"Bendy Blad" in the outback - Stavros Pippos

I thought you might be interested to know how I'm getting on with my modified Flexbody now that its well run in. Well I can tell you the news is all positive.

I have just returned from yet another photgraphic adventure into the South Australian outback, this time the Gawler Ranges north west of Port Augusta. This book, which has consumed my life for the past four years, is nearing completion. In fact a date has now been set for the launch. It will take place in the David Jones Gallery, Adelaide, on July 20, 2001. To celebrate its release, an exhibition of my work will be on display in the gallery until the end of August.

Most of my trips this year have been to remote locations where weight has been a serious consideration. This brings me to the most valued piece of equipment I own, thanks to you, my modified Hasselblad Flexbody. I have been able to capture images that otherwise would not have been possible without lugging the heavy Linhof 4 x 5, and with my ailing back this was out of the question. I have now followed all of the creeks and rivers into Lake Eyre, often pushing the aluminium punts through lignum and cane-grass swamps, over rocks, logs and across shallow lakes. These expediitions have given me the opportunity to feature locations never before photographed.

The Flexbody has worked superbly and never have I found it necessary to fully extend the range of movements to their lilmit. I now find I'm using the Flexbody to back-up the Linhof. The critical time for me is sunrise and sunset when seconds are often the difference between a mediocre and brilliant result. So when the chips are down I take a series of shots on the Flexbody between 4 x 5 image, this ensures I don't miss the critical moment when the landscape is at its optimum.

Again many thanks for this superbly engineered piece of equipment. The results will be for others to judge when the book is released next year.

Stavros Pippos