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Ben Syverson
6-Oct-2010, 11:31
I'm finally wrapping up a portrait project I've been working on for the past few months, in cooperation with a nonprofit named Upwardly Global (http://www.upwardlyglobal.org/).

If you're in or around Chicago on October 15, and feel like contributing to a worthy cause, consider attending the one-night exhibition (https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/fundraiser/journey.php) and fundraiser which showcases my work.

The exhibition prints were expertly printed to an impressive 40x50" by LFF's own Bill Peters (http://photomagica.com/).


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5057876022_7effbe7f00_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5057876022/)
Larisa


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5057262783_a930c9ff4f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5057262783/)
Helen


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5057262361_ac6574de44_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5057262361/)
Nelson

Ben Syverson
6-Oct-2010, 11:32
Two more...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5057262067_ba705e8d1f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5057262067/)
Sarah and Tiago


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5057261649_53629b5c59_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5057261649/)
Ethel


4 more to follow tomorrow

JamesFromSydney
6-Oct-2010, 17:49
Nice -- I like the subtle lighting.

BarryS
6-Oct-2010, 18:09
Wow--very nice work. Wish I was around to see those huge prints.

Ben Syverson
6-Oct-2010, 18:18
Thanks guys!

Ben Syverson
7-Oct-2010, 11:27
4 more as promised


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5059925385_9dcac16775_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5059925385/)
Najim


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5059923913_2b37a2b0be_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5059923913/)
Gaby


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5060535944_db0839374f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5060535944/)
Achille


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5060535518_770ba5e763_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/5060535518/)
Monica

bvstaples
7-Oct-2010, 12:21
I like them all very much, but the one thing that bothers me is the inconsistency in the lighting (which I'm bad at, so who am I to criticize). For instance, Nelson shows what I'm talking about best: See how dark the background is on the lower half of the picture. Anyway, despite my critique, great set of photos.

Brian

Ben Syverson
7-Oct-2010, 12:31
Thanks Brian!

Yeah, Nelson's portrait wound up pretty underexposed -- it was on location so I didn't have the control of the studio. I should have pushed in for more of a close-up.

Overall, I didn't want the lighting to be 100% identical between portraits because I was worried it would be too cookie cutter or mugshot-like. Instead, I tailored the light for each subject, hoping that the direction of the light and neutral background would provide some unity.

mdm
11-Oct-2010, 18:25
Thank you for posting. They are wonderful. I think simple, honest and dignified portraiture is the best of what photography offers the world, everything else is just a pretty picture in the end.

David

tbeaman
11-Oct-2010, 23:57
I honestly look forward to seeing new LF images from you, Ben. These don't disappoint.

Struan Gray
12-Oct-2010, 00:46
Ben, these would be great portraits in any format, but the clarity and directness of even the web-sized jpgs really appeals - which I assume is the result of using big sheets of film.