There is always so much to learn from other photographers. Through their experiences and insights, you can always gather valuable information to help you go a long way. For this reason, we are bringing tips from Magnum photographer Alec Soth, one of this generation’s most exciting artists. He has created 30 books, and through his multimedia enterprise, Little Brown Mushroom, he focuses on sharing important visual narratives. He is also the recipient of various fellowships and awards, and through some of his interviews, we share with you some of his guidance that plays a pivotal role in your practice.
Mistakes and Imperfections Should be Embraced
“All these things that you do and see, and all of the mistakes you make, they have a vibrancy to them,” states Alec Soth in an interview with Magnum Photos. And he is correct. Instead of being bogged down by technical or conceptual imperfections, you must focus on the next thing. For instance, he accidentally captured double exposure or a miscalculated focus, which only helped him improve his work. They may, sometimes, enhance the mood or message.
Trust Your Instincts
There are times when you aren’t sure what exactly you are photographing or why. However, sometimes, you must trust your gut because you may miss out on a great photograph if you don’t. Similarly, you need to be quick on your feet. Take the shot and assess later. Otherwise, sometime later, you may regret not making the images.
Let Go
Alec Soth said, “The whole practice of photography requires patience, as well as the ability to let go,” which is the utmost important rule. Just like fishing, one may not get a perfect photograph at every other shoot. As a result, it helps one to focus on the future, then the past, and to be too self-critical. This also means that when you find a perfect image, you don’t compare your other images to it. Simply let the amazing photo be where it was in the past.
It’s Okay if The Images Are Not Technically Perfect
Soth makes images with a film camera, which sometimes leads to out-of-focus images. He thought about moving to digital, but he soon realized that this method leads to images that are too correct. “You are so focused on technical issues that you’re not focusing on engaging with the subject matter, which creates an image that is technically perfect but dead,” he explained. So, sometimes, it’s perfect if your images may have slightly higher exposure but have something to say.
Experimenting and Abandoning
Alec Soth experimented a lot in his initial days as a photographer, something that was very liberating to him then. However, once this phase passed, he soon realized that the images made him “nauseous.” In fact, he even abandoned a project that he had been doing for over six months because the images did not feel right. So, while experimenting for fun is good, if it feels like it is not doing justice to your work, you simply must look at other alternatives.
It’s Okay To Step Back
In his interview with the New York Times, Alec Soth notes that he consciously stepped back from photography and returned to it a year later. During that period, he read, spent time at his farm, and sometimes picked up the camera to capture light. However, he had a different approach when he returned: “When I photograph people, I want to find a new way to engage with them. Where it’s not driving around, snagging people, talking them into stuff they don’t want to do.”
Power Dynamics In Photography
Despite photographing people with consent, Alec realized there are weird power dynamics in his work. It felt almost predatory. So, he decided to take a different approach. “Instead of getting the subject to do something for my project, maybe it’s more about taking what’s there and having an encounter and having it work or not,” he stated. It is also why many photographers today are taking a collaborative method, where their subjects are not passively sitting but actively participating in the series.