Tag: photography

Hasselblad Review

Post author By Editor
Post date 27/12/2016

Hasselblad X1D Review

How did you start as a photographer?

I became a photographer by chance. I was studying International Relations in Paris, then panning to go to London to study law but as fate would have it I had a good friend who was a photographer. I began assisting him then fell in love with the camera and photography. That is how I started my career.

What camera do you normally use?

I have always used Nikon cameras, usually I work with the D750 and the D810.

You tested the Hasselblad X1D, What where your initial feelings about the camera?

I was curious when the opportunity arose to see how the mirrorless medium format performed because I knew the reputation of the brand. When I have important commercial shoots and the budget allows I place Hasselblad on my wish list, great image quality. However, I was never hands-on with a camera because I let my assistants do all the necessary adjustments and settings.

Testing the X1D I was very hands-on. It feels great, light, the ergonomic grip is comfortable. Usually, I use a neck strap because I do not want to risk letting the camera drop out of my hand, especially one that costs 9400 euros.

I found the camera setting menu very well edited. It felt like I did not have to go through as many camera settings in the menu as I do with my Nikon.

I really enjoyed the touch screen for viewing and settings, very simple.

How fast can the X1D shoot images?

The camera is fast but focusing can be difficult. Maybe I was doing something wrong but the lens I was using (XCD 90mm f/3.5) only had one focal point. I had to focus on the model and then reframe the image while my finger was pressing the shutter button half way down. I am used to the Nikon focal multiple point system. I found this annoying because it resulted in unfocused pictures.

Using a Medium format camera was there a higher level of expectation?

Yes! The expectation was higher and I was not disappointed. The images were sharp.

Was the Camera Interface Intuitive?

Before reading the camera manual I wanted to see how intuitive the camera was for a new user. The camera interface is adaptable quick, ready to usage for a short period of time. I was able to make adjustments and began shooting. The manual was good for referencing, very complete.

The Auto Focus Mode

The Auto Focus was very fast, perhaps faster than my Nikon. I was shooting in low light but I had no problems with the setting.

ISO Mode

Shooting in low light I sometimes had to shoot as high as 6400 iso but I did not lose the image sharpness. The grain quality was acceptable when blowing up an image 100 times in Photoshop.

Battery Life

This was my biggest disappointment. I went through a fully charged battery after only shooting 500 images. Luckily there were extra batteries in the test kit. For outdoor shooting where there is no access to electricity the camera is a disadvantage.

The fashion production you shot with the X1D, how did the camera perform?

Overall I enjoyed shooting with the X1D. I could use high ISO settings in addition to opening the aperture to 3.5.

I was happy with the results I produce with the Hasselblad X1D.

Dale Grant is professional photographer, instructor, and Black and Paper contributor.

For more information: www.dalegrantphotography.com

Tags black and white photography, Camera, fashion blogger, fashion photography, foto, gadgets, hasselblad, images, lux, male model, Model, photographer, photography, Tech

Fashion Technology

Black and Paper Christmas List-DXO One

Post author By Editor
Post date 12/12/2016

DxO One Camera

During IFA16 Week the Black and Paper caught with the founders of DxO One. Not an ordinary camera, the DxO One is a pocket size camera that connects with the iPhone. But do not let the size fool you. This is a powerful camera capable of producing professional images.

Designed around the philosophy of “The best camera is the camera you have with you” the DxO One delivers complex photo mechanics in a small frame. This is the first generation camera from the Paris/San Francisco based firm made up of engineers and photography enthusiasts.

As with other cameras in the category, the DxO One is compact making it easy to carry around but great lengths went into making it distinguished from other cameras in the small and light range.

Equipped with a 1 inch sensor and 20.2 megapixels means the camera can get details even in low light situations. The specially designed lens allows the user to play with depth of field and Brokeh effects of background and foreground blurring. Video Camera and Mic are included.

The iOS app is available for downloading on the iPhone along with updates. The touch control is simple to use. Overall the camera’s flexibility is advantageous for the user regardless of the situation from producing the perfect selfie to shooting videos at angles.

The DXO One has received raved reviews from Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Digital Photo to name a few.

I asked the developers when the camera will be available for Android users. The response was “it is in development”.

A Black and Paper creative colleague used the camera during IFA. She fell in love with the DxO One. Her first impression from using the camera was the sharp picture quality.

The DXO One is available in stores and online including at Colette Paris.

Tags Camera, christmas gifts, Colette, cool, dxo one, fashion photography, gadget, gizmos, holifay gifts, ifaberlin, Iphone, photographer, photography, Smartphone, Tech, techblog, TECHNOLOGY

Fashion

Fashion Shoot with Hasselblad and FilippaK

Post author By Editor
Post date 10/12/2016

Coming soon the Black and Paper Hasselblad/FlippaK Shoot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNmFnw_j6Kl/?taken-by=blackandpaper

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Tags #fashionstyle, Fashion, fashion photography, filippk, hasselblad, Make Up, male model, mens, mensclothing, Menswear, photography, Style

Fashion

A Life of Pictures Part 2

Post author By Editor
Post date 06/07/2016

Karl Lagerfeld, german fashion designer, at Chanel office. Paris, 1983.

The second part of the interview with Photographer Vladimir Sichov.

What is your favorite cover?

The November Cover of Paris Match showing The Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Romania Revolution Cover.

Why are you still motivated to take pictures?

I am a street life photographer. I look for moments, unknown people. I take pictures fast. The right way to be a street photographer is to be quick while not drawing attention to you. I place tape over the camera labels and numbers for discretion.

What is your favorite device?

I like fixed lens. I used Leica until 92 then switched to Canon.

Who was your artistic influence?

Bresson was a God with his sense of composition. He was the master and everyone else is several steps below. We spoke several times. I asked him how many good pictures he made. He said around 40.

Who was the most difficult subject?

The Vogue Studio and those white walls. I prefer action to studio, black and white over color.

Politics and politicians have played a major role in your works.

In May 1981 French President Giscard lost the election to Mitterand. I was assigned to go to his house in the Middle of France with other press people. All only had 20 minutes. After he learned I was Russian he spoke to my team for over 40 minutes. He said his favorite politician was Brezhnev. I spent 2 week with him on holiday in the Holy Land after he left office. His wife was religious.

And Chirac?

Prime Minister Jacques Chirac opened a world for me. I was a stateless so he arranged for me to have a French Passport.

Having covered so politics and events, what do you think of the current state of Europe?

If I had written articles on what I thought I would have been fired immediately. There is a body of unelected people (EU Commission) making disastrous decision for Europe. There is no Ford to build an industry. So much has been destroyed, from textile to steel production.

What were the most interesting assignments?

There are many but some now:

I was in the Soviet Union covering the Michael Jackson concert in 1989 before the coup. I felt something was going on so I called my editor and decided to stay in Moscow a little while longer. The tanks rolled into the city. I saw it all in front of The Russian White House. I was wounded, shot.

When Gorbachev went into exile I was with him for 3 days.

Horowitz was fun. I wanted to show him doing more than at the piano. Russians love ice cream and playing chess. He asked me if I loved ice cream. Yes!

Sonia Rykiel, french fashion designer, in her apartment in Paris. 26.05.2005.

Pierre Berge (right) with Diana Vreeland.. Paris, 1983.

I made images of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge at their apartment. One of those images was used at the Christie’s auction in 2009. It was rare assignment because they did not normally allow images made in their flat.

I accompanied Keith Haring here (Berlin) to take pictures of him painting the Wall for the mural. He was really fast. That was in 1986. I made pictures of him doing work on the Grace Jones video.

Keith Haring, american artist, makes painting on the Berlin Wall. Berlin, 1986. — Keith Haring, american artist, makes painting on the Berlin Wall.
Berlin, 1986.

What advice would you give a photographer?

Love what are doing and you will never have a problem. If you find a job you like and you will never work. Do not expect rewards.

Tags berlin, Fashion, haring, history, lagerfeld, Paris, photography, Style, ysl

Fashion Interview

A Life of Pictures Part 1

Post author By Editor
Post date 31/05/2016

“We Russians are crazy and that is normal.” This is a quote from my Q&A interview with Russian photographer Vladmir Sichov. For over 30 years Vlad has covered the world of sports, politics, celebrity, and fashion before retiring.

Born in Capital City of Kazan, Tartarstan, 800 km from Moscow, Vlad bought his first camera in 1965 while studying at the university. As he would tell me, “nothing really mattered after I started taking pictures.” Street life in the Soviet Union was his subject. Sichov was a member of the unofficial art scene of the Soviet Union.

In 1979, he emigrated to the West landing in Vienna then later moving to Paris. While there famed photographer Helmut Newton saw his images prompting him to urge Paris Vogue to give Vladamir a tryout leading to a 2 year stint as a photographer for the publication.

In 1980, his stark pictures of everyday existence in the Soviet Union help propel him to become the most published photographer in the world with numerous editorials in magazines ranging from Life, Paris Match, and Brunte.

Having recently moved to Berlin from Paris, I met him for a café and a conversation about his extensive career filled with fascinating stories about his life, capturing moments set against different historical backdrops.

Why did you become a photographer?

I lived between the rail station and market in an industrial city named “Kazan” in a country that no longer exists. People were always walking by, now they drive, but back then life was at my window. I bought myself a Soviet Camera, Zenit, when I was a student in University 1965 in a Jazz band playing the saxophone. After I got my camera, I was hooked. I had to buy black and white short end film stock from cinema students. Kodak film was too expensive.

What was it like being a photographer in the Soviet Union?

I spent time in jail. Many of friends were dissidents, not a part of the system. I had exhibitions in my apartment of unofficial art from 1973 to 1979 with artists who were not accepted by the system.

Mikhail Odnoralov-022 — Mikhail Odnoralov

You had to leave the Soviet Union.

“If you live in a cage you want to see what is outside.” I did not have the privilege to leave because I was not in the circle. You could leave for Israel so I got an invitation from there because I knew people. I got to Vienna where I was stateless and had nothing. When I had exhibitions in the Soviet Union diplomats came to my flat so I had friends from the outside. I waited in Austria for a diplomat to smuggle my works to the West. When I left the USSR (1979) a person could carry nothing except what was on your back. I was the first photographer to leave the USSR with my archive.

After your time in Vienna you went to Paris?

Yes, straight to I met Sipa News Agency from there to Paris Match. The editor liked my work. Back then the press was managed by people who had a passion for news, fanatics who worked 360 days of the year.

What is your connection to Helmut Newton?

Helmut saw my work in Paris Match. He convinced Paris Vogue to give me a test shoot. In the September 1980 issue I had 40 pages of Haute Couture. Fashion was a new world for me. During my life, my friends were people outside the system. Then suddenly, I met Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Rykiel.