MY CAMERAS
Hasselblad 500 C/M
A true precision instrument, rare, and one of the most iconic medium-format cameras in history, the 500 C/M is the absolute furthest it can get from a point-and-shoot. It is not easy to handle; its waist-level viewfinder reflects a y-axis-mirrored image, forcing the photographer to meditate on every composition. The 70s Swedish engineering is just as intentional and methodical. The camera in itself is a work of art. Its leaf shutter system reaches 1/500th of a second. It uses Carl Zeiss lenses, all of which are beautiful pieces of glass. It is entirely modular, making its lenses, viewfinder, film back, focusing screen, and even film advance interchangeable. These attributes make it highly versatile, effortlessly capable in portraiture, fashion, the studio, the street, landscapes, and anywhere else it might find itself... such as the moon. A modified version was used during NASA’s Apollo missions, including Apollo 11’s moon landing. Aside from Neil Armstrong, it has been used and valued by several household-name photographers like Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, Irving Penn, and Lois Greenfield, among others. It’s so highly revered for so many reasons, and I'm honored to own one.
Polaroid SX-70
First produced in 1972, finding one of these bad boys in good condition is rare. Enamored, I initially bought one for myself at 16, and was placed on a waitlist. Over a year later, I told my Aunt what I was waiting on. She exclaimed, brought my grandfather’s SX-70 up from her basement, and handed it down to me. It is in beautiful condition, and its folding mechanism is just so cool. It uses square film sheets that are 3 + ⅛” by 3 + ⅛”, larger than your standard polaroid. In high school, a friend taught me how to do Polaroid transfers, which has since become a common practice of mine. Though its sentimental value is enormous, and its cool factor astronomical, it has also become a significant tool in my artistry.
Nikon Nikkormat FTN SLR
My beloved analog 35mm from 1967. I use this sturdy, (very heavy) hunk of metal primarily for street photography. Entirely reliable, durable, forgiving, and usable. Most of my images developed with experimental alternative darkroom processes are 35mm exposures taken with this camera.
Canon EOS R
Putting analog aside, I am a Canon purist. The Canon EOS R is full frame and mirrorless digital camera, with a 30.3 megapixel sensor. It has truly become an extension of my body.