Ansan Valley Rock Festival 2013

Here are some shots from the 2013 Ansan Valley Rock Festival in Ansan, South Korea. Artists include: Fun., The XX, Coheed and Cambria, Steve Vai, 2nd Moon, 3rd Line Butterfly, Vampire Weekend, and Cat Power.


Ansan Valley Rock Festival, 2013 - Images by Ben Weller

The Other Hundred

A woman tends her field in Busan. Copyright Ben Weller/www.wellerpix.com. 2013

I'm happy to announce that a personal project I have been working on for the past 6 months was selected for publication in The Other Hundred, a photo book celebrating the lives of the world's working class. My story looks at the urban farmers of Busan,  people who tend their fields amid the sprawl and development of South Korea's second largest city. The Other Hundred book will feature the work of some of the world's top documentary photographers, and is set to be published in late 2013.

Got a nice promo from Wonderful Machine this month. It's nice to be featured next to some truly excellent photographers.

Here are my favorite images from 2012, including images from the Philippines, Malaysia, the US, Japan, and South Korea.


myPOY 2012 - Images by Ben Weller

Silla University Dance Program - Images by Ben Weller

Made some updates to my portfolio. If you haven't checked it out already take a look at www.wellerpix.com

Busan International Film Festival 2012

I've been having a great time covering the Busan International Film Festival. Great weather, beautiful people, always a chance for some distinctive shots. You can check out my pictures here, and also over at Busan Haps, where you can read some excellent film reviews.


Busan International Film Festival 2012 - Images by Ben Weller

Bull Meets Bull: South Korean Bullfighting

Festival season in Korea has been blessed with wonderfully warm weather. So far I've been to the beautiful Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival and the soju-fueled Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival. Here's a slideshow from the bullfights. Enjoy!


Bull Meets Bull: South Korean Bullfighting - Images by Ben Weller

Dog Meat Market

I came across this market while working on my ongoing project: the outdoor markets of South Korea. Let's just say this one was a bit different. I only worked here for about 5 minutes as people were telling me not to take pictures and the atmosphere was quickly becoming threatening. Having the 70-200mm helped for getting long shots, but it's also quite conspicuous. I'll be going back soon to collect audio--the noise in the market was overwhelming.


South Korean Dog Meat Market - Images by Ben Weller

Arbuckle Rodeo

Photos from the Arbuckle Rodeo Show in Burnsville, NC


Arbuckle Rodeo - Images by Ben Weller

Cattail Creek, NC July 4 ATV Parade

July 4 ATV Parade - Images by Ben Weller

Record snow hits eastern South Korea

A huge snowstorm hit the east coast of South Korea today. Yonhap News reports it was the biggest snowfall in a century.



Record Snowfall in Busan - Images by Ben Weller

Ice Fishing

A large ice fishing festival in Gangwon-do, South Korea, was cancelled due to the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease this month, but hundreds of people still turned out to the frozen lakes and rivers of the northern province to fish for Bing-au, or "ice fish." Some who turn out are amateurs, others pro's. People bring bait and tackle, warm clothes, food, drink, heaters and cooking equipment. The fish are plentiful but small, and are fried and then served with cucumber.


Ice Fishing - Images by Ben Weller

Artist Profile: Britt Irvin

Art inspires art. Here are a few photographs from a shoot I did last weekend with Britt Irvin, a talented and supremely cool artist based here in Busan.


Artist Profile: Britt Irvin - Images by Ben Weller

Her work can be seen here: http://www.brittkee.com/

Tear sheets

I recently updated my portfolio to include tear sheets, an important feature that allows potential clients to see how my photographs might be used in their own publications. Art buyers need to know that a photographer can not only make pretty pictures, but that those pictures can be integrated into a publication and tell a compelling story.

Moving Markets

For a good taste of the hustle and bustle of life in Korea--and the food--just hit up any of the country's numerous outdoor markets. Busan has some of the best. Here are the markets of Oncheonjang and Deokpo. Neither is as famous as the ones around Jagalchi, but for a photographer they're a great place to spend a few hours. You can even do a little shopping while you're there.



Korean Markets - Images by Ben Weller

City Park Jazz, Denver

I got a chance to go to City Park Jazz in Denver last Sunday. The weekly summer jazz performance next to the lake at City Park attracts some 5,000 Denverites and visitors each week. Barbecue grills and blankets fill the green spaces, children and couples dance next to the stage and the beer and wine flow freely. It looked like we were going to get rained out by one of many recent thunderstorms, but people rode out the brief downpour and the music continued. All that was left was a beautiful sky and when the sun broke through the clouds it reminded me of why, as a photographer, I love this part of the country. There's something qualitatively different about the light here, turning the outdoors into a huge studio, with the studio lights in the sky. 

I was just shooting some personal stuff, taking advantage of the light, when I met Megan Zacher, a graphic designer with ZebraGraphics who donates her services to the City Park Jazz concert series. She asked to use some of my pictures on the City Park Jazz website. I was happy to do it. Not only is it good for the soul to help out others, but sometimes doing non-paid work (in this case it was "work" I was already doing, and City Park Jazz is a free, non-profit event) in exchange for a link to your own website is a good way to increase your web traffic and get more eyes, and potential clients, looking at your photography. See the pictures here, and next time your in Denver in the summer, don't miss this fun, free event.

Wonderful Machine

I'm happy to announce that I'm now under the representation of Wonderful Machine

They've got a roster of really talented photographers doing everything from photojournalism to fashion and corporate photography. I feel honored to be among them.

Tea Party, Bloomington, Ind.

Tea Party, Tax Day, Bloomington, Indiana - Images by Ben Weller

Pentaport International Rock Festival--Korea

Pentaport International Rock Festival--Korea - Images by Ben Weller