Sofa Sessions: Conversations with Martin Parr - Alec Soth

Summary

In this interview, renowned photographer Alec Soth reflects on his journey from a quiet and introverted child in Minnesota to becoming a celebrated artist. He discusses his early experiences with photography, the evolution of his work from large format color to black and white, and his transition into editorial photography. Soth also shares insights into his process for his latest project, which focuses on building meaningful connections with his subjects before capturing their portraits. He touches on the ethical considerations of photography, particularly regarding the distribution and commercialization of his work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Alec Soth was a quiet and polite child with no interest in travel, preferring to stay at home.
• 🎨 Soth discovered photography in college, initially through painting and then through creating outdoor sculptures and earthworks.
• 📸 His first photography inspiration was Robert Adams, which led him to explore photography seriously.
• 🏫 Soth had difficulty getting into a photography class in college but eventually studied under Joel Sternfeld, who became a significant supporter of his work.
• 🏆 Soth's work gained recognition after winning a prize and being included in the Whitney Biennial, which led to a shift in his career path.
• 📚 His book 'Sleeping by the Mississippi' started as a personal project and evolved into a published work after winning a prize and gaining interest from publishers.
• 🌏 Joining Magnum Photos was not initially on Soth's radar, but after being introduced to the community, he applied and was accepted, which broadened his photographic experiences.
• 🖤 Soth transitioned from color to black and white photography for his 'Songbook' project, aiming for a journalistic and social commentary style.
• 🤝 For his latest portraits, Soth focused on building relationships and spending time with his subjects, aiming for a more collaborative and less predatory approach.
• 🖼️ Soth is mindful of the ethics of photography, particularly in the distribution of his work, and ensures that his subjects receive a copy of their portrait.

Q & A

What was Alec Soth's childhood like?

Alec Soth was a very quiet, polite, and homebody child. He didn't sneak out of the house, didn't drink, and had no real interest in travel.

How did Alec Soth discover photography?

Alec Soth discovered photography in college through an art teacher who introduced him to painting, which led him to start doing sculptures outdoors and earthworks, and subsequently photographing them.

Who were some of the early influences on Alec Soth's photography?

Robert Adams was an early influence on Alec Soth, particularly with Adams' work 'Summer Nights'.

Did Alec Soth study photography in college?

Alec Soth initially couldn't get into a photography class in college, but he took a summer course with Jim Hinkle and later got into Joel Sternfeld's class.

What was Joel Sternfeld's initial reaction to Alec Soth's work?

Joel Sternfeld was immediately a big supporter of Alec Soth's work and tried to get him into a show at MoMA with his early studio work.

How did the 'Sleeping by the Mississippi' project emerge?

The 'Sleeping by the Mississippi' project emerged after Alec Soth was working on a different project that involved photographing one picture leading to another. He made a picture along the Mississippi River and decided to shift his focus to that.

How long did it take Alec Soth to complete the 'Sleeping by the Mississippi' project?

Alec Soth worked on the 'Sleeping by the Mississippi' project for about three years.

What was the significance of the book dummy Alec Soth made for 'Sleeping by the Mississippi'?

Alec Soth made a book dummy of 'Sleeping by the Mississippi' before he knew it would be published. He made 25 copies of it, which he gave to different reviewers and eventually led to its publication.

How did Alec Soth's life change after the success of 'Sleeping by the Mississippi'?

After the success of 'Sleeping by the Mississippi', Alec Soth's life changed dramatically. He was included in the Whitney Biennial, received many calls, and had to leave his job at an art museum to focus on his photography.

What led Alec Soth to join Magnum Photos?

Alec Soth was not initially interested in joining Magnum Photos, but after meeting Nathan Bend and looking into the community, he applied and was accepted after a close vote.

What was Alec Soth's approach to portraiture in his latest work?

In his latest work, Alec Soth wanted to build a relationship with his subjects before taking their portraits. He would spend time with them, have conversations, and ensure they were aware of how the picture might be used.

How does Alec Soth address the ethical concerns in photography?

Alec Soth believes that the biggest ethical problems in photography come not from taking the picture but from its distribution. He ensures that he gives a copy of the portrait to the subject and is mindful of how the image is used and sold.