A Hasselblad is insane. A Canon 5D mark 2 and a 50mm f/1,8 is all everyone needs. Add to that a 28mm f/2,8, and he should be fine for long enough to figure out if photography is for him.
As so often, these photos are so moody! To answer your question involving the climbing it took to get that first shot: yes, it did pay off! It's an unique POV, with the high buildings going up in straight lines and the bright lights from the street falling off in the top. I also like the missing M in 'Olympia Plaza' (I'm a sucker for odd details). Another favorite is the 'glowing convenience store sign', it is just sublime! 'The butcher stall' is very nice too, and what a difference in noise!
I think it's a good thing you tried/try to talk that young man out of buying a Hasselblad as his first camera. That could well lead to the end of his interest in photography. Your advise sounds very good, and maybe you could also consider suggesting exercises in looking at things, scenes, colors etc., even before he has a straightforward, but capable camera (are those still being produced?) with a walkaround zoom and maybe a 35 or 50 mm prime. The 5D II, already mentioned by perfectlight and Arnfinn, is a perfect camera at the price you can pick up a used one. I still use mine.
Thank you, Vincent! The climbing wasn’t too bad. I rode a lift for most of the way up. The vantage point was new for me, too. I’m glad I did it and I quite like the photo. I didn’t notice the missing M until I saw the scan. The convenient store sign was interesting to me. I made an effort during the trip to photograph neon signs, and this little thing was the antidote to many of the extravagant signs I shot. The street markets in Hong Kong are something else, I didn’t take enough photos of them, but they make great subjects.
The Hasselblad question shouldn’t be a thing to begin with. It’s the result of youngsters outsourcing their brain function to TikTok. The 5DII is overkill for him at this stage. Thanks for the suggestion! It reminds me of a book I bought for George about seeing. The first chapter is about finding letters in everyday scenes. It might be a good starting point for the training of seeing.
Whenever anybody asks me about film photography, I always recommend The Camera, The Negative and The Print simply because I've always found them technical but very accessible to a beginner. They helped me immensely when I started out with photography when I was a teenager, and I still reference my (very beat up) copies.
Thanks, Kelly! That’s a great recommendation. I’ve already told him about Ansel Adams and the zone system. This set of books would be a perfect starting point.
Many of your Hong Kong photographs are filled with crowds. Seeing pix of deserted streets is quite a shock! How late at night did you have to wander about to capture the city asleep??
I find your Substack very educational. You introduced me to bamboo (!) scaffolding and now... red cash buckets! I never would have guessed.
You can tell your cousin’s son that a social-media influencer (well, some guy with a photo Substack--me!) said that he should only get a Hasselblad after he's been taking photographs for 55 years. That's what I did. Because, you know, I didn't want to rush into the purchase. ;)
I'm being a bit facetious, but, seriously, you won't appreciate a Hasselblad until you've had years of experience with photography.
I don't know if it's a cautionary tale for your cousin's son, but I will add this story:
In the past year I made two purchases of hyper-expensive cameras--a Leica and a Hasselblad. (Used, of course!)
With the Leica, I immediately felt buyer's remorse. Yes, it's a superior camera, but it wasn't THAT much better than my other cameras. In short, I did not fall under the Leica's spell. I sold it after only a few months, losing quit a bit of money on it.
Then, I bought a (used) Hasselblad X2D 100C three weeks ago and my experience has been completely different from the Leica situation. There are many things I love about the Hasselblad--starting with the way it feels in my hand. I'll spare you further details of my nascent love affair with this camera!
My points for your cousin's son are (1) you need years of experience in photography to know what you need/want and don't need/want in a camera (so start with something cheap!) and (2) don't let a TikToker steer you toward an expensive camera just because of the brand's reputation and status.
My apologies for this extended note, but my experiences with Leica/Hasselblad are fresh in my mind. That Leica sale still stings!
Thank you, Jeremy for the thoughtful comment! I took the last photo of the man in front of the restaurant around 11 pm. That restaurant opens till 2 am, as do many other restaurants in Hong Kong. There are many that open 24 hours, too.
As for the Hasselblad question, I couldn’t believe he needed to be told that. TikTok being the only source of any type of information is toxic for the younger generation. I told him to get a cheap camera and never think of a Hasselblad again, certainly not before I get my hands on one, and I only plan to get a film Hassie. Youngsters! I have no experience with any digital Leica, but I love my M6. It’s as reliable as one could ask for from any camera.
Leicas are brilliant cameras, for sure. The one I got was just not a good fit for me, which illustrates another point. Attitudes toward cameras are very subjective. Camera specs only tell you so much about a camera.
It would be best if your aspiring photographer could put his hands on some cameras and see which suits him the best. He may find that he falls in love with an inexpensive one!
At the end of the day, as you well know, fancy gear is not what makes a good photographer.
A Hasselblad is insane. A Canon 5D mark 2 and a 50mm f/1,8 is all everyone needs. Add to that a 28mm f/2,8, and he should be fine for long enough to figure out if photography is for him.
Thank you, Arnfinn! I totally agree. Even a 5DII might be too advanced for him. It’s also one of my favourite cameras, and I am still using it.
Working on a post shot on a 5DII.
I’d love to see that.
Here it is:
https://psychogeographically.substack.com/p/a-suburb-on-a-hill-hidden-in-fog
Probably publishing it tomorrow.
As so often, these photos are so moody! To answer your question involving the climbing it took to get that first shot: yes, it did pay off! It's an unique POV, with the high buildings going up in straight lines and the bright lights from the street falling off in the top. I also like the missing M in 'Olympia Plaza' (I'm a sucker for odd details). Another favorite is the 'glowing convenience store sign', it is just sublime! 'The butcher stall' is very nice too, and what a difference in noise!
I think it's a good thing you tried/try to talk that young man out of buying a Hasselblad as his first camera. That could well lead to the end of his interest in photography. Your advise sounds very good, and maybe you could also consider suggesting exercises in looking at things, scenes, colors etc., even before he has a straightforward, but capable camera (are those still being produced?) with a walkaround zoom and maybe a 35 or 50 mm prime. The 5D II, already mentioned by perfectlight and Arnfinn, is a perfect camera at the price you can pick up a used one. I still use mine.
Thank you, Vincent! The climbing wasn’t too bad. I rode a lift for most of the way up. The vantage point was new for me, too. I’m glad I did it and I quite like the photo. I didn’t notice the missing M until I saw the scan. The convenient store sign was interesting to me. I made an effort during the trip to photograph neon signs, and this little thing was the antidote to many of the extravagant signs I shot. The street markets in Hong Kong are something else, I didn’t take enough photos of them, but they make great subjects.
The Hasselblad question shouldn’t be a thing to begin with. It’s the result of youngsters outsourcing their brain function to TikTok. The 5DII is overkill for him at this stage. Thanks for the suggestion! It reminds me of a book I bought for George about seeing. The first chapter is about finding letters in everyday scenes. It might be a good starting point for the training of seeing.
Whenever anybody asks me about film photography, I always recommend The Camera, The Negative and The Print simply because I've always found them technical but very accessible to a beginner. They helped me immensely when I started out with photography when I was a teenager, and I still reference my (very beat up) copies.
Thanks, Kelly! That’s a great recommendation. I’ve already told him about Ansel Adams and the zone system. This set of books would be a perfect starting point.
Many of your Hong Kong photographs are filled with crowds. Seeing pix of deserted streets is quite a shock! How late at night did you have to wander about to capture the city asleep??
I find your Substack very educational. You introduced me to bamboo (!) scaffolding and now... red cash buckets! I never would have guessed.
You can tell your cousin’s son that a social-media influencer (well, some guy with a photo Substack--me!) said that he should only get a Hasselblad after he's been taking photographs for 55 years. That's what I did. Because, you know, I didn't want to rush into the purchase. ;)
I'm being a bit facetious, but, seriously, you won't appreciate a Hasselblad until you've had years of experience with photography.
I don't know if it's a cautionary tale for your cousin's son, but I will add this story:
In the past year I made two purchases of hyper-expensive cameras--a Leica and a Hasselblad. (Used, of course!)
With the Leica, I immediately felt buyer's remorse. Yes, it's a superior camera, but it wasn't THAT much better than my other cameras. In short, I did not fall under the Leica's spell. I sold it after only a few months, losing quit a bit of money on it.
Then, I bought a (used) Hasselblad X2D 100C three weeks ago and my experience has been completely different from the Leica situation. There are many things I love about the Hasselblad--starting with the way it feels in my hand. I'll spare you further details of my nascent love affair with this camera!
My points for your cousin's son are (1) you need years of experience in photography to know what you need/want and don't need/want in a camera (so start with something cheap!) and (2) don't let a TikToker steer you toward an expensive camera just because of the brand's reputation and status.
My apologies for this extended note, but my experiences with Leica/Hasselblad are fresh in my mind. That Leica sale still stings!
Thank you, Jeremy for the thoughtful comment! I took the last photo of the man in front of the restaurant around 11 pm. That restaurant opens till 2 am, as do many other restaurants in Hong Kong. There are many that open 24 hours, too.
As for the Hasselblad question, I couldn’t believe he needed to be told that. TikTok being the only source of any type of information is toxic for the younger generation. I told him to get a cheap camera and never think of a Hasselblad again, certainly not before I get my hands on one, and I only plan to get a film Hassie. Youngsters! I have no experience with any digital Leica, but I love my M6. It’s as reliable as one could ask for from any camera.
Leicas are brilliant cameras, for sure. The one I got was just not a good fit for me, which illustrates another point. Attitudes toward cameras are very subjective. Camera specs only tell you so much about a camera.
It would be best if your aspiring photographer could put his hands on some cameras and see which suits him the best. He may find that he falls in love with an inexpensive one!
At the end of the day, as you well know, fancy gear is not what makes a good photographer.
i know you are a fan of 5dii. i have one for sale if you are interested for your nephew. i think it is a better starting camera than hasselblad
oh man, how I miss this city.
Feeling right pulled into it.