picture, I explained briefly what I expected in terms of attitude and expression, I triggered the guests arrived and he thanked me.
In these cases, there was no room for error, which is why testing is important
Info: 50mm F1.8, 400 iso, 1 / 250
In the end I am very happy to have participated in this project and have done all these meetings.
Future articles, Vote!
For future articles you now have the opportunity to vote for what you want to read, this happens in the right column, you can also follow me via Twitter (yes the old thing that comes to fashion without knowing why)
June 10th, 2009 at 12:16
portraits thomas Lemaigre déboitent just right!
June 10th, 2009 at 24:18
Very dark these portraits, it surprises me a little. Not too in your habits (especially the first and denier)
And a preference for the second color which makes it very good (blue eyes / blue shirt)
One question, how you choose to work in 50 or 85mm? Especially the last photo where you very little time actually.
June 10th, 2009 at 24:20
Superb portraits Benjamin (it changes) in all conditions. Bravo!
June 10th, 2009 at 24:20
I was amazed at the shooting to Gunter Pauli.
within such a short shoot, at last we can not even call it a delay, amazing.
Not knowing the lighting that you find there, you load a lot of material has to overcome various difficulties?
I shoot in a studio Thursday, with only a flash cobra (quite aggressive and noisy), and from what I said premises are quite dark, what advice or tips can you me provide for proper lighting?
(Equipped D700 - 85 mm 50mm 1.4 or 1.8)
Hi
June 10th, 2009 at 24:25
For the first issue you present, I prefer the second photo at first. I like the attitude, framing, light and background.
As for your test with the plant, it seems that it is given a beautiful image.
Regarding the technique of shooting in B & W in RAW, I do exactly the same thing when I want the b & b in the end. This effectively allows a quick overview.
Question (probably stupid) that came to the end of reading your article with your two B & W (that of the other photograohe and yours) they have ultimately made the same?
Very good idea to vote for the next topic. The tilt interested.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:27
It's great to be able to participate in projects like this. However it must be difficult to achieve some great pictures "on the job."
I commend this work without nets
Bravo!
June 10th, 2009 at 1:19
Waoooow beautiful portraits! I'm a fan!
)
Full compliance with Ben. In addition given the working conditions we can say you got "insured grâââve"
Waooow!
(I found just the left side of Alain Hubert too clear).
June 10th, 2009 at 1:46
Hi,
It's been a while since I had not stopped in the corner .... and once you have committed a great article!
Belle highlighted!
June 10th, 2009 at 2:24
Congratulations on this series, again in a new genre, and you're doing really well
Personal first tears! which I think must be due to the light of the skylight. Nothing beats a beautiful natural light properly operated and worked.
I guess because of the time for each shoot you do not dare money. The would you do if you could have enough time with each of them?
And finally I agree with Sophie about his question made between you and another photographer ..
June 10th, 2009 at 3:17
just beautiful!
very pro
June 10th, 2009 at 3:23
gk: yep, a real mouth and pure personality, it makes me want to reshoot
Eddy: I like the dark side, for it depends on the focal length of the frame I'm looking for the tight framing I prefer the 85 will deform less
Thomas C: Thank you!
WeBmaliN: Ya not really incredible Mr. Paul is a regular media, he gave me what I cherchrais was the first take, for the material I prefer to work in available light, if I have no light I install what work
http://www.photob.be/2009/02/02/eclairage-nomade-portraits-statik-dancing/
For your photos, I would work a maximum sensitivity with a high objot that opens and be as discreet as possible!
Sophie: It's a matter of choice, I like the first lot
For the work of another photographer, our images and renderings are different but that does not shock me
Tom: I like this kind of conditions I work under pressure
Bottacchi Guido: Thanks for the side clear enough, it goes pretty well in print, and given the impressive dynamics of a D3 RAW, I could lower the brightness a bit
Jimmy: Thank you!
Alex: Yes it was an idea, but I prefer to be comfortable with a carrier before testing on this type of project
June 10th, 2009 at 3:42
Another publication, and not least Féloche, champagne and petits fours!
Superb, especially the color version of the portrait of Alain Hubert: the white balance a bit cold fits perfectly.
It should generate quite a fright to work fast and well with people like these? As you say, no room for error.
(Thanks to the orchid to have served as "light lining").
How it goes from one point of view artistic collaboration with another photographer, the "leg" (in view of his photos on his site) is different from yours?
Connected and your projects are alike, progress and diversification, it's all good! Bravo.
PS: it has nothing to do with your work, but I personally think that the font chosen for the Cover denotes the photos.
PS2: I voted! (This season
)
June 10th, 2009 at 5:21
Good Game!
June 10th, 2009 at 6:06
The photograph selected by Mr. Hubert actual output of the lot. Her face, her features, her eyes, everything is full of meaning, if you have the opportunity to reshoot the jump of course.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:42
Wow I taped the first direct rendering ... not blur out of focus, not fuzzy net ... well it was not easy to be Farie the sharpness of the eyes (mouarf)
Good luck
Very nice B & B.
Alain Hubert reminds me of a US player ... A real mouth.
The last, you feel the pro poses. You have seized on the moment hat.
We'll meet you in the discipline of which generate the max visitor and fan: THE PORTRAIT!
You manage
(For votes, will insist on the objectivity of the people ... you might have anywhere from 100% otherwise)
June 11th, 2009 at 3:36
Excellent, very good job. The first 3 are really something qque
June 11th, 2009 at 8:15
Beautiful portraits, really!
Different from what you normally do and that's precisely what I like most!
Congratulations, Ben!
June 11th, 2009 at 8:18
A large preference for the former, thank you to share these moments of creation.
June 11th, 2009 at 9:33
They are beautiful all Belgians! Bravo, great job, as usual!
June 11th, 2009 at 9:55
I think your amazing portraits. by far the most beautiful portraits seen on the web a long time.
great job!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:49
Rahhh is superb as always, what light management! and thank you for some explanations
June 12th, 2009 at 24:23
Ralala, it's still a shame to have such coverage with such potential! I understand that the book could not focus on personality, but the next mosaic and slobbery typo .. Anyway, it's not the issue
Otherwise, I'm still as much a fan, I expect a new section forward, and when I see it is published, I devoured in minutes.
My favorite photo is the one you have selected Mr. Lemaigre, the lighting is really the character.
Good luck
June 12th, 2009 at 1:57
Hello,
Incredible the first picture. It changes what you do normally but it's still you. This is changing and in the right direction.
Fantastic that first photo. This is almost like the illustration, I am amazed.
You should actually reshoot the occasion. It is more than photogenic.
June 14th, 2009 at 11:25
The second black and white may be a little too frontal, white mass, but in fact it déchiiire color. The other two are really good, my preference is still the first. Great, then the light!