Ben Allen
I am a Bristol and Derby based photographer with a passion for many different mediums of capturing images. As for people in my generation the digital camera was my introduction to photography, but as time has passed I have grown a love of using the analogue
processes.
Throughout my time taking photographs I have had the opportunity to use a variety of kit from Nikon/Canon SLR's, to top of the range Phase One medium format digital cameras. My experience with film is just as varied. I am a avid user of 35mm and 120 roll film, on a range of cameras, and have used 5x4 technical cameras.
As well as a wide knowledge of cameras, digital and film, I have a sound understanding of processes that happen behind the senses to create the final image. This includes the use of Profoto gear, a vast range of light modifiers and other equipment for use in the studio and on location. My skills continue into use of different software for image manipulation. I am a current user of Adobe's Lightroom and Photoshop programs alongside Nik Software. My film work follows a similar post processing path as my digital images, but there is the added step of developing the film myself. Pushing and pulling films to achieve a different look, along with varying development times to gain changes in contrast levels are some of the many tools I use will processing my film.
My practical experiences are also diverse. I have photographed a number of studio based shoots including professional head shots, family group photos and fashion clothing shoots. Outside of a controlled environment I have also taken photos of catwalk fashion shows, weddings and air-to-air formations. Capturing images of the natural landscape and the contrasting man-made cities is one of the many subjects I enjoy to photograph in my personal time.
With micro-breweries becoming much more popular than ever, and with the demand for the produce of these businesses being higher than ever, I wanted to photograph the
employees of one of Derby, England, largest micro-breweries. These people are often never recognised by the consumers of their labor, but without their hard work the produce can not be enjoyed by the lucky people who have tasted their real ale.
Set in Derby city center, tucked away in a small industrial estate off of a main road into the city, is the Dancing Duck Brewery. Founded by a husband and wife, creating their first brew in December 2015, now turning out around 750,000 pints in a year. With 25 different beers in their portfolio they are one, if not the biggest breweries in Derby, of which often take their names from local slang words and related to ducks such as ‘Ay up’. With only being a micro-brewery their ales are drunk mainly in the local region, but some that has been bottled travel as far as Brazil.
I wanted to show the employees working at the brewery in their normal work clothes. Having all of their hard work shown on their clothing, not just felt by the individual that has been put into the brewing process. Capturing what really goes into making a drink that so many people enjoy.
Website: www.benallenphotography.co.uk
Instagram: @benallenphoto