Urban Decay & Urban Exploration - Bangkok. Having spent the past five years in Asia my photographic subjects have been wide and varied. From abandoned buildings, market places, urban upheaval in China, to the rural landscapes of the Pearl River Delta. Now living in Thailand, I have begun to embrace a totally new style of photography: My most recent project looks at Urban Decay in Thailand, and specifically Pattaya and Bangkok. When we picture Thailand, it is rare, on any account, we conjure up images of Urban Decay. Nevertheless, the sprawling suburbs of Bangkok are riddled with such areas of interest. Old and abandoned factories, temples, hospitals and shopping malls.
To see beauty, is to look at humanity as it lives in and amongst Urban Decay, and more often than not, in Asia, that which is no longer economically viable takes on the simple practicality of human nature. Where you find Urban Decay in Asia, you also meet with some of its most impoverished residents, looking to eke out a living from the remnants of the past. Project: HDR and Tone Mapping. Above: Nikon D5100 with 18-55mm lens. This image was created by converting the file into three separate exposure values before exporting to Photomatix HDR software, for exposure fusion and tone mapping.
Further processing was done using Photoshop. I've saved a selection of the best High Dynamic Range (HDR) 'tone mapping' images at my Flickr favorites. They're about the best examples, with respects to processing skill, photographic subject and composition, that I've personally found in the genre. Most of the photographers represented there show a large body of professional work that's worth exploring a little further. To gain more insight into the process of HDR, in general terms. My Tone Mapping Process: My current production method, also-known-as, "Unsharp Masking": using a standard image editing package with .jpeg image format.
It's a little like chemistry: you've got to believe in the photographs ability to produce results using this method. Work by Ben Hodson. Street Art. Graffiti. STREET ART UTOPIA | We declare the world as our canvas. Street Art Beyond the Spray Can - Design. This post is in partnership with Pepsi Refresh Project When you hear the phrase “street art,” there’s almost no limit to what you can do.
Check out moss graffiti by geniuses like Helen Nodding (a.k.a British artist Ladybird) and Anna Garforth. Michael William Kirby out of Baltimore does mind-blowing paintings with chalk, or there’s Joshua Allen Harris’plastic bag creatures tied to vents that come alive only when the NYC subway goes by—and don’t forget French artist OX, who takes over billboards to make bold graphic statements. From trees to statues to signs, Magda Sayeg been all over the world with her Houston group, Knitta Please. DC-based Mark Jenkins and Sandra Fernandez use a less cozy medium for their message. Does all this art talk inspire you to take to the streets? Pick A Medium Find a material that speaks to you. Educate Yourself Take a look at what others are doing. Get Noticed Think about what you’re trying to say and how to say it. Get Neighborly. Pattaya Graffiti: The Walls. Pattaya Graffiti on Flickr: This is my little sideline project: I'm currently running around Pattaya to document all the Graffiti found here.
It seems to be the trend, to use Graffiti, in some respects, as a form of unofficial advertising for local tattoo shops etc. These works however, are not as prolific or wide spread as one might find in western cities; predominantly found around the Sukhumvit Rd and Pattaya Klang area of the city (in a building I refer to as the Bat Cave). And, exhibit more like a gallery of works, rather than random street art; less intellectual than Banksy, nevertheless, they exhibit a high-quality of workmanship by accomplished street artists.
I had no idea why I started this project. Get the flash player here: Work by Ben Hodson ▲Title: Pattaya GraffitiDescription: Graffiti and Urbex in and around Pattaya-BangkokEquipment: Nikon Coolpix L120 & Nikon D5100Location: ThailandConcept to Completion: On Going. Urban exploration. Urbex. UrBex Daily. Talk Urbex … Photography. HDR. Street Style. Bangkok Urban-Gothic. I tend to took at it this way: photography is about capturing a moment. I thrive on the idea of spontaneity. Yes, you could drag along a whole production crew with a middle age house wife to manage the sand-pit, and thousands of dollars worth of equipment to compliment people's egos. However, regardless of budget, in some instances it's the emotional context that takes priority.
Two of the most important things to remember when working with people, is that, everyone has their own personality. And as a photographer it's your job to try and capture individually with honesty and truth. Beauty comes in many forms. In this set I choose to shoot in Black & White as the contrast between model and graffiti work well. Work by Ben Hodson ▲Title: Bangkok Urban-GothicDescription: Graffiti and Urbex in and around Pattaya-BangkokEquipment: Nikon Coolpix L120. Bangkok Urban-Casual Street Wear. Well, it's a hard job ... and, without my usual coffee fix.
You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get a good model here in Bangkok. I usually settle for using a ladyboy; "Ladyboy!? " you say. Nevertheless, their skills come naturally, with confidence, and it's just too hard to tell the difference at times. I met lovely Cate from Chang Rai a few weeks ago. And she expressed an interest in doing a modeling shoot with me - what could I say? So, with minimal equipment, and flying by the seat of a black G-string, we were off.
The end product has little digital altering, other than the first two images in the set. Work by Ben Hodson ▲Title: Bangkok Urban-Casual Street WearDescription: Graffiti and Urbex in and around Pattaya-BangkokEquipment: Nikon Coolpix L120. THINK TWICE LERT by lert. Thai Style: Bangkok Country Chic. The simple things in life: photography for me is about capturing a moment - I say this often. Sometimes, I wish for better equipment. Sometimes, it's all about light - my craving for better light.
Sometimes, it's the ambiance of the moment which lends itself to capturing emotion, rather than a higher level of technical craft. Everyone has their own personality, and as a photographer it's your job to capture it - the point. Moment is key: that particular blend of light, mood and circumstance; a combination of factors that create magic. Moments of lesser complexity, those of minimal equipment, then letting the individuality of your model shine, and as such, you should be rewarded. Today my model 'Love' from Bangkok: I choose to shoot her in a traditional Thai setting, one that compliments her particular style and look.
Work by Ben Hodson ▲Title: Thai Style: Bangkok Country ChicDescription: Model Shoot in and around BangkokEquipment: Nikon Coolpix L120. Pattaya Graffiti: Urban Cosplay Model Shoot. Bangkok Street Wear. Vintage Siam was shot using a Canon EOS 500D & 18-55mm Lens at a location near Siam Country Club. This particular photoshoot was well organized with regards to logistics and equipment. A small crew of two and model. The location: an old restored train and station. Part of the Siam Country Club parks and garden complex about half an hours drive from Pattaya City, Thailand. As previously stated, in regards to my Urbex photography, this set-up took a little extra prep, both in respects to equipment and logistics. In this case, a high-end Canon and lens combination was extremely effective. With a fantastic wardrobe, one that fit in beautifully on location. Processing to Black and White: As seen in my previous post: "Model Shoot: Siam Country Club".
Work by Ben Hodson ▲Title:Model Shoot: Siam Country ClubDescription: Model Shoot in and around Siam Country ClubEquipment: Canon EOS 500D 18-55mm Lens & Nikon Coolpix L120. Urbex :: Siam. Motorcycle Tours, Pattaya, Thailand. Welcome to Pattaya Motorcycle Tours: We offer the best tailored motorcycle and off-road tours in Southeast Thailand: from day trips to Big Buddha, through the rural scenic areas that surrounds Pattaya; Rice fields, Tapioca and Banana plantations, to fishing villages, that dot the coastline of this region of Thailand; and with beautiful Buddhist temple complexes, all within easy riding distance from your hotel. Packages include beginner bikes to advanced: we offer a full range of bikes, from 125cc automatics to larger 1000cc Sports and Touring motorcycles, for the more advanced rider.
Motorcycle tours are a great way to take in all that this region of Thailand has on offer. It's our aim at PMT to bring you the best tour possible, off-the-beaten-track, and full of adventure. Day tours start from Baht3000 - all inclusive. Please contact me for more details on advanced tour packages and tailored tours and we will be happy to assist you in building a perfect tour itinerary. : : Night Life : : The Sanctuary of Truth. Project: HDR and Tone Mapping.