For over 30 years, Rob Hann has captured the unique and noteworthy through his photography, focusing on well-known personalities like Tom Hanks, David Byrne, Chloe Sevigny, Ray Lotta, Willem Dafoe, among others. His work extends across the U.S., exploring iconic roads such as U.S. 89 in Arizona, a favored path to the Grand Canyon, and U.S. 90 in Texas, which leads through the artistic community of Marfa. Much like his portraits, Hann’s depiction of the country’s charmingly eccentric and isolated locations emphasizes individuality, presence, and the passage of time.
Hann’s subjects include everything from handmade road signs and vintage buildings to odd local attractions like shoe-covered trees. He often captures site-specific art installations such as Nancy Holt’s “Sun Tunnels” (1973-76) in Utah’s Great Basin Desert or Magda Sayeg’s crocheted retro camper trailer at El Cosmico in Marfa. His work frequently features a touch of humor, as seen in a sign reading “ICY” in the dry desert of southeastern California or a partially buried car.
“Even though my photos are usually quite simple, I enjoy it when viewers aren’t entirely sure what they’re seeing and are left with questions,” Hann explains to Colossal. “I’m drawn to things that are amusing, unintentionally funny, or puzzling.”
Throughout his career, Hann has predominantly used an analog Mamiya 7 camera, recently incorporating a digital Hasselblad X2D. A key difference is that the Mamiya allows only 10 frames per roll, leading to a more deliberate approach to avoid wasting film. In contrast, digital cameras are limited only by the SD card’s capacity. “I aim to make thoughtful choices while shooting to avoid sorting through excessive images on my computer later,” Hann states. “With both cameras, I use just one fixed lens, and for film, I stick to one type of film stock.”
Despite an initial preference for black-and-white photography, color images have become a vital aspect of Hann’s work. “While working for magazines and record companies, I had to shoot in color. Although I could do it, I found it challenging to make the color photos feel unique or personal,” he notes. “It took years to consistently create compelling color images.” Today, the expressive capabilities of color, manipulated through various levels of saturation and warmth, are central to his work.
Hann is collaborating with The Artist Edition to publish a new book titled Wonder Valley, anticipated to be released later this year. Stay updated by following him on Instagram.
