I wish to prove wrong once more all those who believe a Hasselblad should be nailed to a tripod inside a studio and those whoe believe photojournalism can only be done in 35mm, especially now only in digital.
Today the students all over Greece marched against a new proposed law that would make education a matter of business and would take away all protection lent to the students and teachers by the Constitution.
But I am not here to argue that. I am here to state that a Hasselblad only only can be handheld but go through tense and dynamic situations.
I followed the students throughout their whole march from the gathering to the dissolution. I stood there when things got out of hand thanks to a bunch of individuals and when the riot police charged, tear gas and all. Thanks to the bright minds of the uniformed friends that threw the tear gas against the wind and towards themselves, I drunk my first dose of that wonderful chemical.
I did get scared a bit as it was my first demonstration as a photographer and my desire for photographs went often against my personal safety. Unfortunately due to the tear gas I couldn't approach the fighting.
I carried a heavy beast:
a 503CW (my Circe) with WLF, Winder CW, the 180 lens, the Proshade and two A12 backs. I kept the backs loaded all the time (one attached the other on a Lowepro belt) and I think I burn about eight or nine rolls of HP5+ which I stored in Lowepro pouches. I metered only a couple times and the general ambient gave me about f11, 1/500 which I dropped to f8 and sometimes to 1/250 to give me light in all situations. I only fiddled with the focus.
Where there any trouble?
Not really. I found a few seconds to keep a back loaded and only wish I had more practice with the focusing and not forgetting the darkshade. The Winder helped a bit to keep my mind focused and the 180 was great as I could record faces and details that I had in mind of capturing.
I am not sure if I have even one good photograph but in all it was a good experience.
Most of the march was peaceful, none was hurt and it seems the students got some success even though I can not be sure at the moment.
I also enjoyed the attention my Hasselblad was getting. Three students approached me and one actually recognised the camera. I also got to talk a bit to a fellow photographer even if the other pros seemed to ignore me on purpose. I knew some of the journalists and a camera man though.
I went with my cousin who as a student was part of the demonstrator's mass.
Could I publish these photographs?
They were taken mostly for myself but I could have had them ready in digital files in maybe less than three hours even if I didn't rush.
But I am too tired and my eyes still sting a bit.
Phew, my hat's off to those who do it often and especially all those who dodge bullets and rods.
Today the students all over Greece marched against a new proposed law that would make education a matter of business and would take away all protection lent to the students and teachers by the Constitution.
But I am not here to argue that. I am here to state that a Hasselblad only only can be handheld but go through tense and dynamic situations.
I followed the students throughout their whole march from the gathering to the dissolution. I stood there when things got out of hand thanks to a bunch of individuals and when the riot police charged, tear gas and all. Thanks to the bright minds of the uniformed friends that threw the tear gas against the wind and towards themselves, I drunk my first dose of that wonderful chemical.
I did get scared a bit as it was my first demonstration as a photographer and my desire for photographs went often against my personal safety. Unfortunately due to the tear gas I couldn't approach the fighting.
I carried a heavy beast:
a 503CW (my Circe) with WLF, Winder CW, the 180 lens, the Proshade and two A12 backs. I kept the backs loaded all the time (one attached the other on a Lowepro belt) and I think I burn about eight or nine rolls of HP5+ which I stored in Lowepro pouches. I metered only a couple times and the general ambient gave me about f11, 1/500 which I dropped to f8 and sometimes to 1/250 to give me light in all situations. I only fiddled with the focus.
Where there any trouble?
Not really. I found a few seconds to keep a back loaded and only wish I had more practice with the focusing and not forgetting the darkshade. The Winder helped a bit to keep my mind focused and the 180 was great as I could record faces and details that I had in mind of capturing.
I am not sure if I have even one good photograph but in all it was a good experience.
Most of the march was peaceful, none was hurt and it seems the students got some success even though I can not be sure at the moment.
I also enjoyed the attention my Hasselblad was getting. Three students approached me and one actually recognised the camera. I also got to talk a bit to a fellow photographer even if the other pros seemed to ignore me on purpose. I knew some of the journalists and a camera man though.
I went with my cousin who as a student was part of the demonstrator's mass.
Could I publish these photographs?
They were taken mostly for myself but I could have had them ready in digital files in maybe less than three hours even if I didn't rush.
But I am too tired and my eyes still sting a bit.
Phew, my hat's off to those who do it often and especially all those who dodge bullets and rods.
