Peru was a BLAST. There is no other way to describe it. It was a solid man-trip fully packaged with a fellow photographer, two-dollar meals, desert dune buggies, Inca Kola, and too many stray dogs to count. The first few days were spent in Miraflores which is in the more developed area of Peru. Miraflores has Beautiful coastlines, beautiful waves and some rad people. I have tons of photos to share so I am going to release them in small amounts. Here is a set from our first few days in Miraflores. Enjoy!
The time has come. I am back for peru and ready to start bragging about it. It was a BLAST! I will be posting photos over the next week (ish) but for now just a teaser video. Some shots in this were by my travel buddy John Taylor. Enjoy.
This is my first in a series of profiles I will be doing on local artists. I met Aaron through my brother and he has become great friend of my own. Check out his WEBSITE and watch the video!
Well Im off to Peru! I will be flying into Lima on Thursday and trekking around the country shooting until the 26th. If you email or call me please keep in mind that I may not be able to respond or even receive them until I return to the states. Sorry for the inconvenience! Be on the lookout for TONS of blog posts when I get back. See you soon America!
I have talked about the importance of inspiration here before and I am still a firm believer in constantly looking for things that push your creative buttons. A fellow photographer recently inspired me to make an online vision wall. A vision wall is a wall in a house or office that is full of photos that inspire you. I have created a blog that I am going to use as an online vision wall where I will post anything that inspires me from music to videos to photos. If you are interested in where I draw inspiration or just want to look around feel free to check out and bookmark THE WALL.
monika - Great!!! I love the light and she is such a beauty!!!
CT - Love her facial structure and her side profile. Gorgeous mouth.
Some questions for you Ben if you don't mind.
How early in the morning were you out?
Were you shooting without reflectors?
Spot metering or did you simply just go manual?
Love the morning light!
Ben - Thanks! We were out at from about 630-9am. As far as those other details... Keep an eye out for them in the magazine I will be releasing at the end of the summer!
Kell - I love that you've embraced her natural colouring and not just Photoshopped out all her freckles. Freckles are one of the cutest aspects of redheads in my opinion!
Calgary Wedding Photographer - I love these. Your style is awesome, I am all, in awe and stuff. :) Gorgeous model too.
Kat Harris - Ben. Your work is inspirational! Your colors rock.
On Saturday I shot with Megan Henderson in the morning to catch some of that beautiful light that I usually miss. Yen Ryder did hair for this test and Tracy Upson did make up. Enjoy!
Your best friend, Donnie - I like how different the facial expressions are from your normal photos.
Athena - Yes, Donnie, these abnormal photos are very nice.
Sarah - i reeeeeally enjoy the lighting in these. i just bought my 50mm 1:4 so i have been trying to capture shots like this- with the sun in the background, some nice flares, but my models get lost in the shadows. ive tried reflectors but it doesnt quite work. maybe im just doing it wrong.
any tips ben? thanks!
Ben - Thanks! Sarah, I am actually going to be putting out a magazine at the end of the summer and one of the articles in it is all about shooting backlit! Be on the lookout!
Athena - I'm looking at these again and noticing it would be really hard to pinpoint where they were taken, especially the ones in the marsh. Looks like marsh, but also looks like maybe plains. And in the first two, the trees (I guess) in the background look almost like they could be hills. Did you place the chair on purpose so those cattails (or whatever those plants are) would be in focus in the shot?
Kate MacPherson - The black and white one...that expression...achingly beautiful.
Lately I have been getting plenty of emails and messages asking for tips and pointers on a few things like lighting, flare, working with models, etc. I have been toying with the idea of releasing a magazine and with all of these emails that idea has been solidified.
The summer is my time for testing and being creative so I have decided that I will release a magazine at the end of each summer that includes a few different things. It will include a large selection of my work from the summer accompanied by tutorials, articles, tips and some behind the scenes from my shoots. This way I will be pushed to be creative and shoot stronger work every summer and it will work my brain and help others advance in their work. I have already been working on an article about the importance of testing and how to do it, shooting backlit and a few others.
Now, why am I posting this blog? I need your feedback! I know a lot of you have already written me with questions but I would love to hear if you have any suggestions for articles or anything else. Feel free to send me an email at Ben@BenSasso.com with any thing you want to know/learn about! Thanks!
Since I hate posting without including a photo… why not a photo of the DESIGNER who will be working on the magazine!
Mr Lentz - Great idea. I'd be interested in a marketing section. How to do it for your commercial work as well as weddings.
shari - can't wait! I am definitely interested!
I am wondering HOW to hook up with companies for commercial work? Like the Ember work you just did. And how to find models?
As far as shooting goes, I'd love to hear about how you interact with the models/subjects - like directing/posing tips... I am still working on this and trying to take control and be a director is sometimes hard for me...especially helping those who feel uncomfortable/awkward in front of the lens. any tips on this would be appreciated!
post-processing tips are always appreciated as well!
so happy you are going to do this!
ingrid - can't wait to see more of your work-- where was this taken/photographer?
CT - That is TOTALLY awesome news! That would really be helpful to someone like me who loves photography and looks up to photographers like yourself. Thanks for sharing....... its guys like you and Chase Jarvis that totally gain the respect of everyone else!
Ben - Thanks for the comments and emails! INGRID, I took it in the Mountains of Malibu a few weeks back.
Hannah - That's great news! I would love an article on lighting... i really love how you utilize natural light and would like an inside look on that. How can we get a hold of this magazine and when does the first one come out?
Ben - Hannah: That article is actually already written! Keep an eye on the blog later in August for the release!
Dean - super excited for the magazine!! i would definitely agree that a lighting article would be perfect. Maybe also something on networking and getting your name out there. Also your travels are also quite interesting!
by Ben
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