VICTOR BY HASSELBLAD 03/2012 ENGLISH by DgTales Digitali

online 03.2012

editorial

Content

As the new Corporate Marketing Manager for Hasselblad, I’m honored to write this month’s editorial for VICTOR magazine. I’m thrilled to be part of the Hasselblad team and to be working with a company that has such an incredible heritage and strong brand name. My background is in global marketing so I feel right at home with Hasselblad’s international reach. There are many interesting plans for the future and I’m very happy to be a part of this wonderful company and team. This is a photokina year so that in and of itself makes this an exciting year, as does Hasselblad’s recent agreement with Adobe to provide, free of charge, Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® to customers who purchase a new Hasselblad medium format H4D camera, beginning on 12th March 2012." For more details about this upcoming promotion visit the News page of this issue or go to www.hasselblad.com. Naturally, Phocus software will continue to be available for free download. Also be sure to check out the News page for information about Peter Lorber’s fabulous Xcursions workshops where attendees will have the opportunity to shoot with Hasselblad medium format cameras for a week at stunning location. One of the first projects of the year, however, was the launch of Hasselblad tv, a multi-language, stateof-the-art online video platform. In addition to a wealth of technical tips, product information, news and educational videos, HTV is the perfect place for photographers to share videos of their work. What makes HTV even more exciting is the overwhelmingly positive reception it has received. In the first two weeks alone more than 60,000 visitors viewed videos on Hasselblad tv. While the most popular content was educational videos during that time, a large number of photographer videos from around the world were uploaded to the site – among them, a video from this month’s featured photographer from Germany, Mick Mazzei. Specializing in fashion, Mazzei’s work is beautifully lit thanks, in part, to his background as a theatrical lighting designer so be sure to check out his work. In this issue, we’ll also catch up with 2002 Hasselblad Master and fashion photographer, Per Zennstrom and present the work of HOC winner, American fashion, beauty and portrait photographer, Steven Barston. I am fascinated about the emotional journeys of our photographers and the ways in which they achieve the perfect shot. I hope you enjoy this month’s issue of VICTOR and the stories behind the lenses of these talented photographers.

Captivatingly beautiful fashion images by Hasselblad photographer Mick Mazzei

4 >> News Hasselblad and Adobe pair up: Hasselblad will be shipping a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom with every new camera. Xcursion Workshops: Capture gorgeous landscapes with the H4D during these special location workshops.

6 >> Mick Mazzei German fashion photographer Mick Mazzei brings his experience as a theatrical lighting designer to create images with his unique aesthetic. From color to film noir black and white, Mazzei knows how to tell a story with his photographs.

22 >> Steven Barston Members of the Hasselblad Owners’ Club have chosen an image by Los Angeles based fashion, beauty and portrait photographer Steven Barston for the winning photograph. We invite you to explore this photographer’s extraordinary work at VICTOR online.

26 >> Per ZennstrOm It’s been 10 years since Swedish fashion photographer and filmmaker Per Zennstrom received his Hasselblad Masters Award and his fashion photography is better than ever. Edgy but beautiful, his images speak volumes about his fluid approach to shooting.

40 >> preview Fashion photographer and former model Zoe McConnell describes her shooting style as “bright, fresh, sexy and quirky.” Tune in to VICTOR online next month to see how she brings these attributes together in her visually arresting images.

Yours, Karin Raffel, Hasselblad Corporate Marketing Manager

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victornEWS Partnership Cooperation between Adobe and Hasselblad

WORKSHOP Xcursion ON TOUR with the H4D

Thanks to an agreement between Hasselblad and Adobe, as of March 12th, 2012, all new Hasselblad H4D cameras will be bundled with a full – and free – version of Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®. Hasselblad and Adobe both agree that this promotion provides photographers with a number of benefits and creates new opportunities for all lovers of medium format photography to perfect, search, process and organize their images in a single solution regardless of their experience or skill level.

From the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona and Moab, Utah to the stunning landscapes of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and, soon, to Australia and New Zealand, Hasselblad photographer and panoramic wizard Peter Lorber leads small groups of photographers on visual adventures through his Xcursion workshop. Assisted by his wife Addie (who organizes the workshop) and photographer and post production specialist, Courtenay Gilbert, attendees are treated to 4 ½ days (depending on the trip) of guided photo shoots and personalized instruction. Open to all experience levels, Lorber emphasizes that “We really work with what they want to accomplish.” But this isn’t just any ordinary photography workshop. Attendees are given a Hasselblad H4D camera, lenses and accessories to use for the duration of the workshop, along with VR equipment for creating panoramas. “We purchased the equipment for that purpose because we are convinced Hasselblad is the best,” explains Lorber. And, he adds that by going on location, “we want people to understand the versatility of the equipment.” Hasselblad is not just for studio work and by the way, scuba divers should check out his Ultima digital underwater housing for Hasselblad. So, if you’re interested in capturing gorgeous sunsets and sunrises and amazing landscapes with the H4D, visit the Xcursion website for more information about upcoming workshops. You won’t be disappointed. ■ www.peterlorber.com

As Chris Russell-Fish, Hasselblad Global Sales and Marketing Director explains, “...Changing platforms is always a challenge for time-starved photographers and digital operators but now all users can have the excellence of a Hasselblad image file married to the functionality and ease of use of Adobe Lightroom.” Likewise, Tom Hogarty, Adobe’s principal product manager for Lightroom says, “...The world of imaging continues to evolve quickly, so it is increasingly important to offer customers innovative and practical software options to refine, showcase and manage their images.” Of course, Hasselblad will continue to support and develop Phocus software for its customers but this agreement, says Russell-Fish “is about providing choice for our customers.” Hasselblad will run a worldwide programme of workshops and studio days based on medium format capture and Lightroom software. ■ www.hasselblad.com

Since years Peter Lorber is an ambitious Hasselblad photographer and passes his knowledge on in gripping workshops.

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HOC

Hasselblad Owners’ Club 3/2012

Hasselblad users all over the world exchange news on the Hasselblad Owners’ Club (HOC) site. At the end of February, registered users chose a new Photo of the Month, taken by Julien Bourgeois. With this picture, the French photographer prevailed over the strong competition. We will fully introduce him in the April issue of VICTOR online. ■

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Part of the editorial shoot "Above" for Cocoon Magazine, Mazzei empowers the women in his photographs with strength and emotion. page 6, 8 styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stammhaus; hair/make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Lisa Jackson, Major Models

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From the editorial, "Bienvenue", Mazzei captures not only the clothes but the personalities of the women he photographs. page 10, 11 styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stammhaus; hair/make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Stephanie Promise Nelson, Major Models

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Mazzei loves to shoot in black and white, as he did in this picture from the editorial "Arrival" for AMagazine/Brazil and Cocoon Magazine/Germany. styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stammhaus; hair/make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Eva Maria Lutz, Major Models

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Seductive and strong, this image was created for the editorial "Addicted" for Cocoon Magazine/Germany. styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stammhaus; hair/make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Karine Graff, Major Models

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Mazzei shot this compelling black and white image for a special editorial project titled "Universe"; this specific image is from "Universe One " for AMagazine/Brazil and Cocoon Magazine/Germany. styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stamhaus; hair/make-up: Angela Kaeser, Luisa; model: Isabella Vinet

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Dramatic lighting brings intrigue to this image from Mazzei's special editorial project "Universe Three" for Cocoon Magazine/Germany. styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stammhaus; hair/ make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Dominika Pstrosova, Major Models

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Mazzei loves to tell a story with images â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just like in the editorial "Jeanne d'Arc" shot in Paris for AMagazine/Brazil and Cocoon Magazine/Germany styling: Angela Skalla; hair/make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Madeline, IMG Models Paris

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From the special editorial "Universe Three", Mazzei shows his ability to create photographs that convey strong emotions. styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stammhaus; hair/make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Dominika Pstrosova, Major Models

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Portfolio Mick Mazzei

Also from the editorial "Jeanne d'Arc." Mazzei's images show the vulnerability of women. styling: Angela Skalla; hair/makeup: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Madeline; IMG Models Paris

German fashion photographer Mick Mazzei’s first foray into making pictures was sparked by his attempt to photograph the lighting he created for the theatre. This former lighting designer first purchased a camera to make a presentation book of his lighting work but soon realized that “it was not that easy to make good pictures. So I wanted to learn more and work with the camera to get better results.” “I was quickly fascinated by this medium [of photography],” this selftaught photographer explains. “I did everything by myself with the help of books and all the information I could get.” This self-study helped him form his aesthetic as he “looked for beautiful things [to photograph] wherever they appeared.” Within six months he had his first exhibition of black and white fine art photography, followed by exhibitions in Austria, Brazil and the US. While Mazzei may have had to learn about some aspects of photography, as a lighting designer he already had developed a strong visual aesthetic. And, as he told us, “As a lighting designer you also make pictures – in the size of 12 x 6 meters in the frame of a stage, so I already had a lot of experience in visual art. But, of course, it was a process to transform the way of creation into fashion photography.” Why fashion photography? “Because

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I can do everything,” says Mazzei who has been shooting professionally for 13 years. With fashion photography, “I am able to create beautiful things, I am able to stage the scene, I can tell a story or a mood that I like – to create a kind of illusion like in the theatre or films.” Of course, he adds, “that is not a one man show. You have to work in a team.” The creativity that comes from working with a team is another aspect of fashion photography that attracted Mazzei to this genre. Mazzei is not only able to create “beautiful things,” but he wants to “show things in a beautiful way.” He never “would show something ugly, destroyed or trashed.” Perhaps more importantly, he likes to “show the models not just as someone who is dressed in nice clothes. I like to show them as women with a personality, with an emotion, strong and beautiful.” With a love for black and white images – “I find it’s stronger, more graphic and that gives the viewer more room for his or her own fantasies. And it is always a bit dramatic,” says Mazzei who has a special affinity for film noir. Because his work encompasses both editorial and advertising, Mazzei has the flexibility of shooting black and white, albeit mostly for his editorial shoots.

Mazzei first shot with a Hasselblad 500 but found that the 6x6 format wasn’t always practical for fashion work, so he changed to a 6x7 system. But, he adds, when digital cameras advanced to the point where they were good enough to use for professional work, he switched from analogue. “I first tried a 36 x 24mm camera [35mm digital] but it was not my thing, so I bought a digital medium format camera in 2008 – the Hasselblad H3DII-31 – and I was home again.” He sometimes uses an H3DII-39, depending on the job, and favors the 80mm lens for almost all of his shoots. “With a medium format camera,” says Mazzei, “I think you shoot differently and not because of the resolution. It is more the way of working and composing the picture.” (See Mick Mazzei at work with his Hasselblad H3DII-39 on Hasselblad tv). He adds that, “The H cameras are very smooth. I don’t have to think about the camera; I can just concentrate on making the image.” Soon Mazzei will shoot next year’s spring/summer collections for his international clientele, followed by some early summer editorial shoots in Paris. Fashion photography is hard work but it’s clear from his images that Mazzei loves what he does. ■ www.mickmazzei.com

Another example of Mazzei's penchant for film noir lighting and mood. From the editorial "Addicted" for Cocoon Magazine /Germany. styling: Bogarka Bokor, Stammhaus; hair/make-up: Orlando, Stammhaus; model: Karine Graff, Major Models

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HOC

Hasselblad Owners’ Club 2/2012

Steven Barston Members of the Hasselblad Owners’ Club have chosen a picture by Steven Barston as Photo of the Month. Introducing the American fashion, beauty and portrait photographer and his aesthetic world.

This month’s winning HOC image (opposite) was created by Los Angeles based fashion, beauty and portrait photographer Steven Barston. Shot for the NAHA (North American Hair Styling Awards), Barston wanted to “illustrate the idea of ‘sirens’ emerging from the water.” The biggest challenge, says Barston, “was lighting the water so that it would look beautiful, mysterious and mostly inviting.” Using a swimming pool instead of the ocean, he wanted to “personify the water and give it the same qualities that the model in the image conveys as a siren.” To achieve this, Barston lit the water with harder, gridded strobes to get “stronger highlights and a more dramatic feeling overall.” More colorful, yet intriguing and mysterious in their own way, Barston crafted a series of circus themed images for his biggest client, lingerie and costume designer Leg Avenue. “We are always looking to bring our campaigns to a higher level,” reports Barston. “The circus theme worked well with many of their costumes and it allowed us to be creative as well.” Not satisfied with 35mm digital camera image quality, Barston switched to Hasselblad in 2008 and currently shoots with an H3DII-31. Both he and his clients have been “blown away” with the files from the H3DII. And we have been blown away by his amazing images. Vita: born 1977 in Chicago; started taking pictures at age 10; studied commercial photography at RIT; working on a book project with Thalicer Image Studio. www.stevenbarston.com www.hasselblad.com/hoc

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HOC

Hasselblad Owners’ Club 2/2012

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Hasselblad Master portfolio

10 years later // Hasselblad Masters 2002

Per ZennstrOm “I like things that are pretty,” explains Berlin-based fashion photographer, filmmaker and 2002 Hasselblad Master Per Zennstrom. But, he adds, “I like them to have a depth. . .to fit together prettiness and edginess.” This philosophy is evident in his images, particularly in the stark black and white photograph which is featured on this page. Zennstrom shoots everything in color to start but, he explains, “sometimes you know right away that it’s going to be black and white. Other times, you don’t know. . .it’s very fluid.” Over the years, his shooting has become more fluid as well. “I shoot faster and [more loosely] now, which I think is good,” says Zennstrom. “I tend to go with the flow.” Zennstrom whose first Hasselblad was an ELX and who now shoots with an H2 or H3D-39 explains that “Digital freed me up. . .All of a sudden you have lighter digital cameras where you can jump up on a ladder or lay down on the floor. You can shoot faster when you can move around.” One can’t imagine Zennstrom sitting still - physically or in his approach to photography. For years, he says, “I just thought very much just as a photographer but in the past 4-5 years, I totally changed,” realizing that the business side of photography is very creative and exciting as well. During the transformation, Zennstrom embraced new media and social media by blogging and producing an online magazine. “The power of these tools is mind blowing,” says the photographer who believes strongly in the importance of people connecting and sharing ideas. And he hasn’t lost sight of the importance of his Masters award - “being associated with Hasselblad is very valuable as a photographer. It has definitely helped me, especially on a personal level.” www.perzennstrom.com www.hasselblad.com

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Next victor online: 1 April 2012 Be surprised by inspiring portfolios, keep up-to-date with the most significant photographic trends and read leading news for the photography community. On April 1st, 2012, check your monitor for the next issue of VICTOR online.

Zoe MCConnell >> sexy and quirky add up to an explosive mix of exotic fashion photography

Charlie Waite >> stunning landscapes that play with shadow and light

>> Discover the aesthetic world of the photographer who took the Hasselblad Owners’ Club photo of the month: Julien Bourgeois

HOC

Hasselblad Owners’ Club 3/2012

Items and topics in the next issue of VICTOR online may be changed or post-poned due to editorial or other reasons.

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Imprint VICTOR online | 3/2012 www.victorbyhasselblad.com info@victorbyhasselblad.com

Project Management: Christine Heinrichs heinrichs@centerofservice.com

Publishing House /Advertising: Center of Service GmbH Hammerbrookstr. 93 20097 Hamburg, Germany Tel.: + 49.40.25 40 48-69 (Fax: - 40) E-mail: info@centerofservice.com

All articles and illustrations contained in the online magazine are subject to the laws of copyright. Any form of utilisation beyond the narrow limits imposed by the laws of copyright and without the expressed permission of the publisher is forbidden and will be prosecuted. We accept no responsibility for unsolicited material and this will only be returned if appropriate postage is included.

Global Photographer Relations Manager Hasselblad: Paul Waterworth Paul.Waterworth@Hasselblad.com

Hasselblad is a registered trademark of Victor Hasselblad A/S, Denmark. Place of jurisdiction and execution: Hamburg, Germany

Publisher: Stephan Bittner

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