Spotlight on Bettina Hansen

TID:

 

What have you learned about people in the process of making these images?

 

BETTINA:

 

I learned that people are generally excited to be a part of something when you show interest in them. Especially in shooting those portraits, walking up to people cold on the street, it can be rather awkward. But the little things like making eye contact, showing confidence, seeking out a person who seems open to it… It never surprises me to get shut down by someone who doesn't want their picture taken, but it always surprises me at how many people graciously comply.

 

The other thing that surprised me in shooting those portraits was how people instinctively knew that it wasn't a smiley sort of portrait. Usually I would take one picture, show it to them, move in a little closer for the second picture, show it to them, and then move in for the close-up. More often than not, after seeing the first two pictures, they get a feel for what I'm trying to do. Afterwards, I will get their email or phone number so I can send or text them the picture. This is another thing that's nice about shooting this on the phone. The ability to share pictures with subjects and post to Tumblr immediately has been wonderful.

 

TID:

 

What have you learned about yourself?

 

BETTINA:

 

While I value my alone time after a long day of work, I am a true extrovert. My depression last winter came from spending way too much time alone. The wonderful part about shooting this project was that it forced me to just be around people. Coming home after a walk or meeting a new person felt exhilarating. It reminded me that the best medication for myself is to draw energy from other people, being around people is the reason why I fell in love with photojournalism in the first place. It also taught me that a project doesn't have to be all consuming to be successful. This is a project that I did in between everything else. I think the reason why it stayed fresh for me was that I never worked on it too much to burn myself out.

 

TID:

 

In the end, what do you hope to achieve with these images?

 

BETTINA:

 

From the day I moved to Hartford, it's been a struggle. I never felt truly welcome here. Drivers are aggressive, parts of the city are plagued with devastating poverty and violence, yet less than a mile away, you can see large, gated expensive Victorians and huge insurance companies. Hardly anyone smiles at you on the street. It can be difficult to make friends. However, from the beginning, I knew that I wanted to live in Hartford. Most people run to the suburbs and come in for their 9 to 5s. A reporter who used to cover Hartford neighborhoods told me that the people here never cease to 'delight and frighten' her on a daily basis. That is so true.

 

My personal goal with these pictures has been to explore Hartford, and reflect how I feel about the city in a visual way. It's often called a city with an identity crisis - the underdog. Although it is constantly compared to the other two cities it's sandwiched between (New York City and Boston) hardcore Hartfordites know that it's really not that bad here, once you make some friends and get used to it. Colin McEnroe did a great column about this very thing a while back. Like a lot of cities, Hartford just wants you to participate. Show up, show interest, and you'll be appreciated. I hope that's what is reflected in these images. I don't want it to look like a scary place, but I definitely want to show that it is gritty and beautiful at the same time. I love the history and diversity here, and that is what I have tried to focus on with these images.

 

As far as the project itself, I'm still shooting pictures; you can follow me on Tumblr at hartfordonthephone.tumblr.com and on Twitter @bettinahansen to see how it progresses. It would be nice to do an exhibition in a local space at some point, and maybe put together a small book depending on how things go. But the immediate plan is just shoot more, and to come up with a title. Most of the pictures have been concentrated around the three neighborhoods I feel most comfortable in - the West End, Frog Hollow and Parkville - and I've talked to a couple people about walking together in the neighborhoods that I haven't explored as much.

 

The first response I almost always hear from people upon looking at the photographs is, 'You shot these with your phone?!?' The instrument you use to shoot with doesn't change what makes a good photograph - light, distance, composition, moment. It's all fundamentals. What is important is how the photograph makes you feel, and the story that is conveyed within.

 

 

 

 

Damon Winter's iPhone photographs from Afghanistan caused a stir when they placed in POYi, but they started a great conversation, and he had an excellent response to critics who questioned the ethics of the post-processing of the Hipstamatic app used:

 

"At the heart of all of these photos is a moment or a detail or an expression that tells the story of these soldiers’ day-to-day lives while on a combat mission. Nothing can change that. No content has been added, taken away, obscured or altered. These are remarkable straightforward and simple images."

 

My thought is, if technology has advanced to this point, why not use it? The advantages of using a cell phone to shoot these pictures far outweigh the disadvantages. It is unobtrusive, safer when walking down shady streets and makes me much more approachable than if I'm loaded down with gear. I know that I would not have shot these pictures on my SLR, and I like that. The images transcend the process.

 

TID:

 

How do think people react differently to the different mediums?

 

BETTINA:

 

With a cell phone, I am able to get pictures that are far more honest and real. When shooting on the street, people are very distrustful of cameras. For candids, I can be discreetly taking a picture while in line at Walgreens or walking into Stop and Shop and no one around me knows. This is kind of a scary thing, because in the wrong hands, the ease of taking someone’s picture without them knowing is powerful. I wrestled with the idea of trust and the justification behind these images early on, and always strive to show people in a genuine light, without judgement or ridicule. The covertness with which we can shoot cameraphone photos has spurred ridiculous sites like ‘People of WalMart’ because making fun of people is really easy. That makes me sick to my stomach.

 

For the consciously framed portraits, I approach each subject with my normal spiel, “Hi, my name is Bettina, I’m a photographer doing a project about the people and scenes around Hartford. You are (insert interesting, beautiful, etc.) can I take your picture?” and, depending on the neighborhood, about half the people I ask brush me off, but the other half say yes, usually with either a chuckle or a wary eye. I’m used to this kind of approach, working for a newspaper, but have far less success when I’m out shooting features on the street during working hours. A big DSLR and a press credential is intimidating and official, while everybody and their cousin has a cameraphone in their pocket. It’s a camera of the people, and there is familiarity and trust in something that anyone can use. I found that at first, people were surprised and amused, but after showing them their picture, it clicks. People are exceptionally visually literate today, and many are happy to participate if they feel like they understand what’s going on, and are getting something out of it for themselves.

 

TID:

 

Finally, what advice do you have for photographers wanting to do this kind of work?

 

BETTINA:

 

Just get out out of your house and explore. It is so fulfilling to engage in your neighborhood in a photographic way. Use the tool that best fits what you are trying to achieve. Whether it's shooting large format portraits of your neighbors or making multiple exposures of mailboxes or whatever. Keep it fun and just be safe about it. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and use your street smarts. I've definitely been in some hairy situations, which is why I'm trying to walk with a buddy from now on.