Running on Film with the Hasselblad XPan: A Creative Journey
In the world of photography, pushing boundaries and exploring new techniques is what keeps the art form exciting. This editorial photo shoot with my friend Maud was an opportunity to challenge myself and the Hasselblad XPan, a camera known for its deliberate slowness and unique panoramic format. The question I posed was simple yet intriguing: could a running sequence shot on the XPan create a compelling editorial story in just a few frames?
This shoot was more than just a technical test; it was a creative endeavor. I wanted to showcase Maud's versatility as a sports model and add a unique, story-driven element to her portfolio. The challenge was to capture the essence of running in a way that felt both authentic and artistic, using a camera that is anything but fast and spontaneous.
The Power of Context and Mood
Editorial photography, in my opinion, is all about narrative, mood, and context. It's about telling a story through a series of images rather than isolated portraits. This shoot was an opportunity to explore how the XPan could enhance the mood and context of a running sequence, creating a visual narrative that felt bigger than the sum of its parts. I wanted to capture the fluidity of movement against the hard lines of urban architecture, a contrast that would highlight the strength and grace of Maud's running form.
Technical Setup and Creative Choices
The Hasselblad XPan is not typically associated with sports photography, but I saw it as the perfect tool for this project. Its slow speed and deliberate nature forced me to commit and accept that I would miss some moments. I chose to work with a single roll of film, limiting myself to 20 frames, and focused on great collaboration between Maud and me to get the shot in the planned spot with the right posture. I used the 45mm f/4 lens for context-driven frames, capturing the natural sense of space, and the 90mm f/4 lens for detail and separation, isolating Maud and cleaning up the background.
The Day of the Shoot at the Barbican
The Barbican in London provided the perfect backdrop for this shoot. Its hard geometry, concrete surfaces, and sharp lines created a graphic inclination that suited the panoramic film format beautifully. I wanted to place Maud in the light and keep the surroundings mostly in shadow, creating a clear separation between her and the background. The early morning light shifted quickly, and I had to be mindful of where it would create narrow pools or streaks of sun.
The Final Sequence and Lessons Learned
In total, I shot 20 frames, and while not every image was a favorite, a few stood out as the backbone of the series. The first key image was a wide contextual frame, capturing Maud to the side of the track with her upper body lit by the sun and her shadow falling sharply on the wall. The second image was a mid-distance shot where Maud stood still, looking into the distance, with a curved track leading up and away out of frame. The third was a close-up, capturing a moment of imperfection and naturalness during the run.
Looking back, I realized that I had stayed close to the images I had planned, sometimes at the expense of experimentation. I didn't explore motion blur as much as I should have, and a few blurred frames might have added depth to the sequence. This shoot reminded me that an editorial series is not about one perfect moment but about a small narrative built from several images that all serve the same idea. It also highlighted the value of a detailed location scout, which would have saved time and reduced pressure.
The Joy of Creative Discovery
This project confirmed my love for creating concepts with people while still leaving room to improvise. Planning is essential, but locking in every detail can stifle the joy of creativity through discovery. I am happy with what we created that morning, and I know there are things I will do differently next time. That's exactly why portfolio shoots like this matter; they create room for growth and learning.
In the end, this shoot was a testament to the power of pushing boundaries and embracing the unique qualities of a camera like the Hasselblad XPan. It was a journey of discovery, both for the camera and for me as a photographer, and it reminded me of the importance of finding the right balance between planning and spontaneity in the creative process.
