Photo Poets: Ernest Hatten

Ernest Hatten is a multidisciplinary photographer with professional experience in portrait, wedding and street. He has shown work at Heights Arts.

Curator’s note: Hatten’s work makes fine art out of fractions of time, utilizing a soft drop focus (or shallow depth of field—shout-out to my photo students).

His methods make the image feel like a page from a storybook. His editing is also speaking, creating a focal point with color. You can tell he reviews his work with a careful eye.

Bio: Ernest Hatten is a Cleveland-based photographer working in landscape, street, and event photography. His work focuses on documenting place, people, and atmosphere as they naturally exist. Through a grounded, observational approach, he aims to preserve honest moments that reflect the city and its everyday life.

Aja: How do you interpret the title “Photo Poet?”

Ernest Hatten: A photo poet is like [the TV game show] Jeopardy. The photograph is the answer. You come up with your own questions.

For more information, or to reach Ernest Hatten: www.tkp216.art