So, I'm starting a new blog. Why? A few months ago... perhaps 4 or 5 (sometime around March '06) I looked through a waist level finder for the first time. I'm not sure what it was, but it was magic. Maybe it was the size of the focus glass, or the fact I was using both eyes to look, but it was just magical. This has lead me into adventures with photography. This will be my story telling place.

I was introduced to medium format by my uncle BIll. I guess I had mentioned an interest in borrowing the Hasselblad he had (though I don't think I even knew what it looked like) and he reminded me of it one day. We proceeded to look at his hasselblad 500 c/m and a Bronica medium format that once belonged to my grand uncle Oya. Oya-sensei was a medical doctor in Japan and he actually delivered me, so I've always felt a special connection with him. He had a passion for flower photography and his pictures were often used for the cover of a Japanese medical journal.

Bill offered me a choice and I went for the brand name - Hasselblad. I figured I may as well go for the best and if the photos are no good, it's not the camera. I gave it a go and I was amazed. Suddenly I was able to capture the quality of light and color that I had been imagining but never able to make my own. I think like everyone else, I admired fashion photography and amazing landscapes and architectural photos. But they had something I didn't. It wasn't just the composition (they've still got that on me) but it was the simple quality.

I had been shooting digital exclusively for the past 7 years or so, and I was using sub-par equipment (though I didn't know it at the time). I didn't know what good color film had to offer. As a musician I know it is easy to fall into the "this new piece of gear will make me a better musician" mentality. But, it turns out that having an excellent medium format camera with a waist level finder and good film made my digital cameras look like the toys they are.

I was an OK (often less than OK) digital photographer. I didn't understand the fundamentals; I had a digital mentality - I'll take a lot of photos and one will be good. With a Hasselblad (much like a Nikon f) you have your wits and the camera, and nothing else. No automation. 12 chances to make magic happen on a roll and it's costing money every time I click. It turns out this is the best thing that ever happened to me (as far as hobbies go anyway).

I started from scratch, and I have no shame, so I'm going to write my trials and tribulations and what I've learned quickly along the way. Hope you enjoy.