Future Star: Ben Ruef – Skater, Surfer and Digital Artist (photos & videos)

There is an audible buzz around Coronado from local skaters, surfers and photographers about a talented 8th grader named Ben Ruef. This energetic, self-taught, 14-year-old can handle just about any wave (water-based or cement-based), capture every angle and still have time to get his homework done before bedtime.

The Coronado Times (CT) spent some time with Ben to learn more about his Coronado story and his passion for both still and moving photography.  Before you jump into the interview, be sure to watch this 2 minute video below:

CT: Tell our readers a little about yourself.  What brought your family to Coronado?  What’s your favorite class at Coronado Middle School?
BR: My family decided to move to Coronado from Singapore a few years back because it seemed like a safe place where it is easy to get from one place to another by bike or skateboard.  Our speculations were correct and I’ve loved being able to get myself everywhere on island whenever I need to.  Regarding school, I like math class because it is always a challenge (shout-out to Ms. Wertz).

CT: How did you first get interested in taking photos/videos?  When did it become a bigger part of your life?
BR: My photography career actually evolved from my skateboarding career.  I began by filming tricks for video parts but when I would go on trips to cool places with my family. I would shoot a lot of nature photography and got into time-lapse photography.  Then, I started going on trips more and more often just for the sole purpose of photography and filming.

Early days skating when Ben was only 11-years-old:

CT: Where do you find inspiration to get creative and spend time shooting?
BR: I’m inspired by so many people on social media such as Michael Shainblum, Chris Burkard and tons of others.  I started mimicking them in many ways before I developed my own style in photography/videography.

CT: Talk about a location that really blew your mind.  What was so special about that experience and getting to capture it?
BR: The first time I came to Yosemite I was amazed at the huge granite cliffs like El Capitan. Yosemite has amazing waterfalls and wildlife there as well.  Also, I was recently in Death Valley and I never thought I would be so amazed by sand dunes, but the Mesquite Flat Dunes there were so smooth and perfect. I couldn’t imagine a better feeling at that moment than to sink my toes into the sand and hike up some one-hundred-foot dunes. The views were just spectacular in both locations.

A post shared by Ben Ruef (@benruef) on Apr 17, 2017 at 11:40am PDT

A post shared by Ben Ruef (@benruef) on Mar 30, 2017 at 3:02pm PDT

CT: What’s the best way to learn more and improve your skills?  Do you learn more by doing or by watching videos or others?
BR: There are tons of information on YouTube or other sources online and I probably learned almost everything I know from messing around with my camera or in software programs.  Also, I learned by watching tutorials for certain techniques such as “astrophotography“.

CT: Share one of your favorite photos or videos that you have created. 
BR: A Photo Favorite: Mono Lake

I’ve been posting some of my favorite shots from last year, and this one has got to be my favorite shot that I’ve ever taken. This is a panorama taken at Mono Lake during the summer. I didn’t shoot this on the new moon, but the clarity in the stars was still rather good. I actually prefer shooting the Milky Way with a little bit of moonlight because the horizon often receives that beautiful orange glow. I didn’t take much time to plan this shot out, but the composition turned out quite well in my opinion. The noise wasn’t too bad, and resolution was improved by the stitching of three images. I took about 3 hours to process this image in post, but I’m super stoked on how it turned out. 3 x 24mm | 15 sec | F/2 | ISO 8000 Edited in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. You can buy this as a stock image from my 500px at: 500px.com/BenRuefMedia #MilkyWay #MonoLake #Astrophotography #SonyAlpha #NightSky #Landscape

A post shared by Ben Ruef (@benruef) on Jan 9, 2017 at 7:35am PST

BR: A Video Favorite:  Palomar Mountain, CA 

CT: What type of camera do you shoot with and why?
BR: I shoot with a full frame mirrorless camera (Sony Alpha a7S II Mirrorless Digital Camera) because the large sensor makes it great in low light so I can shoot great photos and time-lapses.

CT: Do you see a future in this or is it more of a hobby?  
BR: I’m hoping to go to film school and make this my full-time job.

CT: If you could get paid for your shots, what would be the idea job or publication or location to capture images/video?
BR: I’d love to work in a place like San Francisco because the Bay Area is so beautiful and close to other beautiful places. I’d like to become an independent freelancer or work for a production company like Brain Farm – that would be amazing!

CT: Last question, what photographer or videographer do you admire the most and why?
BR: I admire Michael Shainblum the most because he is very well-rounded with his work and is great at almost every aspect of photography/videography.

Links to learn more about Ben Ruef and his digital art visit his social portfolio:

YouTube, Instagram, 500px and Vimeo.

Bonus Videos Shot by Ben Ruef: