Håkan Strand is a Fine art photographer from Stockholm, Sweden. When he was a teenager he got interested in photography, he selected photography as an elective subject in school. Håkan published his book “Silent Moments” in 2018.
When he talks about Silent moments “As a photographer, I’m not aiming to break new ground. I would say I’m more of a “preserver” of the old photographic tradition. I enjoy working with old analog cameras and traditional black and white film. It encourages me to work slowly, to take my time, to study the light and environment carefully before I start working.”
Thanks, Håkan for accepting for the invite. Please read on…
Hi Hakan, and thank you for joining us here today! Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Håkan Strand. I’m a photographer from Stockholm, Sweden.
When did you start shooting and how did this love for photography happen?
I first became interested in photography as a teenager when I chose the subject as an elective course in school, back in 1973. I still remember when I saw my first photograph being developed in front of my eyes. It was a magic moment. I didn’t really understand it then, but that moment would have a huge impact on my life.
My interest in photography waxed and waned for many years. But in 1991, when I lived in New York, I became truly hooked. I discovered many galleries for fine art photography and saw many wonderful exhibits. Since then I have been working quite hard to fulfill my dream of being a professional fine art photographer.
Few words about your series of Books “Silent Moments”?
This book is a collection of precious moments that I have had the fortune to experience. It’s also a personal story. It’s the result of a decision I made back in 2007. A decision to make a major change in my life.
I used to work as an anesthetist in a trauma center, a very stressful job. After many years in this hectic environment, I decided to leave my stressful way of living and focus on other values in life. My photography and the way I work is a part of finding a calmer side of life.
As a photographer, I’m not aiming to break new ground. I would say I’m more of a “preserver” of the old photographic tradition. I enjoy working with old analog cameras and traditional black and white film. It encourages me to work slowly, to take my time, to study the light and environment carefully before I start working.
Also, as anyone can see, I have no interest in using my photography to show the less impressive side of humanity. We can already see and hear that every day on our smartphones, on our tv and radio, and in our daily newspaper, and also – many times – in the contemporary art scene. As the title “Silent Moments” indicates, this book is completely the opposite.
So, from my point of view, I hope this book can offer a short break from daily life for anyone who opens it. Maybe something meditative, something that invites the viewer to stop and rest for a little while.
Which photographers have inspired you?
When it comes to landscape photography, I’m inspired by Bill Schwab from Michigan and Kirsten Klein from Denmark. Other photographers I admire are Diane Arbus, especially her earlier work. I’m also a huge fan of Bill Brandt and Edith Tudor-Hart.
What camera and lenses do you use the majority of the time?
- I use a Hasselblad SWC from 1973
- Rolleiflex 2.8 from 1966
- Mamiya 645 from 1984
- and Leica M6 from 1987
Any favorite photography books?
I have so many favorite photography books, but Jean Claude Gautrand’s book of Robert Doisneau, published 2014 by Taschen, is absolutely one of my favorite photography books.
Apart from photography, tell me about your hobbies and interests?
I’m a keen guitar player.
You can find Håkan Strand on the Web:
Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Håkan Strand. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
