Set in the Street

Tableau Photography Project Making Use of Dumped Furniture and Public Spaces ‘I didn’t want to pay for studio space and I realized that I could just build sets on the sidewalk instead,’ New York photographer Justin Bettman told us. ‘Then I realized, I should just use furniture I found instead of paying to rent it.’ Thus began #SetintheStreet, an ongoing tableau photography project that sees Justin building elaborate sets out of unwanted materials and furniture, most of which have been found in the streets. He then leaves the set in the street for passersby to shoot their own photos and share on Instagram, using the hashtag #SetintheStreet. We asked Justin more about this work: The Plus: How long does it take you to design each set? Justin Bettman: The process is different on every set. Usually I try to go in with a rough idea of what I’m trying to build but the materials I find really indicate what the set will look like. Each set can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months to collect the materials. And the building process on the morning of the shoot usually takes about 2-3 hours. TP: It is quite a participatory project, why did you want to get other people involved in it? JB: It happened naturally. As the first set was being built, people kept asking questions and trying to take pictures in the set. So rather than fighting it, I embraced it. TP: What have people’s reactions to the sets been like? JB: The reactions have been really positive. It’s amazing to see how creative people get when you give them the canvas to do so. TP: What are you working on now/next? JB: I am working on expanding the project overseas. Also, I shot a short film in one of the sets for Tribeca Film Festival so that will some out shortly.