Sample NON retouched from "In the Mood"

benjikan · 01-19-2008, 05:29 AM

Just thought I would post a RAW off the camera unretouched sample from my 20 page story "In the Mood" based on the film "In the Mood for Love" here for you all...

Best Wishes
Ben

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amateur6 · 01-19-2008, 06:31 AM

Beautiful shot, Ben!

What, if anything, do you plan to do in post? To me, the only big distraction is the flare by the male model's head (and that's certainly subjective).

The others (to a much lesser degree) are 1) the hot point at the top of the lamp on the woman's side, 2) the hot spot on her forehead, 3) the reflection on the man's side door, above the framed picture, 4) to a certain extent the window behind her (it's the only cool light source and seems to pop a bit too much) and 5) the long vertical hot spots on the door frames between them (especially on her side).

But to do all of those might be a bit heavy-handed!

PaulAndAPentax · 01-19-2008, 09:39 AM

Ben,

This is from the new model? It's exceptional. What ISO?

btw...I like the light behind the models head. I'm guessing it was purposeful. It doesn't distract me as much as it draws me to the models face. The shadows are exceptional also.

Richard3550 · 01-19-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by PaulAndAPentax

Ben,

This is from the new model? It's exceptional. What ISO?

K10D at 160 ISO according to the EXIF.

benjikan · 01-19-2008, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by PaulAndAPentax

Ben,

This is from the new model? It's exceptional. What ISO?

btw...I like the light behind the models head. I'm guessing it was purposeful. It doesn't distract me as much as it draws me to the models face. The shadows are exceptional also.

I sought out the light behind the male models head..I love playing with flare. I shot this with the K10D and used the Pentax 12-24 for the whole shoot at 160 iso. Mixed flash heads and tungsten.

Ben

roentarre · 01-19-2008, 12:59 PM

Wow, Ben. The image of professional caliber is just in another realm. Admirer of this wonderful work. She seems to be in your port folio a lot lately?

Really enjoyable to view this art piece on a Sunday morning. I am going to get a cup of coffee soon

blinxdk · 01-19-2008, 01:47 PM

I hope you will post the retouched image too, would be interresting to see how much a professional photographer's final result differs from the initial raw.

PaulAndAPentax · 01-20-2008, 05:08 AM

Well Ben,

Excellent work...I hope one day I have the time and funds to fly over to France and watch you at work. Your work is excellent. The shadows and light here add perfectly to the mood you are trying to portray. I know little about light position but I just bought a book about that to learn something of the art. I also like how you were able to negate noise (and maintain sharpness) in this shot in a dark(ened) room. Even my well thought out shots (in RAW) are a bit noisier in low light.

christinelandon · 01-24-2008, 05:29 AM

Ah, that wonderful early '60s European look...in modern resolution/saturation! Very nice studio work, Ben...I look at this and begin imaging variants...a rainy night in the open background...a Dreamagon effect...heightened plasticity of skin textures for a pronounced Madame Tussaud's look...a tribute to your imagination, that it sparks others'!

benjikan · 01-24-2008, 03:03 PM

Another Sample from the same story...

MRRiley · 01-25-2008, 10:51 AM

Awesome as usual Ben. What amazes me about your shoots is the general level of complexity in both the set and the lighting. I've recently made a foray into the world of models (shooting them, not being one. LOL) and its by no means easy. Would love your opinion of some of my shots if you wouldn't mind providing some critique. Let me know and I'll PM you.

benjikan · 01-25-2008, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by MRRiley

Awesome as usual Ben. What amazes me about your shoots is the general level of complexity in both the set and the lighting. I've recently made a foray into the world of models (shooting them, not being one. LOL) and its by no means easy. Would love your opinion of some of my shots if you wouldn't mind providing some critique. Let me know and I'll PM you.

Thanks Dude...With Pleasure.

Ben

svenphoto · 01-28-2008, 03:11 AM

Ben ,these are stunning pic's, and i really like the fact it was shot with a camera i own myself. ofcourse i dont have the skills (yet....

,haha), but its good to know these shots are not only mid format pic's.
Now I am completely new to studio work/location , but really want to start. do i need strobes or fixed lights? i guess they are both usefull, but i don't know where to start. i have a 540 flash with whaletail diffuser. though to work with subtle light like you did, are these fixed lights? do they need to be pricey?

thanks, and keep the pics coming

greetz, sven

ofcourse all help is welcome!

http://svenphoto.myjalbum.net/

Photo Tramp · 01-28-2008, 03:34 AM

Hi Ben;
Just a short note here to say as others have, great shots. The use of light and shadow is defiantly one of your photographic traits and styles. These are great RAW shots and would love to see how they are processed. As always love your work.

Jonson PL · 01-28-2008, 04:34 PM

So this is just straight RAW from the camera; looks great. I have very little PP experience, but it is good to see the quality possible to obtain before even starting to do anything to the image.

Like the second shot as well, could be straight from a movie scene. The picture tells a whole tale by itself.

I haven’t seen the movie, but I guess it’s the one by Kar Wai Wong

Thanks for showing

01-24-2008, 03:03 PM	#10
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310 Original Poster	Another Sample from the same story Another Sample from the same story... Attached Images

01-28-2008, 03:11 AM	#13
svenphoto New Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: amsterdam, the netherlands Posts: 18	Ben ,these are stunning pic's, and i really like the fact it was shot with a camera i own myself. ofcourse i dont have the skills (yet....,haha), but its good to know these shots are not only mid format pic's. Now I am completely new to studio work/location , but really want to start. do i need strobes or fixed lights? i guess they are both usefull, but i don't know where to start. i have a 540 flash with whaletail diffuser. though to work with subtle light like you did, are these fixed lights? do they need to be pricey? thanks, and keep the pics coming greetz, sven ofcourse all help is welcome! http://svenphoto.myjalbum.net/ Last edited by svenphoto; 01-28-2008 at 03:17 AM.

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01-19-2008, 06:31 AM	#2
amateur6 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Gallery Posts: 177	Beautiful shot, Ben! What, if anything, do you plan to do in post? To me, the only big distraction is the flare by the male model's head (and that's certainly subjective). The others (to a much lesser degree) are 1) the hot point at the top of the lamp on the woman's side, 2) the hot spot on her forehead, 3) the reflection on the man's side door, above the framed picture, 4) to a certain extent the window behind her (it's the only cool light source and seems to pop a bit too much) and 5) the long vertical hot spots on the door frames between them (especially on her side). But to do all of those might be a bit heavy-handed!

01-19-2008, 09:39 AM	#3
PaulAndAPentax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 390	Ben, This is from the new model? It's exceptional. What ISO? btw...I like the light behind the models head. I'm guessing it was purposeful. It doesn't distract me as much as it draws me to the models face. The shadows are exceptional also.

01-19-2008, 09:59 AM	#4
Richard3550 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, AU Posts: 43	Originally posted by PaulAndAPentax Ben, This is from the new model? It's exceptional. What ISO? K10D at 160 ISO according to the EXIF.

01-19-2008, 11:21 AM	#5
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310 Original Poster	Originally posted by PaulAndAPentax Ben, This is from the new model? It's exceptional. What ISO? btw...I like the light behind the models head. I'm guessing it was purposeful. It doesn't distract me as much as it draws me to the models face. The shadows are exceptional also. I sought out the light behind the male models head..I love playing with flare. I shot this with the K10D and used the Pentax 12-24 for the whole shoot at 160 iso. Mixed flash heads and tungsten. Ben

01-19-2008, 12:59 PM	#6
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,788	Wow, Ben. The image of professional caliber is just in another realm. Admirer of this wonderful work. She seems to be in your port folio a lot lately? Really enjoyable to view this art piece on a Sunday morning. I am going to get a cup of coffee soon

01-19-2008, 01:47 PM	#7
blinxdk Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 52	I hope you will post the retouched image too, would be interresting to see how much a professional photographer's final result differs from the initial raw.

01-20-2008, 05:08 AM	#8
PaulAndAPentax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 390	Well Ben, Excellent work...I hope one day I have the time and funds to fly over to France and watch you at work. Your work is excellent. The shadows and light here add perfectly to the mood you are trying to portray. I know little about light position but I just bought a book about that to learn something of the art. I also like how you were able to negate noise (and maintain sharpness) in this shot in a dark(ened) room. Even my well thought out shots (in RAW) are a bit noisier in low light.

01-24-2008, 05:29 AM	#9
christinelandon Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 812	Ah, that wonderful early '60s European look...in modern resolution/saturation! Very nice studio work, Ben...I look at this and begin imaging variants...a rainy night in the open background...a Dreamagon effect...heightened plasticity of skin textures for a pronounced Madame Tussaud's look...a tribute to your imagination, that it sparks others'!

01-25-2008, 10:51 AM	#11
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	Awesome as usual Ben. What amazes me about your shoots is the general level of complexity in both the set and the lighting. I've recently made a foray into the world of models (shooting them, not being one. LOL) and its by no means easy. Would love your opinion of some of my shots if you wouldn't mind providing some critique. Let me know and I'll PM you.

01-25-2008, 04:43 PM	#12
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310 Original Poster	Originally posted by MRRiley Awesome as usual Ben. What amazes me about your shoots is the general level of complexity in both the set and the lighting. I've recently made a foray into the world of models (shooting them, not being one. LOL) and its by no means easy. Would love your opinion of some of my shots if you wouldn't mind providing some critique. Let me know and I'll PM you. Thanks Dude...With Pleasure. Ben

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01-28-2008, 03:34 AM	#14
Photo Tramp Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA. Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,041	Hi Ben; Just a short note here to say as others have, great shots. The use of light and shadow is defiantly one of your photographic traits and styles. These are great RAW shots and would love to see how they are processed. As always love your work.

01-28-2008, 04:34 PM	#15
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	So this is just straight RAW from the camera; looks great. I have very little PP experience, but it is good to see the quality possible to obtain before even starting to do anything to the image. Like the second shot as well, could be straight from a movie scene. The picture tells a whole tale by itself. I haven’t seen the movie, but I guess it’s the one by Kar Wai Wong Thanks for showing