Could it be the girl that Ben liked when he was a kid? Did she die in the purge? Could she have gotten off the island and she has hired people to find him?

Take a look at this photo and see if it reminds you of a scene from a video of a certian undercover agent who was found out. It seems to me this is Ben in possibly a DARMAHA institute. Where else would a photo like this come from? Other options is that it was taken by a DARMAHA plant earlier on the island of Ben at the barracks.

I find it interesting that the computer monitor isn't even plugged in. Perhaps an "oops"? Definitely a 90's or 2000's computer monitor. I remember realizing it meant Ben has been off the Island at some point when I saw it.

Ben was a teenager in the 70's when he went to Dharma Island with his dad, so that picture is much later, despite Bens vested attire. The Purge of the Dharma Initiative by Ben and the Others was early 90's, about the time those computer monitors were in use.

I'm going to say on the island. Although I haven't checked it out, it reminded me of the episode when little Ben arrives with his dad and gets checked in with the Dharma people. Also, if he is on the island, who took the picture and how is it that Miles has it now? Maybe it was a Dharma person who knew Ben from before but has since (since the 70s apparantly) gotten off the island and avoided the Dharmacaust. Supposing that the Polar Bear found in Tunesia didn't get there by bending time and space, it's possible that Dharma was set up in multiple locations, moving employees around.

I am going with off the island. For sure. I agree with BrianisLOST. Why did Naomi have that picture of Desmond and Penny?

Huh? Non-Island location? No way. This picture was transmitted to the 'outside' before comms were loked dowm

If the picture was not taken off the island then how did the new characters get it?

Im at work getting ready to leave and havn't read all the comments but that has to be a picture of him on the island. He grew up on the island and has been there ever since he was a boy.

What I find the strangest about this picture is the computer - no wires, not plugged into anything.

And also, why is everybody assuming this is taken off the island? To me, that computer monitor reminds me of the one in the Flame station (or the 'use to be' Flame station).

There's no reason to think this picture is from the 70's. That style monitor wasn't available until the 90's ant his shirt,while retro in coloring, is a VERY modern cut. Not to mention 70's colors made a big come back in the mid 90's.

It's probably nothing, but the vest he is wearing looks like the vests that NASA flight directors wore during the Apollo missions.

does anyone remember how old Ben was in his flashback of when he killed his Father and the rest of Dharma? I remember he celebrated a birthday. He was definitely younger than he is now. He is probably not happy with the picture being taken because this picture was most likely taken off of the island somewhere, you know before the sky turned purple and Locke blew up the sub.

The black object at the bottom of the picture next to the holder's finger is the conveyor opening where you place your bags for x-ray, complete with the rivets on the rubber radiation shields. My guess is airport security or transfer station from airport to sub.

Why assume the pic was taken in the 70's? There were no striped shirts 10 years ago?

The actor who plays Ben, Michael Emerson, was born in 1954. It seem to me that Ben was brought to the island as a tween, probably about 12 years old, in the late sixties (1966 perhaps, probably later as I don't believe Darma was on the island until the late 60's at the earliest). He would have been in his early twenties in the 70's and he sure doesn't look that in this photo. Obviously Emerson had this picture taken recently and is only trying to look young for the show, but I still think this picture wasn't supposed to look like "70's Ben." It's probably 80's Ben or, more likely, 90's Ben. Based on the hair, it's not supposed to be too recent, however.

I agree with BobBaft, too. This was probably one of the nicer, albeit out of date, outfits available to Ben on the island, so it might be 90's Ben in 70's clothes. And I agree with BobBX542, also. Ben is not happy that photo is being taken. Intriguing.

Also, If they are on the Island looking for Ben, why did Naomi have a picture of Desmond and Penny?

We do not know for sure that this pic was taken at an airport. Plus Locke's vision had Ben in a security guard uniform.

http://lost.cubit.net/archives/2006/10/3x03BeninLockesAirportVision.php

You bet your bottom dollar there's a connection. What episode was the sweat lodge in?

what about the vision locke had during his "visit" to the sweat lodge? ben was in the airport? could there be some sort of connection?

Ben may have taken a vacation off the island recently and since he doesn't have the latest and greatest fashions available to him, he wore the nicest suit he owns to go out in. Plus, there are a few guys in our office that have the same suit...nothing wrong with it, Napoleon Dynamite wore one just like it.

I think, aside from the computer in the image, Ben could very well have been in line to get into Studio 54 or perhaps even an audition for Saturday Night Fever...

Well, I think something we can all agree on regardless is that whoever is taking the picture, Ben knows they are, and he doesn't look too happy about it. It almost looks as if he really wants to lash out, but knows that he can't do that here.

His right arm looks to be pulled back behind him, maybe he is being detained? I'm guessing this is on the island, prior to Ben killing off the Dharma people...

Another vote for "airport security line."

that could be any office in america. perhaps a box making facility (hint hint)

Interesting point Soilworker! I'd say monitors that large wouldn't be available until the 90's. In the 70's he'd probably be working on a mainframe terminal... much smaller with a keyboard plugged right in...

that is strange, i don't think those monitors were available in the 70's. could it be a prop error? and why is the monitor not plugged in? He certainly looks younger and so do the clothes. Seeing him on the island dressed normally he seems to be dressed usually in a button down shirt and khakis, no leisure suits.

looks like an airport security area. I imagine he's wearing a nice tight fitting 3 piece white suit. CLASSY

Unplugged screen, and no wires? strange...but did they even have this type of computerscreens in the 70`s ? ..grrr

Isn't that Klugh (sp?) in the background? Probably everyone else has noticed that, but I have to wonder why she's there? If this is the 70's or pre-purge, then did she switch sides too? Or is that just not her?

Ben really loves his vests.

I was just thinking he looks younger and the clothes seem to be from the 70's

He needs new clothes I can say that !!!

It looks like Ben is off the Island though....That to me looks like a waiting room/or dmv thing/Gov type office......

is he going through security at an airport? if so i guess he's been off the island.

I am not sure it matters, but the monitor behind Ben is not plugged into anything. (not to power and not a a computer)

Looks like a ticket line maybe.

What jumps out to me is that it appears he is not on the island. I have not seen any place like that on the island.