APERTURE: F/3,5

SHUTTER SPEED: 1/20 SEC

CAMERA: HASSELBLAD X1D-50C

FOCAL LENGTH: 45MM (XCD 3,5/45)

© JULIUS HIRTZBERGER

WEEKLY WINNER

Julius Hirtzberger

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

What made you become the photographer you are today?

Being surrounded by beauty in general has played an important role in my life early on. My parents, although not artists, photographers, designers or the like, always emphasized the importance of beautiful environments (be it architecture, furniture, fashion etc.) for one’s well-being. Later on, as a business student, I somehow got my hands on a Hasselblad 500 ELX and I was immediately intrigued. Ever since, I have never photographed just for the sake of photography. Instead, photography is the ideal medium that somehow “forces” me to think about and dig a bit deeper into the beauty of things surrounding me in order to identify their very essence. Thus, observing and analysing are crucial parts of my rather slow-paced workflow.

What does the X System camera do for your photography?

Given my motivation for photography as stated above, medium format cameras – particularly Hasselblad cameras – perfectly support my style and my workflow. On top of that, the X System adds the portability necessary to bring the camera to every occasion no matter if it is an advertising assignment in the studio or a 14-day adventure in the African bush. The ability to be that versatile with just one camera is what I love so much about the Hasselblad X System.

Tell us the story behind how you created your image.

This image was captured at the first morning light on 2 January 2019 on the glacier of Margherita Peak (5109m above sea level), right before reaching the top of the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda. This scenery, with this very intense light and the breathtaking landscape, was reward enough for endless hours of tedious hiking through mud and rough terrain during the 8 days before and the 1am wake-up call on the peak-day (at -15 degrees Celsius). These moments were so intense – I had tears in my eyes while taking this photograph, which made it a bit difficult to compose and nail the focus. As with all of my images in general, this image is by no means overdone in post. The intense morning light actually brightened the ice, giving these magenta and red tones!