Justin Hackworth
Portrait | Last Updated: April 4, 2024
Hi there. I’m Justin Hackworth and I’m a photographer living in Utah. I’ve been working as a photographer since 1999 and love what I do. The photographers that resonate the most with me and who I love going back to look at their work again and again are Lee Friedlander, Elliott Erwitt, Gary Winnogrand, Robert Frank. I love the classic, documentary feel of what they do and am interested in making images that will move others and speak to people in the same way the photographs of my favorite photographers speak to me. To do that, here’s the gear I use.
Cameras
Canon 5D Mark III – I can shoot 80% of a portrait session with this camera and one lens and love the results.
Backup – Canon 5D Mark II
Contax G2 – Back when I was shooting film 100% of the time, I took this camera with me everywhere. I love its design and build (it’s titanium!) and can’t get rid of it. So I still shoot a roll or two with it now and again. The sound of the shutter clicking is one of my favorite sounds in the world. Almost as joyful as the sound of a baby laughing. Um, yeah. It’s that great.
Rolleiflex twin lens – I love this camera for individual or couples portraits with TMax 400. It really slows down the process to shoot with this. It forces you to be far more deliberate in the choices you make regarding where and when to shoot.
Yashika t4 (not pictured) – I deliberately use the on camera flash to get that harsh light that normally I’d avoid. The Zeiss lens on this little guy produce remarkable sharp images for a simple point and shoot camera.
Lenses
Canon 50mm f/1.4 – I love using this for individual portraits. Also, once the sun goes down, it shines bright in low light.
Canon 28mm f/2.8 – I don’t use this all that often, but still carry it around and use it from time to time.
Canon 24-105mm f/4L – If I had just one lens, it would be this. I can do so much of a shoot with just this one lens and be pleased with the results. It doesn’t do everything, but it does a heck of a lot.
Extras
Canon 600 EX-RT flash and flash trigger – I want to use flash as little as possible, but sometimes, I don’t have a choice. So, I use this flash. I’m glad Canon updated it so that it has a built in radio receiver so that I can use it with the accompanying trigger, instead of having to use Pocket Wizards.
Quantum Turbo SC flash pack – This powerful pack can keep the flash juiced up all day and night night. No matter how long the session lasts, I have never run out of power when using this.
Sekonic L-408 Light meter – The meter in my Rolleiflex is broken. It’s never worked as long as I’ve had it. So I use this instead.
Sandisk compact flash cards, mostly 8 GB
Mints, because you know, fresh breath is important
I pack all this up in a Clik Elite Pro Express bag. Everything fits, plus, when traveling, I can also add my laptop and carry this on to the plane without having to check any of the gear.
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