New Website

Great news! This blog will no longer serve as my official website. I'm test driving a new site. The address is still the same, www.benwattsstudios.com 

Portfolio Building Workshop - May 12

I'm pleased to announce that I will be hosting a portfolio building workshop at Ben Watts Studios on May 12 from 10-6. This day is intended to assist newer models in getting quality images for their portfolio at a reduced rate. If you're an actor or actress, this is also a good way to get inexpensive heads shots. I've worked with new/inexperienced models and can help coach you to get great images.

$50 gets you one hour with as many looks as you please. 

$25 reserves your spot.

Ben Watts Studios is an 800 square foot shared space in Sandy Springs on Roswell Rd. 

Email info@benwattsstudios.com to book your session.

Warmer weather=outdoor shoots and new retouching methods

Greetings all!

Warmer weather is finally on the way and this is the perfect time to book outdoor portraits (senior pics, couples pics, family pics). Here are some favorites of mine from when the weather was a little warmer!

Click on picture to enlarge
Click here to view rates!
-Senior portraits
-Fashion
-Editorial
-Head shots

Don't see what you need here? Feel free to contact me via email at info@benwattsstudios.com

New Retouching Methods

I've picked up some new methods for retouching that I feel will be very helpful in making shots look more organic and just real

I''d be remiss if I didn't link which methods I was referring to. Shout out to the SLR lounge for their youtube tutorial. Here's a link to the page - it's 10 videos long but well worth the watch!

SLR Lounge portrait retouching

I used it on this shot from an older shoot that I did and loved the results. It encourages less "air brushing" to avoid that "photoshopped" fake look.  It's a detailed method, but very worth it.
Thank you for stopping by. Please forward all booking to info@benwattsstudios.com

Until next time!

ATL Loft shoot - Editorial Work

So, I rented a loft downtown to bolster my editorial style work - and I was very please with the results. This is a preview of what I got..

Kayte and Katie - hard light vs soft light

Greetings from Ben Watts Studios,

Today I'm sharing some shots from a recent shoot I did with Kayte and Katie at my Sandy Springs studio.

Kayte

Kayte

Katie

 

I also wanted to offer two images from another recent shoot I did with Keni Cole to illustrate hard light vs soft light (a mini lesson if you will.)

This picture was taken with a soft box camera left. If you notice, the shadows on the model, as well as the light is very soft (hence the term). I often find soft light to be perfect for offering up a subject in a very flattering way. When I think soft light, I think grace and delicacy. 

This picture to the right was taken with a strobe outfitted with just a reflector. It was placed directly in front of the model about 5-10 inches above her height and angled down. The harder light makes for harder shadows; they really cut. In my opinion, this lighting is perfect for an edgy and bold look

Achieving a soft light or hard light set up can be simple.

For soft light, my favorite piece of equipment is a soft box. Ensure that it's a big one to make sure that your subject is lit evenly. My go to lighting set up is a soft box camera left or right and a reflector. It's always a good place to start and then expand on as your shoot continues. You can also shoot through an umbrella or reflect with an umbrella as well (I'll try to provide pics in future posts).

 

 This is an example of my go to lighting set up. The soft box was set up camera right; raised above the subject. The reflector is camera left and reflects just enough light to help create shadows. It's a more dramatic lighting then a fully lit subject.

For hard light, there's nothing simpler than a monolight (I use Flashpoints, Alien bee is also popular) and a reflector. Most monolights come with a reflector, so there's nothing extra to purchase. Positioning it directly in front of the subject is a good way to evenly light them if you only have one light at your disposal. If you have more than one, I've found success with aiming one at the subject from camera left or right and one at my background to eliminate shadows on the background (if you want that). 

This is an example of the technique mentioned. Pointing that light at the background not only eliminates shadows on the background, but also makes for nice back lighting. 

I hope that the info above was useful. Please send any questions, comments or booking requests to info@benwattsstudios.com.

Recent work and a promise

I promise to make at least 2-3 posts a week (going for more!)
I''ll be talking everything from photography to music. Port building, gear, songwriting; what's new in the world of Ben Watts.

Here is a sampling of some of my recent shoots. All shots were taken at Ben Watts Studios in Sandy Springs. For questions on lighting techniques, please drop me a line at info@benwattsstudios. To book a session, please contact me via that email address as well.