Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bensheehanphotography
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bensheehanphotography
I’m watching the LuLa Rich documentary (SO GOOD) and waiting to see if any of the story about their stealing art made it into the show/documentary. I helped research and find the art they stole for their clothing line and that process helped me when searching Lisa Saad’s composites. Update: at least one of the original artworks I sourced made it to the show. Episode 4, the one of the camera is my side-by-side. I think I found the owl too? There was at least 100 different designs I found before I gave up and let the others keep searching. For this to hit while I’m watching what started me on the road to breaking down images/art into tiny segments to find is kind of surreal.
This is all highly ironic to me since I’m now bringing you another Lisa Saad-esque photographer who is using stock images in their photography composites, claiming they are all his own original works and blocking those calling him out. Oh he’s won awards too with these images to boot.
Another shitty part of this story is that dogs are not allowed in most of these parks. When asked, he claims he got special permission and/or paid a steep sum to allow this to happen.
Look, there’s a niche for photographers who composite well and make compelling images. However, when they block/delete anyone asking about the original image, take credit as if the entire image is their original creation (see many of the replies about how he got his dog in these positions) there’s a problem. Especially when Ben is winning awards and offering mentoring to other photographers (where he claims these are all naturally lit images and doesn’t mention composites).
There’s likely more stock images he used and if I find them I’ll update as needed.
Original stock image // Finalist for the Dog Photography Awards (has since been revoked)
Original stock image (note the comments)
Original stock image // Image featured on SLR Lounge
Update 9/132021 @ 9:00PM EDT:
Ben has been removing photos from his Instagram and his Facebook that are composites.
A few were able to snag a couple more sources before they were gone.
Update 9/13/2021 @ 11:30PM EDT:
Ben has deleted/unpublished his Facebook Page and, as he told someone, any images that “they say” were in question in a reply to someone on Instagram (which is currently still up). However, Ben deleted way more than what was called out here, including this image below.
This image is still part of the Dog Photography Awards (photo on their Instagram, on their website stating it’s a top image of 2021) which clearly states that, “Each photographer must submit only images of which he is the creator and for which he owns the copyright.” and “…you may not use a photo or any part of it that you are not the author. “
Update 9/14/20201 @ 12:30PM EDT:
Overnight I had a slew of tips for additional sources for his images. Many of these are still on his Instagram (his Facebook Page is currently down).
Unknown original source (on dozens of HD Wallpaper pages)
Original stock image // Dog may be the same photo from an above image
Original stock image // Yet ANOTHER photo from the Dog Photography Awards
