Hasselblad about Roberto Bigano
“Roberto is a longstanding master of multi-shot technology and is frequently summoned when pinnacle image quality is of the essence.”
Multi-shot for Pinnacle Image Quality. The Leonardo da Vinci Self-Portrait
Extract from Victor by Hasselblad
“I use the multi-shot for almost everything apart from portraits – sometimes even in landscape photography,” explains Italian photographer Roberto Bigano. “The multi-shot makes the best of every situation, even when you need long exposures or the air is full of dust”.
Roberto Bigano is a longstanding master of multi-shot technology and is frequently summoned when pinnacle image quality is of the essence. For example, when priceless drawings from Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus were removed from their safekeeping in Milano’s famous Biblioteca Ambrosiana for a very short period, it only made sense to use the best possible equipment available on the planet for their photographic documentation. Bigano also photographed Leonardo’s famous drawing kept at Biblioteca Reale, in Turin which is often referred to as a self-portrait. There were certain, unforeseen side effects: “Because the exposures were so sharp, we discovered that several drawings showed serious conservation issues,” Bigano says.
Cover and the full page reproduction ( almost double-sized ) of Leonardo Da Vinci Self-Portrait. The picture is taken using the Hasselblad’s Micro-Step Technique at 88MP.
Read More about the Leonardo da Vinci’ Self-Portrait shooting in Victor by Hasselblad Magazine.
Above, a double page in another number of Victor Magazine showcasing a vintage Bugatti Atalante.
Bigano’s spirit and technology. A different approach.
Who ever said immaculately lit, majestic looking photographs of luxurious automobiles could only be achieved in a studio? Roberto Bigano, Italian photographer specializing in seemingly insurmountable challenges, proves the opposite true. At the great Bugatti centennial gathering in Castiglione della Pescaia in Tuscany, Bigano and his team set about creating glamorous, studio-like images of the most beautiful and indulgent Bugatti ever built. Using an H3DII- 39MS multi-shot camera, the shoot took place right before the eyes of the many Bugatti fans beside the main entrance of Hotel Roccamare in the middle of the Tuscan countryside.
Roberto Bigano is no freshman to the Bugatti scene or the art of shooting on site. His picture book “Divina Bugatti”, published by renowned Italian publisher Franco Maria Ricci, dates back to 1991. At that time, Bigano was only permitted to photograph the cars on location in the Musée National de l’Automobile in Mulhouse, Elsass. Spurred on by what most would consider severe limitation, Bigano conceived a plan and created a portable studio which he installed around his various subjects. Some of the photographs taken during that period, particularly the highlighted silhouette shot of the black Bugatti Atalante in front of the pitch-black background, are legendary today.
Thanks to “Divina Bugatti”, Roberto has enjoyed a prestigious reputation amongst the Bugatti community. He was asked to attend the esteemed gathering for a second round with these fine vintage vessels. From May 23-30, 120 Bugatti owners from around the world were invited on behalf of the Bugatti Club Italy, chaired by Franco Majno, to attend the festival in Tuscany. To behold the proud classics cruising through the picturesque scenery and to see them iconified by Roberto Bigano and his lens – what a sight!
Frederica and Simon Fitzpatrick are the owners of this well preserved 1928 Bugatti type 37a from the Channel island of Guernsey down to the anniversary meeting in Tuscany. All of their cars have names. this one’s called “Flighty”.
Download the pdf with the extract from Victor by Hasselblad Magazine. Please watch it in double-page mode.