Running on Film with the Hasselblad XPan: A Creative Challenge
This editorial photo shoot was a unique endeavor, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with the Hasselblad XPan. The author, an experienced photographer, embarked on a journey to create a high-paced editorial series using a camera designed for slow, deliberate shots. The challenge was to capture a running sequence that would tell a story through a few frames, showcasing the model's versatility and the camera's capabilities.
Technical Test and Creative Step
The shoot was a technical test for the author's recently repaired XPan, and a creative step towards more context-driven editorial work. The author wanted to showcase the model's natural ease and strength through running, rather than styling her into something inauthentic. The Hasselblad XPan, with its slow shutter speed and lack of autofocus, presented a unique challenge, requiring a deep collaboration between the model and the photographer.
Creative Direction and Mood
The creative direction focused on sunrise, stillness, and the tension between soft movement and hard architecture. The author wanted to suggest motion through gesture, posture, and the rhythm between frames, rather than a literal depiction of running. The Barbican in London, with its hard geometry and concrete surfaces, provided the perfect backdrop for this contrast between the model's softness and the weight of the architectural elements.
Technical Setup
The author kept the setup minimal, using the Hasselblad XPan with two lenses and a single roll of film. The 45mm f/4 lens provided context-driven frames with a natural sense of space, while the 90mm f/4 lens isolated the subject and cleaned up the background. The author chose to meter for the bright sunlight, creating a cinematic editorial look with deep shadows and highlights.
The Day of the Shoot
The early morning light at the Barbican presented a unique challenge, requiring the author to be patient and trust the camera. The author and the model had to work together to capture the right moments, with the model repeating movements until the perfect shot was achieved. Despite the nerves at the beginning, the author found a rhythm with the model, and the shoot progressed smoothly.
The Final Sequence
The author shot twenty frames, focusing on a mix of context, mid-distance, and close-up images. The final sequence showcased the model's strength and the camera's capabilities, with a few key images standing out. The author learned the importance of staying close to the planned images, sometimes at the expense of experimentation, and the value of a detailed location scout to understand the light before the shoot.
Lessons Learned
The shoot reminded the author that an editorial series is about a small narrative built from several images, and the importance of planning and improvisation. The author enjoyed the process of creating concepts with the model, leaving room for discovery and growth. The final result was a testament to the author's creativity and the Hasselblad XPan's unique capabilities, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in editorial photography.
