Bespoke 645 photography experience

In this day and age, cameras have become very sophisticated and augmented with photoshop and AI tools. The result has seen a dramatic drop in basic photographic skills.
I begin with the intention of the photograph, the planning, setup and capture of the shot, keeping everything traditional about photography in place. There is no image stabilization or automatic features, rather the photographer has to make decisions on the artistic and physical needs of the photo. Putting you back in the drivers seat of the photographic experience.
At the end of the workshop we look at the best photos to edit, then print mount and frame your own work to take home.

Let’s start with what makes digital medium format cameras so prestigious? 

Both Hasselblad and Phase One have remained focussed on achieving the best digital image that is possible. With camera bodies ranging from $34,000 to $51,000 you are investing in images with precision and detail that really has to be seen to be believed. In addition, their lenses have precision optics and leaf shutters for strobe sync up to 1/2000s. Your investment in image quality is a significant one. To discover the possibilities, your choices are to purchase, rent or book a medium format workshop. 

Course outline.

Step 1. 

Contact me so we can tailor the course to suit your needs, topic of interest and photographic style. Phone (650) 922 6183 or email contact@markthompson.media

Day 1. 

We meet and discuss the gear and it’s handling with particular attention on the selection required for the intended shoot. The rest of the day is spent on location getting familiar with the Hasselblad shooting experience and mastering the camera for the best results. We can take our time to achieve a final image that has substance and meaning and let you garner a true understanding of medium format cameras. This experience will allow you to make a well informed decision on which direction you would like to take your photography.

Day 2. 

We explore the RAW files from the shoot and make a selection to edit. I will guide you through Phocus, Hasselbald’s RAW editing software, and explain its features. You will fine tune your best image in to a piece of art. In the true interest of photography, we will then print your work on Hahnemühle fine art cotton rag, the perfect companion paper for Hasselblad images. To complete the process, we will mount and frame your image for you to take home and share your bespoke 645 experience. (Fine art print up to 1600 sq inches included in course.)

Costs (per person) maximum group size 2 people.

Local 2 day course $1200.00 - Based within 30 miles of Salt Lake County.

For a remote location, add as many $400.00 extra day fees as you wish, travel at 65c per mile and accommodation from $150.00 (TAB400 or Hotel)

About Mark Thompson

My interest in photography began at an early age, shooting film and developing negatives and photos in my fathers dark room. I was involved in photography at school and our local camera club. During the 80’s I switched to slides, while traveling extensively by mountain bike. I spent 12 months in the saddle exploring New Zealand, Europe and South America. 

I returned to New Zealand as an electronics manufacturing production manager for a telemetry company. I built a house and raised a family. In 2014 I left payed employment and returned to photography. I bought into Sony mirrorless and traveled the USA by motorcycle resulting in my first book.

A 25,000 mile photographic journey across the USA.

At the conclusion of this trip I switched to Canon 35mm Full Frame SLR for better image quality and a significantly more reliable camera. I took on a large number jobs filming and photographing festivals, concerts and events. At this time I bought a 24” printer and began printing my own work for a number of exhibitions in the Wellington region. 

My taste for medium format had been ignited, I bought a heavily used Hasselblad H3D-22 medium format camera. It was slow to focus, none of the tricks and features of the previous cameras. What it did though, was take the most amazing images I had ever seen. My logic shifted to this line of thought. If I’m going to be in the right place, at the right time, I should have the right camera with me. I upgraded once again to the Hasselblad H6D-100c

Why did I choose the H6D-100c? 

The answer is simple, the larger sensor takes full advantage of the image circle of the 645 lenses, allowing me to capture a wide field of view. It allows me flexibility to crop back to a subject, the option to shoot with a tilt shift lens if I desired. Ultimately, It is the final image quality I desired most.

Hasselblad does not have speedy auto focus or image stabilization. The camera with lenses, is big and heavy. None of that matters compared to what can be delivered to paper or screen. The printed work I am doing now is mind boggling in detail with so many new elements to see in an image every time you look. The most important part though, is the shooting experience, this is a camera system that has put a smile on my face every time I use it. 

I invite you to come and share this experience with me.