_
Aspiring to be a photographer
myself, I really divulged my interests into understanding Soth's points of
views and outlooks on the world through his works. Not only did I gain the
knowledge of his mastering techniques of creating a cinematic feel to his pieces,
but also how to view the world from a single lens and creating a simple yet
complex image. A particular project that I found most enjoyable to look into
was his project titled Paris/Minnesota. It goes without saying that
these are two completely opposing cultures and Soth, without physically
presenting the descriptions, jumps into differentiating between high-fashioned,
upscale Paris to his low-key, standard American hometown in Minnesota. I find
that presenting his human subjects in his photographs to be without emotion
almost gives the viewer on open invitation to come along side the artist and
visualize what they want the photograph to be representing and how it
communicates the meaning. Soth also wasn't afraid to dig deep into getting
images that may make some viewers uncomfortable, but by doing this, not only is
he opening a world of fresh art to naive viewers, but also breaking the barrier
and being allowed into personal lives that majority of the viewers will never
see.
In the midst of my Rebelution and Slighty Stoopid playlists on Pandora, I decided to dig deep into Broken Manual, a project that covered four years (2006-2010) of an underground instruction manual for those looking to escape their lives. Soth investigates the places in which people retreat to escape civilization. By just simply glancing through the project, one never really understands what the objective of the work is, other than simple portraits of random people, still-lives, and scenic views. Once again, Soth allows the viewers into these individuals lives by exposing their “secret get-a-ways”, into his life because he’s sharing with the viewer his view point of another’s view point, and finally he’s allowing the viewer to grasp a more worldly point of view by exposing real world locations that appear to be simple but to others its their magical escape from normal day. I admire his in-depth meanings to projects that could pose a simple understanding and meaning.
I really enjoy reading into other photographers lives, works, hidden talents, and passions because it only deepens my love for photography, gives me a drive to pursuer a career such as theirs, and shows that with the passion, accomplishments like the ones those famous photographers have achieved can one day be set in the near future of goals for myself. Alec Soth’s works and desires to portray certain meaning gave me the realization that even simply pleasures, locations, objects, people, and concepts can change minds and opinions, feelings and out looks on life.
~Jane Raese
In the midst of my Rebelution and Slighty Stoopid playlists on Pandora, I decided to dig deep into Broken Manual, a project that covered four years (2006-2010) of an underground instruction manual for those looking to escape their lives. Soth investigates the places in which people retreat to escape civilization. By just simply glancing through the project, one never really understands what the objective of the work is, other than simple portraits of random people, still-lives, and scenic views. Once again, Soth allows the viewers into these individuals lives by exposing their “secret get-a-ways”, into his life because he’s sharing with the viewer his view point of another’s view point, and finally he’s allowing the viewer to grasp a more worldly point of view by exposing real world locations that appear to be simple but to others its their magical escape from normal day. I admire his in-depth meanings to projects that could pose a simple understanding and meaning.
I really enjoy reading into other photographers lives, works, hidden talents, and passions because it only deepens my love for photography, gives me a drive to pursuer a career such as theirs, and shows that with the passion, accomplishments like the ones those famous photographers have achieved can one day be set in the near future of goals for myself. Alec Soth’s works and desires to portray certain meaning gave me the realization that even simply pleasures, locations, objects, people, and concepts can change minds and opinions, feelings and out looks on life.
~Jane Raese