Beyond The Crane took the opportunity to learn more about local photographer Ingemar Hellsten. From starting out, the need of creativity and playfulness, to pushing himself to try new techniques and mediums.
Photos: Ingemar Hellsten, Christian Skog (portraits of Ingemar)
BTC: Beyond The Crane IH: Ingemar Hellsten
BTC: What is it that you do?
IH: I’m a photographer from, and based in Malmö. I mostly shoot street, but lately I’ve dabbled a bit in landscape photography. It’s a nice break from the hectic nature of street photography. I’m also studying photography at Östra Grevie Folkhögskola at the moment, and I’m having the time of my life.
BTC: How did you get started?
IH: I took a photography course at Malmö Kulturskola in 2018, and I guess that is what sparked my interest in photography. Although it was fun, I didn’t take it that seriously – it was mostly just a fun way to hang out with friends. But in December of 2021 I got a camera from my parents as a christmas gift, this led to me taking photography more seriously and three years later I’m where I’m at today, grabbing my camera each time I go out the door!
BTC: Why do you do what you do?
IH: Because it’s fun! Photography has also given me a new perspective on my surroundings and serves as a bit of motivation to go out and explore! It serves as a way for me to explore the familiar places of my everyday life with new eyes. I also feel like I want to leave something behind, leave my little mark on the world in some way.
BTC: What does your process typically look like? (Projects/planning/collaboration/etc.)
IH: Most of the time I don’t have a project or specific photograph in mind, I just go out to shoot for fun and whatever happens happens. I find that when you set expectations for a photo walk or shoot you most of the time end up getting disappointed, at least that seems to hold true for street photography. The spontaneity and uncertainty of what you are going to capture is what makes street photography fun and exciting!
Most of my projects that I’ve created so far have happened after I’ve taken the images. I tend to notice similarities, and themes in my images and my projects are created thereafter. My mini project “In the absence of identity” was made after the included images were taken. I noticed a theme and a pattern in a lot of the images I had shot and made the project out of them! I do want to get better at formulating projects before they are created, working on creating something from scratch rather than creating something from preexisting material.
BTC: Do you show your projects/images to someone else for thoughts and input along the way? If so, who? How does it happen?
IH: I mostly work by myself, but if I feel unsure about a photo or a series of photos I often show my girlfriend or my friends and ask for their input and opinions on it. It’s not always that I act on what they suggest or think, but it’s nice to hear what other people have to say about the work in progress. I think asking others for input can be a good thing and can be very constructive, but if you have an idea it’s often best to stick with it and do what resonates with you, all people have different tastes and preferences in art after all…
BTC: How do you know when a work/project is finished?
IH: That’s a tough question, I’m not entirely sure… For me it’s just a bit of a gut feeling, an instinct that tells me that I’m done with a work/project. Of course there’s always stuff that can be tweaked and improved, but I trust my gut to tell me when a project is finished most of the time.
BTC: How do you put yourself into what you do? (Is it important? Should people immediately recognize your work as yours?)
IH: I don’t actively try to put myself into my work, I think it comes subconsciously. As long as you do something that you are happy with and feel like it’s true to yourself it will show in your work. I think this shows in my work. And although I would find it fun if people saw my work and went “oh that’s Ingemars photos” it’s not something I actively try to force. My own style will develop with time as long as I try to push myself to be true to myself and always do what resonates with me!
BTC: How do you avoid getting too comfortable in your photography?
IH: I try to push myself to try new techniques and mediums, whether that be a different focal length, a new subject matter or something totally different! Right now I’m dabbling a bit in analog photography and darkroom printing. iIt’s a really fascinating process and it’s so easy to just let time fly by when you’re in the darkroom. Infrared photography is also something that has really caught my interest this year, being able to capture the invisible through photography is really exciting.
Any place/person/event you dream of photographing?
At the risk of sounding like almost every street photographer ever, I would really like to photograph in New York City. I would like to photograph a bigger, more lively city than Malmö, really feel the pulse of the city. And I think New York would be that place.
To photograph in Snowdonia or some other large and impressive national park or landscape would also be really cool. Since I began to photograph landscapes more often I’ve been longing for more expansive and more impressive natural areas than what we have in Skåne.
BTC: What do you wish someone to feel/do when they see your photographs?
IH: I’m not quite sure, to be honest. I think I want people to feel the joy I experience when making photographs, to feel the excitement and playfulness of seeing your hometown with fresh eyes. At least that is what I think I want people to feel when they see my street photos. It’s a tough question though, and something that I’m still working on figuring out myself.
BTC: What inspires you?
IH: Early color photography is a big inspiration in my work. I’m really fascinated by the works of photographers like Ernst Haas, Saul Leiter and Alex Webb. The sheer creativity and playfulness in their images really speaks to me. Just general life and the environment around me is also a big inspiration. Patches of light, textures, and colors all tend to spark my interest and often lead to me making an image.
If it wasn’t Photography, what do you think would be your creative expression?
I’m not much of a writer or musician, so probably not any of those mediums. What really struck me with photography is how it allowed me to get a new perspective on the world, to see it in a new way. So I think I would still express myself through some kind of visual medium, maybe drawing or painting. Another thing I like about photography is the ability to do it wherever, whenever. So maybe bringing a sketchbook with me would be a nice way of expression if photography didn’t exist.
I’ve dabbled a bit in performance at Östra Grevie as well; and while it was fun, challenging and very interesting and exciting to do I don’t really think it’s what I would gravitate towards if photography was out of the question.
BTC: What is it like to be a creative type in Malmö?
IH: It’s great! The photography community here in Malmö is very supportive and just feels very open and inviting. Your other ventures like Famn and Kran are great outlets for other photographers and creative types in Malmö. Over all Malmö just feels like a great city for creatives and artists, there’s just so much going on within the community.
BTC: What is your favourite place in Malmö and why?
IH: I really like Pildammsparken, it’s like a green little oasis in the middle of Malmö. Such a nice place if I just want to take a walk and have a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
BTC: Going forward, what are your plans for the future?
IH: Right now I’m just going to finish my studies at Östra Grevie, see where that takes me. Maybe I will go on to study at HDK Valand or some other art institution or maybe I’ll do something completely different! Only time will tell…
One thing is sure though and that is that I’m going to continue with photography! There’s so much stuff I still want to try out and do!
BTC: Why do you still do what you do?
IH: I feel like I’ve only just begun! Photography has become an integral part of my life and I couldn’t imagine my life without it, there’s still so much to do that I haven’t done!
Beyond The Crane took the opportunity to learn more about local photographer Ingemar Hellsten. From starting out, the need of creativity and playfulness, to pushing himself to try new techniques and mediums.
Photos: Ingemar Hellsten, Christian Skog (portraits of Ingemar)
BTC: Beyond The Crane IH: Ingemar Hellsten
BTC: What is it that you do?
IH: I’m a photographer from, and based in Malmö. I mostly shoot street, but lately I’ve dabbled a bit in landscape photography. It’s a nice break from the hectic nature of street photography. I’m also studying photography at Östra Grevie Folkhögskola at the moment, and I’m having the time of my life.
BTC: How did you get started?
IH: I took a photography course at Malmö Kulturskola in 2018, and I guess that is what sparked my interest in photography. Although it was fun, I didn’t take it that seriously – it was mostly just a fun way to hang out with friends. But in December of 2021 I got a camera from my parents as a christmas gift, this led to me taking photography more seriously and three years later I’m where I’m at today, grabbing my camera each time I go out the door!
BTC: Why do you do what you do?
IH: Because it’s fun! Photography has also given me a new perspective on my surroundings and serves as a bit of motivation to go out and explore! It serves as a way for me to explore the familiar places of my everyday life with new eyes. I also feel like I want to leave something behind, leave my little mark on the world in some way.
BTC: What does your process typically look like? (Projects/planning/collaboration/etc.)
IH: Most of the time I don’t have a project or specific photograph in mind, I just go out to shoot for fun and whatever happens happens. I find that when you set expectations for a photo walk or shoot you most of the time end up getting disappointed, at least that seems to hold true for street photography. The spontaneity and uncertainty of what you are going to capture is what makes street photography fun and exciting!
Most of my projects that I’ve created so far have happened after I’ve taken the images. I tend to notice similarities, and themes in my images and my projects are created thereafter. My mini project “In the absence of identity” was made after the included images were taken. I noticed a theme and a pattern in a lot of the images I had shot and made the project out of them! I do want to get better at formulating projects before they are created, working on creating something from scratch rather than creating something from preexisting material.
BTC: Do you show your projects/images to someone else for thoughts and input along the way? If so, who? How does it happen?
IH: I mostly work by myself, but if I feel unsure about a photo or a series of photos I often show my girlfriend or my friends and ask for their input and opinions on it. It’s not always that I act on what they suggest or think, but it’s nice to hear what other people have to say about the work in progress. I think asking others for input can be a good thing and can be very constructive, but if you have an idea it’s often best to stick with it and do what resonates with you, all people have different tastes and preferences in art after all…
BTC: How do you know when a work/project is finished?
IH: That’s a tough question, I’m not entirely sure… For me it’s just a bit of a gut feeling, an instinct that tells me that I’m done with a work/project. Of course there’s always stuff that can be tweaked and improved, but I trust my gut to tell me when a project is finished most of the time.
BTC: How do you put yourself into what you do? (Is it important? Should people immediately recognize your work as yours?)
IH: I don’t actively try to put myself into my work, I think it comes subconsciously. As long as you do something that you are happy with and feel like it’s true to yourself it will show in your work. I think this shows in my work. And although I would find it fun if people saw my work and went “oh that’s Ingemars photos” it’s not something I actively try to force. My own style will develop with time as long as I try to push myself to be true to myself and always do what resonates with me!
BTC: How do you avoid getting too comfortable in your photography?
IH: I try to push myself to try new techniques and mediums, whether that be a different focal length, a new subject matter or something totally different! Right now I’m dabbling a bit in analog photography and darkroom printing. iIt’s a really fascinating process and it’s so easy to just let time fly by when you’re in the darkroom. Infrared photography is also something that has really caught my interest this year, being able to capture the invisible through photography is really exciting.
Any place/person/event you dream of photographing?
At the risk of sounding like almost every street photographer ever, I would really like to photograph in New York City. I would like to photograph a bigger, more lively city than Malmö, really feel the pulse of the city. And I think New York would be that place.
To photograph in Snowdonia or some other large and impressive national park or landscape would also be really cool. Since I began to photograph landscapes more often I’ve been longing for more expansive and more impressive natural areas than what we have in Skåne.
BTC: What do you wish someone to feel/do when they see your photographs?
IH: I’m not quite sure, to be honest. I think I want people to feel the joy I experience when making photographs, to feel the excitement and playfulness of seeing your hometown with fresh eyes. At least that is what I think I want people to feel when they see my street photos. It’s a tough question though, and something that I’m still working on figuring out myself.
BTC: What inspires you?
IH: Early color photography is a big inspiration in my work. I’m really fascinated by the works of photographers like Ernst Haas, Saul Leiter and Alex Webb. The sheer creativity and playfulness in their images really speaks to me. Just general life and the environment around me is also a big inspiration. Patches of light, textures, and colors all tend to spark my interest and often lead to me making an image.
If it wasn’t Photography, what do you think would be your creative expression?
I’m not much of a writer or musician, so probably not any of those mediums. What really struck me with photography is how it allowed me to get a new perspective on the world, to see it in a new way. So I think I would still express myself through some kind of visual medium, maybe drawing or painting. Another thing I like about photography is the ability to do it wherever, whenever. So maybe bringing a sketchbook with me would be a nice way of expression if photography didn’t exist.
I’ve dabbled a bit in performance at Östra Grevie as well; and while it was fun, challenging and very interesting and exciting to do I don’t really think it’s what I would gravitate towards if photography was out of the question.
BTC: What is it like to be a creative type in Malmö?
IH: It’s great! The photography community here in Malmö is very supportive and just feels very open and inviting. Your other ventures like Famn and Kran are great outlets for other photographers and creative types in Malmö. Over all Malmö just feels like a great city for creatives and artists, there’s just so much going on within the community.
BTC: What is your favourite place in Malmö and why?
IH: I really like Pildammsparken, it’s like a green little oasis in the middle of Malmö. Such a nice place if I just want to take a walk and have a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
BTC: Going forward, what are your plans for the future?
IH: Right now I’m just going to finish my studies at Östra Grevie, see where that takes me. Maybe I will go on to study at HDK Valand or some other art institution or maybe I’ll do something completely different! Only time will tell…
One thing is sure though and that is that I’m going to continue with photography! There’s so much stuff I still want to try out and do!
BTC: Why do you still do what you do?
IH: I feel like I’ve only just begun! Photography has become an integral part of my life and I couldn’t imagine my life without it, there’s still so much to do that I haven’t done!
LEARN MORE
You can follow Ingemar’s latest work on Instagram at @hellstenphotography
Ingemar’s Website