I recently bought Alec Soth’s course on the Magnum Photos website and have been working my way through it. The 19 lessons of uneven length amount to more than five hours of… well, not teaching exactly, but an extended monologue by Soth on his artistic process. It’s less a lecture and more like listening to one side of a conversation. And it works, in this case.
I’ve found it really useful to listen to Soth’s low-key reflections on a wide range of topics related to the creation of his photo projects. Some of these are very well known, like Sleeping by the Mississippi and Niagara, for example, while others have never made it to print. Whatever the case, there is a clear sense of the mind of the photographer at work as he moves from broad concept, to picture-making, to editing his images, to creating a maquette of a book or exhibition, to final product.
I’ve been struck by a number of things along the way:
The importance of beginning somewhere, no matter how random it seems. The project can always be refined, but it might begin with something as simple as an observation, a chance comment, a dream or a dart thrown at a map.
How desirable it is to have a product in mind, rather than just a collection of images.
How useful small working prints are in helping with the culling and sequencing process. I was impressed by how practical this technique is.
The need to protect the idea and early stages of a project before showing it to others for input or critique.
How important it is to take the final form and appearance into account. An exhibition? What scale and variety of prints? A book? What kind of cover and typeface? What thickness of paper? All of it together is the final work and, while Soth seems a very laid-back individual on camera, he shows a lot of attention to detail in getting exactly the finish and effect he is after.
The role of curiosity and serendipity in driving a project forward.
The need to let things take their time. Somehow it seems possible to advance a project while not rushing it.
I was wondering if I had made a mistake in buying this series (US$80 on sale) but I found that it grew on me, much the way one of Soth’s projects grows on him. The low-fi blues and roots music also lend a mood to the videos, helping to tie them together and giving the whole thing a contemplative feel. I almost want to say that the music is like a lazy summer day, but that would be an injustice both to the series and to the way Soth works. There is a lot going on under the surface of the river, although it may not all be obvious at first. You have to sit and watch for awhile.
References
Alec Soth: Photographic Storytelling | Magnum Learn (s.d.) At: https://www.magnumphotos.com/learn/course/alec-soth-photographic-storytelling/ (Accessed 19/10/2020).
Soth, A. et al. (2017) Sleeping by the Mississippi. London: Mack.
Soth, A. et al. (2018) Niagara. (s.l.): (s.n.).