Just bought a new Hasselblad 500cm--excited and... nervous?

[RalphLambrecht]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the forums, and have decided to come to share my most recent conundrum. I've been a photographer for many years now, starting with point and shoots as a youngster, moving to B&W darkroom work in college, and having the occasional affair with digital. I purchased a rolleiflex awhile back, but sold it thinking I was getting out of photography--but alas, it keeps coming back.

Lately I've been refining my "style" and what my preferred content is. I've been working on this for years. I used to think of it as a goal with an endpoint, I'm starting to wonder if it is a never ending search that will haunt me for my entire career. That said, I've got something down that I'm happy with for the moment.

I have a hasselblad 500cm coming to me tomorrow, which will effectively replace the Nikon 35mm I've been using. You'd think I'd be elated. I am--kind of. For the first time, I'll have awesome equipment AND a vision/goal that I have a strong desire to execute. Oddly, instead of being happy, I'm finding myself very nervous.

I have no more excuses. I can't say I don't have the right equipment, or that I'm just not sure what I want to shoot. I have it all figured out, and now I have to actually get out there and work.

Perhaps this wouldn't be so nerve-racking if I didn't, somewhere in my mind, except that because now I have great equipment and a vision that 100% of my photos will be awesome and exhibition worthy. I know this won't be, but for some reason it's hard to shake the idea that even with the best equipment and intentions, I'll be lucky to get a good image per week.

In case you haven't figured out by now, I'm an extremely anxious case--and there's only enough Klonopin in the world.

Have any of you felt this way before? What did you do to get over it?

Any advice or reassuring words would be greatly appreciated

Thanks--

TA

AA once said 1 good image every 10 yearswould be a good harvest. I agreeand with your vision and equipment, you will most-likely beat that. Good luck and good light;keep sharing.photography is beautiful because it is hard.If it would be easy, it would be less fun.There is no joyand pride in successwithout the possibilityand risk of failure.

 

[Hatchetman]

AA once said 1 good image every 10 yearswould be a good harvest. I agreeand with your vision and equipment, you will most-likely beat that. Good luck and good light;keep sharing.photography is beautiful because it is hard.If it would be easy, it would be less fun.There is no joyand pride in successwithout the possibilityand risk of failure.

Well said. Couldn't agree more.

 

[frank]

Someone else, with lower standards I guess, said they get a good image for every 80 square inches of film exposed.

1 per 36 roll of 135
1 per roll of 120
1 per 2 sheets of 4x5

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

AA once said 1 good image every 10 yearswould be a good harvest. I agreeand with your vision and equipment, you will most-likely beat that. Good luck and good light;keep sharing.photography is beautiful because it is hard.If it would be easy, it would be less fun.There is no joyand pride in successwithout the possibilityand risk of failure.

What an wonderful attitude. And approach. And post. Excellence is supremely difficult to achieve. It can be even more difficult to aspire to. Many are those who quickly abandon that goal, just because it's hard. And rare are the ones who seek out that goal, precisely because it's hard.



Ken

 

[Henry Alive]

Actually Hasselblad are great for sports and wildlife photography including birds without a tripod. I have done it. What are you basing your opinion on?

I base my opinion in my own experience. Obviously, it is just my opinion.
Henry.

 

[frank]

I base my opinion in my own experience. Obviously, it is just my opinion.
Henry.

Shared by many, I think. I use my 500cm handheld as much as on a tripod, but it is definitely not my first choice for sports or wildlife. Just my opinion based on my experience.