2. editorial Content
Wishing you joy and success in
2011! It looks like it’s going to
be a good year for the industry,
having surmounted the lows
of the past year. For the photo
industry, the last few months
have shown a positive trend. Orders have improved
considerably, advertising budgets are climbing and The portraits of
more complex projects are being taken on again. Colombians taken by
At VICTOR online, we’ve seen increasing numbers Niels van Iperen
of photographers submitting exciting portfolio proj with his H3D-39 are
ects; but that isn’t all that made 2010 a good year for as multi-faceted
our magazine: the inclusion of new columns focusing as the country itself
on the winner of the Hasselblad Owners’ Club Photo
of the Month, and on Hasselblad Masters, have strength
ened our editorial profile and were appreciated by our
4 >> News
readers. VICTOR online’s social media activity was H4D-40 Stainless Steel: the H4D-40’s inner beauty is externa-
also a resounding success – especially on Facebook. lized in a special edition camera, initially limited to 100 units ·
Of course, we won’t rest on our laurels, but con H4D-40 Ferrari Edition: two iconic high-class brands have
tinue to work on improving VICTOR online, making
joined forces to create 499 units of a limited edition camera
it more international and interactive. In 2010,
we already started including ‘making of’ videos with
many portfolios, so that readers could also see how
the outstanding pictures presented were taken. This 6 >> niels van iperen
multi-media linkage will be strengthened this year. In the contrast-rich, dramatic portraits of his “Colombia” series,
Social media activities will also be expanded in
Dutch photographer Niels van Iperen immortalizes the diversity of
2011. We’d like our considerable Facebook communi
ty to grow – but you’re probably already part of it,
the South American country’s inhabitants, whilst also presenting
aren’t you? If not, please visit www.facebook.com/ a multi-faceted and hopeful image of his adopted home.
VICTORbyHasselblad and discover how other fans
are rating Niels van Iperen’s current portfolio, or which
international photographer has uploaded a new image. 22 >> Edward alba
Internationality was always important to VICTOR
Users of the Hasselblad Owners’ Club have chosen an image
online because we consider ourselves a platform for
professional photographers around the world, mea by the Peruvian fashion photographer as Photo of the Month. At
suring, like a seismograph, where the photo scene is VICTOR online he introduces some of his most beautiful shots,
active. We recently observed, for example, that and explains why one of his models had to stand still for 22 hours.
South America represents a developing market, where
Hasselblad cameras are increasingly in demand and
where a thriving photo scene has been established.
This is why I’m particularly pleased to present three
26 >> Morfi Jimenez mercado
series from South America in this issue: the cover shot Peruvian Hasselblad Master, Morfi Jimenez Mercado, is passion-
was taken by Colombia-based photographer, Niels ate about portrait photography. He used artificial lighting and
van Iperen, and his portfolio, starting page 6, shows atmospheric coloring to enhance his images of local people in the
multi-faceted portraits from his adopted home and
Andean province of Cuzco. His next project takes him to Iquitos.
the people living there. Peruvian Hasselblad Master,
Morfi Jimenez Mercado, used an H3D-39 to capture
the inhabitants of the Andean province of Cuzco. The
Hasselblad Owners’ Club chose a picture by Peruvian 42 >> preview
commercial and fashion photographer, Edward Alba, Equipped with an H3DII-50, Danish photographer, Henrik Sørensen,
as Photo of the Month. Starting on page 22, you can
managed to get impressive underwater photos of dancers from the
see this and other of his colorful, super sharp photos.
I wish you pleasure and inspiration as you browse
Royal Danish Ballet. With the masterful use of light and shadow,
through the January issue of VICTOR online, and look and the precise poses, the images completely captivate the viewer.
forward to lively exchanges with you in 2011.
Yours,
Stephan Bittner,
publisher VICTOR online
ONLINE 1/2011 3
3. victornEWS
Special edition
new stainless steel
limited edition
H4D Ferrari edition
HOC
Hasselblad
H4D-40 out now available now Owners’ Club
12/2010
The design concept was already presented last au- The exclusive H4D-40 Ferrari edition is
tumn at the Hasselblad booth at photokina, and the limited to only 499 units. This special
reaction from visitors was so enthusiastic that a limited issue of Hasselblad’s newest medium
number of the H4D-40 Stainless Steel camera will format camera was first presented and
be produced. With this special edition, the success- enthusiastically received by visitors to
ful medium format H4D-40’s inner beauty will also this year’s photokina in Cologne, Ger-
be externalized: While all H4D cameras are built many. It is now available for 21,499.- €
in a robust stainless steel casing, in the case of the (plus VAT), including a Hasselblad HC
H4D-40 Stainless Steel it will be visible. This will not 2.8/80 mm lens.
only show the camera’s core strength, but will also The H4D Ferrari edition comes in the
ensure appealing aesthetics. With an initial series of unique Ferrari red – the “rosso fuoco”,
100 units, the camera is an eye-catcher that contains fire red – with the legendary racing shield
all the incredible H4D technology, such as Hasselblad’s adding its classic touch. It is packaged in
groundbreaking True Focus and Absolute Position an exclusively designed and engineered
Lock technology, as well as the latest in extended box with a glass top equally labeled with
functionality, including an electronic spirit level, the distinctive Ferrari racing shield. The
camera offers all the technical advantag-
es of the excellent H4D-40, such as True
Focus and Absolute Position Lock tech- Hasselblad users all over the world exchange
nology. For Ferrari enthusiasts striving to news on the Hasselblad Owners’ Club (HOC)
produce images at top speed, Hasselblad’s site. At the end of December, registered us-
new Phocus Quick software, that simply ers chose a new Photo of the Month, taken
sidesteps any kind of complex post-pro- by Eric Lafforgue. With this picture, the
duction, will turn out to be the perfect French travel photographer prevailed over the
tool to „strike home“. strong competition. We will fully introduce
Both Ferrari and Hasselblad have a him in the February issue of VICTOR online. ■
passion for quality, design and perfor-
mance. The exclusive H4D Ferrari edition
is the result of a collaboration between
the two iconic brands, and has a spe-
previews in tethered mode, and a new graphical in- cial appeal for fans of both Ferrari and
formation display. With these advanced features, Hasselblad. “I am proud of the company’s
Hasselblad continues to develop the ultimate camera achievements since the introduction
system for the discerning photographer. of the newest generation of Hasselblad
Further information, the complete technical data, cameras, the H4 series, and feel very hon-
a supplier’s overview and a hands-on demo, can be ored to be able to celebrate our success
found on the Hasselblad website: www.hasselblad.com/ together with such a precious brand,”
promotions/h4d-40-stainless-steel. ■ Dr. Larry Hansen, chairman and CEO of
Hasselblad, affirms. Further informa-
tion about the H4D Ferrari Edition can
be found at www.hasselblad.com/promo-
tions/h4d-40-ferrari-edition. ■
Only 499 units of the
Hasselblad H4D Ferrari
Limited Edition are
being produced. In addi
tion to Ferrari’s unique
red – “rosso fuoco” –, the
camera also bears the
legendary Racing Shield
of the Scuderia Ferrari
4 ONLINE 1/2011
4. Niels Van Iperen
Before going to Colombia, Dutch photographer Niels van Iperen was
afraid of the country: He had heard too many stories of war, violence
and drugs. It turned out, however, to be a magical place, so he
decided to stay and, equipped with Hasselblad cameras, has been
photographing every facet of the intriguing country ever since.
6 ONLINE 1/2011
6. Right: Equipped with just an
H3D-39, Niels van Iperen managed
to capture this snapshot while
riding through the Sierra Nevada
on his way to the Arhuaco Indios
8 ONLINE 1/2011
7. Left: Typical Colombia magic is
captured in this image of a female
vampire haunting an old grave-
yard near Laguna de Guatavita,
an hour away from Bogotá
ONLINE 1/2011 9
9. Niels van Iperen captured a car
with horse power: Junk collectors
comb the streets collecting metal
and paper – and sometimes they
find so much more …
ONLINE 1/2011 11
10. Right: The detailed wrinkles on
this old lady’s face are delightful:
She is holding an Arracacha in
her hands – a type of edible root
that originates from the Andes
12 ONLINE 1/2011
11. Left: The Ticuna are an indigenous
tribe living on the banks of the Amazon.
Even though they own mobile phones
and have cable television, they dress in
traditional garb for tourists
ONLINE 1/2011 13
13. The dark and ugly side of Colom-
bia: Niels van Iperen presents the
“Sicarios”. While very religious,
they are predominantly hit men
employed by drug lords
ONLINE 1/2011 15
14. Right: Heading for the goal:
Colombians are great football
fans. Even so, the Colombian
national teams have yet to
achieve international fame
16 ONLINE 1/2011
15. The drug “Basuco” comes from
the coca plant. To smoke it, it’s
stret hed out with pulverized brick.
c
Where “Basuqueros” live, the walls
are pocked with missing bricks
ONLINE 1/2011 17
17. For this shot, Van Iperen used the
diag nal focus of the tilt and shift
o
adapter mounted on his H3D-39, and
was able to place the emphasis pre-
cisely on the spot where he wanted it
ONLINE 1/2011 19
18. Portfolio Niels Van Iperen
Right: Traveling by bus in Colom- When Dutch photographer Niels van have an incredibly colorful intensity.
bia is an adventure. If and when Iperen was seven, he started taking He masters the use of light – at times
you reach your destination is nev- professional shots at rock concerts. warm sunlight contrasting with dark
er sure; musicians and performers At age 15, Steve Harris of Iron Maid blue skies, at times cold and bright
provide a welcome distraction en stood in front of his lens, followed on an ice blue backdrop. Despite the
by the ‘who’s who’ of music history: unusual 2:1 landscape format that he
Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, Mick uses for his portrait photographs, the
Jagger … Soon van Iperen was cir people are the main protagonists in
cling the globe, and photographing his images. The many background
over 3000 bands and artists. details, however, often serve to com
Between assignments, he tried to plete the stories.
see as much of the world as possible: Most of his Colombian photos
Japan, Cuba and Bolivia – finding have the feel of snap shots. Some re
Latin America particularly interes ally were, while others were carefully
ting. Colombia was one destina staged and used a lot of equipment;
tion, however, that he avoided for yet, despite the degree to which some
a long time. When he at last visited photos have been set up, they always
the country in 2002, he discovered end up looking real and spontane
that many of the horror stories he ous. He uses Hasselblad cameras for
had heard were overblown. “When I all his Colombia photos. “These are
went there I was pleasantly surprised the most ergonomic cameras in the
because, while every Latin country world: They allow for fast shooting,
has fascinating aspects, Colombia can even be used in scarce light cir
seems to have them all in one coun cumstances, and their True Focus
try!” The magical place has held system is indispensable for shooting
him captive ever since. Van Iperen, portraits with large diaphragm open
now 42, has lived in Colombia for ings.” Some pictures were taken with
eight years, doing commercial photo an H3D-39 or an H4D-50. He takes
shoots and running a photo equip the H3D-31, above all, when he is
ment business. heading for less safe areas. “You’re
His love for Colombia is reflected only risking a small part of the in
in his personal projects. They rep vestment in a H4D-50 …”
resent a homage to the country and Van Iperen’s Colombia series was
its people, because Colombia has so inspired, by German photographer,
many facets: Delightful landscapes August Sander. In the 1920s Sander
and the snow-covered Andes, a beau did a series of portraits trying to put
tiful coastline, the Amazon River, and together a sort of “German typol
an amazing variety of plants and ani ogy”. “When I started working on
mals. “But Colombia has to deal with this personal project I departed from
corruption, plus a hundred years of his idea, and set it in Colombia today
internal war, fifty years of guerrilla instead of Germany in the 1920s.”
conflict, and countless paramilitary In addition, Van Iperen sometimes
massacres. It’s the country of Pablo adds very fantastical elements to his
Escobar, and the world center of co pictures: “Where Sander’s photos,
Below: Exclusive insights into caine production.” like his culture, are devoid of any
van Iperen’s work. Further images Van Iperen uses Hasselblad cam ‘fantasy’ elements, in Colombia and
of his Colombia project can be eras to capture the countless faces in my photos it is something inevi
found at www.niels.com for his Colombia series. The pictures table.” ■ julia braune
Please find this movie at www.victorbyhasselblad.com
20 ONLINE 1/2011
19. Left: Playing billiards is a
popular pastime for Colombian
men. “Billar Londres” is one
of the best known meeting points
to play in the capital Bogotá
ONLINE 1/2011 21
20. The PerfecT ADDiTion
To The STAble.
Driving the world’s finest sports car changes The Ferrari H4D-40, produced in a limited edition
the way you drive. And shooting with the world’s of only 499 cameras, provides the perfect photo-
finest camera does the same for your images. graphic accessory to the world’s finest driving
machines. Produced in the new Ferrari “Rosso
The Hasselblad H4D-40 features a 40 Megapixel Fuoco” and bearing the legendary Cavallino
medium format sensor and True Focus (making Rampante, the camera comes with an 80mm lens
auto-focus substantially easier and more accu- and an exclusively designed and engineered glass
rate), and gives you access to the world’s most display box, and will enable you to document life
advanced lenses, the Hasselblad HC/HCD line. from the driver’s seat in a way you never before
The H4D has been specially designed to provide dreamed possible.
the ultimate in both quality and performance. Log on to www.hasselblad.com for more infor-
Just as the cars that inspired it. mation about the Ferrari H4D-40.
Produced under license of Ferrari Spa. FERRARI, the PRANCING HORSE device, all associated logos and distinctive designs are property of Ferrari Spa.
