When I got my first Hasselblad I didn't like it. I don't know why, but it didn't do it for me. I changed over to the Mamiya 67 system and stuck with it for a few decades. A few years ago, i got my hands on a vintage C and oh man, I love it. I guess I just needed some time to commit... heh.
Don, I liked the Hasselblad when I first tried one years ago, but I too went with a Mamiya 67 (RZ67) because I was entranced with the cinematic possibilities of the 6x7 format, and I just loved the big ka-thunk sound the shutter made, and the huge lens I had. I made a lot of set up studio type photos but then for years I didn’t use it and that made me sad. I sold it and bought a Hassy 2yrs ago and I love it! What made me love square format actually was using a Holga for years.
Howdy Wesley! Have you ever been the type of photographer who gets emotionally attached to their cameras? By that I mean, I find my main camera to be a “precious object” to me. We’ve been through a lot of over the years, the camera and I. On the other side of things, many professionals think of cameras as simply tools which can be sold at a moment’s notice. Where do you fall?
I am VERY emotionally attached to my Hasselblad, because it belonged to my dad and he gave it to me. I am also quite attached to the others but that's less serious
No I am not reverting to film for my photography work, but there is something about those square Hasselblad film images that always brings me back.
It is not simply nostalgia, but a different (better?) way of working. You know you only have 12 images before the film has to be changed (I never had 16 or 24 on backs) and processing is required, then the contact sheets or tranny sleeves await and the bill. Those 12 images are much more precious and have to count.
Perhaps that is it. The images are more precious and more costly.
The head of The Guildford School of Photography in the 19070s when I was there was Walter Nurnberg … With his 5x4 camera he would make two images of a subject (think turbine halls on generating stations or foundries etc and men with vans installing the lighting the days before) at the same exposure, process one normally and adjust the second as necessary (water bath etc)… and don’t ask for colour as that was for holiday snaps.
Providing your memory card is not full and your camera buffer has not been exceeded some digital cameras will shoot at 30 frames a second… even my poor old hasselblad H3ii manages about two per second.
Is my photography any better and why do I mostly use a digital camera in manual anyway?
I do still have an old working 1940s Rolleicord that escaped the Russian advance into Moravia on a horse and cart and survived in the post Vienna of The Third Man.
Hi, i like photography as a hobby but lately i lost a little bit of drive. I think its because i don't really know what to do with my photos, i used to post them on social networks and photography sites but now that doesnt motivate me anymore. I still take pictures but then i just watch them in Lightroom. I'm really not interested in doing public shows and i'm not trying to make photography my profession. What could be an outlet for someone who's tired of social networks but still wants to show his photos and get feedback?
I love the format of a photography newsletter and I think you do it better than most. Partly a blog, partly a better way to share images, and entirely authentic. It encourages the viewer to spend a little more time with each image than they otherwise would on social platforms.
My question to you is, as an unknown photographer, what methods would you suggest for building an audience for it? Worth noting, I’m terrible at social media and have around 700 followers with limited engagement. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be ecstatic with 50-100 readers as I don’t have grand ambitions. Do you have any advice?
Thank you for the kind words Omid! I appreciate it!
To answer your question, I don't have any special tips aside from showing consistency and finding things to shoot that you care about so you also care about sharing it.
Hi Wes! I've been wanting to ask you this question but I feel like it's too personal but just saw an email that you're doing q&a's so here's mine, if you don't mind me asking; what is the most emotionally "packed" or intimate moment you've captured through your camera or ever posted here on substack? How does it affect you personally? or like how do you manage the fine line between being an observer and being emotionally invested in the stories you tell through your work?
Do you ever feel as if there is something outside of a photo that gives it legitimacy? I suppose this goes for the consumption of all art, but sometimes it seems that the publication or format of an image can do more to influence people's perception of it than the photo itself.
Beautiful photos and sentiments, Wesley. Thank you for sharing.
How do you manage having both digital and film cameras with you when you travel? Twice now I've been in beautiful cities and completely forgot to take film photos. I always have my mirrorless out, but keep forgetting to reach in my bag for the analog.
I am curious what makes you choose digital vs film (or vicecersa) when photographing. Is it ever based on how you want the work to be perceived, or the subject matter?
Hi Wesley! I am curious what makes you decide to photograph with film vs digital or viceversa. Does it have anything to do with the subject matter or how you think it will be perceived when working with one vs the other.
When you go on photo walks, do you usually explore different places each time, or do you often walk the same paths or areas where you live... and if you walk the same areas how do you keep the experience fresh for yourself? (I often go on walks with my camera (my Hasselblad 500C! ) in my neighborhood as an outlet for my personal work, but also as a mental health thing, it’s meant to be as easy as possible to do, so I just walk out my door, but then I have to figure out ways to see the same places anew.)
When I got my first Hasselblad I didn't like it. I don't know why, but it didn't do it for me. I changed over to the Mamiya 67 system and stuck with it for a few decades. A few years ago, i got my hands on a vintage C and oh man, I love it. I guess I just needed some time to commit... heh.
It was similar for me, Don. I couldn't get my mind around the square crop for years. Now it's all I want most of the time.
Don, I liked the Hasselblad when I first tried one years ago, but I too went with a Mamiya 67 (RZ67) because I was entranced with the cinematic possibilities of the 6x7 format, and I just loved the big ka-thunk sound the shutter made, and the huge lens I had. I made a lot of set up studio type photos but then for years I didn’t use it and that made me sad. I sold it and bought a Hassy 2yrs ago and I love it! What made me love square format actually was using a Holga for years.
The first black and white picture is absolutely stunning !
Thank you Adil!
vintage really
Howdy Wesley! Have you ever been the type of photographer who gets emotionally attached to their cameras? By that I mean, I find my main camera to be a “precious object” to me. We’ve been through a lot of over the years, the camera and I. On the other side of things, many professionals think of cameras as simply tools which can be sold at a moment’s notice. Where do you fall?
I am VERY emotionally attached to my Hasselblad, because it belonged to my dad and he gave it to me. I am also quite attached to the others but that's less serious
No I am not reverting to film for my photography work, but there is something about those square Hasselblad film images that always brings me back.
It is not simply nostalgia, but a different (better?) way of working. You know you only have 12 images before the film has to be changed (I never had 16 or 24 on backs) and processing is required, then the contact sheets or tranny sleeves await and the bill. Those 12 images are much more precious and have to count.
Perhaps that is it. The images are more precious and more costly.
The head of The Guildford School of Photography in the 19070s when I was there was Walter Nurnberg … With his 5x4 camera he would make two images of a subject (think turbine halls on generating stations or foundries etc and men with vans installing the lighting the days before) at the same exposure, process one normally and adjust the second as necessary (water bath etc)… and don’t ask for colour as that was for holiday snaps.
Providing your memory card is not full and your camera buffer has not been exceeded some digital cameras will shoot at 30 frames a second… even my poor old hasselblad H3ii manages about two per second.
Is my photography any better and why do I mostly use a digital camera in manual anyway?
I do still have an old working 1940s Rolleicord that escaped the Russian advance into Moravia on a horse and cart and survived in the post Vienna of The Third Man.
Hi, i like photography as a hobby but lately i lost a little bit of drive. I think its because i don't really know what to do with my photos, i used to post them on social networks and photography sites but now that doesnt motivate me anymore. I still take pictures but then i just watch them in Lightroom. I'm really not interested in doing public shows and i'm not trying to make photography my profession. What could be an outlet for someone who's tired of social networks but still wants to show his photos and get feedback?
Do you use film photography as a challenge or just because you enjoy it?
A bit of both!
I love the format of a photography newsletter and I think you do it better than most. Partly a blog, partly a better way to share images, and entirely authentic. It encourages the viewer to spend a little more time with each image than they otherwise would on social platforms.
My question to you is, as an unknown photographer, what methods would you suggest for building an audience for it? Worth noting, I’m terrible at social media and have around 700 followers with limited engagement. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be ecstatic with 50-100 readers as I don’t have grand ambitions. Do you have any advice?
Thank you for the kind words Omid! I appreciate it!
To answer your question, I don't have any special tips aside from showing consistency and finding things to shoot that you care about so you also care about sharing it.
Wonderful photo series full of poetry!
thank you <3
Hi Wes! I've been wanting to ask you this question but I feel like it's too personal but just saw an email that you're doing q&a's so here's mine, if you don't mind me asking; what is the most emotionally "packed" or intimate moment you've captured through your camera or ever posted here on substack? How does it affect you personally? or like how do you manage the fine line between being an observer and being emotionally invested in the stories you tell through your work?
Excellent question Jeric! I will think on this!
Do you ever feel as if there is something outside of a photo that gives it legitimacy? I suppose this goes for the consumption of all art, but sometimes it seems that the publication or format of an image can do more to influence people's perception of it than the photo itself.
Beautiful photos and sentiments, Wesley. Thank you for sharing.
How do you manage having both digital and film cameras with you when you travel? Twice now I've been in beautiful cities and completely forgot to take film photos. I always have my mirrorless out, but keep forgetting to reach in my bag for the analog.
Good question! Will include in the issue. And thanks for the kind words Mary! Appreciate you!
Hi Wesley,
I am curious what makes you choose digital vs film (or vicecersa) when photographing. Is it ever based on how you want the work to be perceived, or the subject matter?
Thanks !
Good question Nadgee! Will include, thank yuou!
Hi Wesley! I am curious what makes you decide to photograph with film vs digital or viceversa. Does it have anything to do with the subject matter or how you think it will be perceived when working with one vs the other.
Thanks!
When you go on photo walks, do you usually explore different places each time, or do you often walk the same paths or areas where you live... and if you walk the same areas how do you keep the experience fresh for yourself? (I often go on walks with my camera (my Hasselblad 500C! ) in my neighborhood as an outlet for my personal work, but also as a mental health thing, it’s meant to be as easy as possible to do, so I just walk out my door, but then I have to figure out ways to see the same places anew.)
Thanks for the question Chelsea! Will include it! Spoiler alert: mental health thing for me too!
Btw I love 😍 that blue sky/green field image. Absolutely delicious with the green falling into shadows. ❤️
:) thank you Chelsea!
Love this my dear friend!!
Thank you Erea! I cannot wait to shoot together!