eugene_scherba Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 As some of you probably know, <a href="http://www.alecsoth.com/">Alec Soth</a> is a new star in the contemporary documentary photography, and he is apparently a very accessible person as well (though he seems to have abandoned <a href="http://alecsoth.com/blog/">his popular blog</a> a while ago). The City Pages today has <a href="http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2008/01/reporters_notebok_alec_soth.php#more">posted a feature</a> on him with extra material (photos, videos, links). The videos are well worth watching since they show how Mr. Soth works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I saw Alec Soth give a slide presentation at Rhode Island School of Design a few years ago on his <I>Sleeping by The Mississippi</I> work. He was very candid and humble about his work and his process. <P> Thanks for the link, I read through it but it looks like there are a few more embedded links to check out as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_sidlo Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thanks for the links Eugene. I found his discussions of portrait and assignments and camera very interesting. WRT the camera, it reminded me of "Avedon At Work in the American West" by Laura Wilson. That book, and a video featuring Avedon on PBS, brought out similar issues - the camera is so large and imposing, and the setup so lengthy that the subject starts to retreat into their own reverie. Somewhat akin to the retreat I witness on the trolly as I observe and photograph people traveling there. His interactions with the subjects, lengthy, sometimes distanced, but watchful and unnoticed under the hood, also resonated. Reflecting on that process of setting up a shot with 75-100 lbs of gear, arranging the scene and subject, over many minutes, definitely introduces another dynamic. I also do photo assignements on a very modest basis - Covers for a local advertiser magazine, but often find them also an interesting experience - different from the Street Photography I do most - directed and focussed, but full of enough surprises that thinking fast on your feet is required. I also find some of the instincts of watching faces on the street to be helpful at this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 One of our most illustrious local Worcester photographers and an all around good guy... http://alecsoth.com/blog/2006/11/06/stephen-dirado/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Excellent Robert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 A bit OT: Here is another Worcester area large format photographer, not street but damn good! :-) http://www.ronrosenstock.com/new_gallery1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Ron Rosenstock Home page... http://www.ronrosenstock.com/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Eugene -- thanks. Worth watching. Some of his comments on portraiture suggest a process more cerebral than I realized. And I do like the photos Soth makes. (Haven't seen everything yet, as the buffer was slowing things down and causing hiccups in the video.) All those photographers near you, Bob J -- must be something in the water ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Here is on last Worcester guy, Noll llumna. He has shot in the same areas of Worcester that I once did. Edgy stuff. Some folks here are are familiar with his work. http://www.nolllluma.com/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 one last... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 re: Noll Llumna - gotta a photographer that lives on the streets. Looks like he's completely comfortable pointing has camera at anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 BTW Robert, what does he shoot with? It looks fairly wide, maybe 28mm, but has an unusual crop (4/3?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 SP, I'm not sure what Noll shoots with. I revisited his work myself and he is fearless. A very interesting street forum run by Johnbrownlow. http://www.johnbrownlow.com/streetphoto/index.php I think that Noll hangs out there with John Sidlo! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 John Brownlow that is, well known in the street photography world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Eugene, I apologise for the direction that I took this thread in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugene_scherba Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 No problem, Robert. Regarding the John Brownlow forum, I had high hopes for it at one time, but they have never materialized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_m_johnson Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Gallery HD has been running a show called Artland that has featured Alec Soth. It did show him in action but the whole situation was so forced that the photo he took did not seem to live up to his full potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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