Read/Blog 6

1st part of reading

1. Soth’s new project “Broken Manual” describe’s the reason of the name “Broken Manuel from the fact that Soth can not escape the outside pressures of life and the project began with a book project that he had worked on with artist Lester B. Morrison. 

2. Lester B. Morrison is an artist who worked on a book project with Alec Soth and it was a manual on how to disappear. Morrison’s work is featured in the Soap Factory exhibition, A Theory of Values. 

3. Soth’s feelings about the process and finished “master piece” is that he does not care for the finished work but the idea of the process instead. He holds no interest in the master piece or the icon. 

4. When Soth describes about a photographer finding their own voice what he means is that everyone’s path is different and not everyone will journey on the same path. He gives an example about the difference between two saxophone players and the difference will be the voice of the two. 

5. In Soth’s words, photography is the most anti-Zen activity that contributes to stopping time, possessing things, and holding on to the things you possess. he also mentions how being possessive can be unhealthy. 

6. Ennui is an emotional term of dissatisfaction from a lack of excitement. 

7. Soth explains how photographs can not tell stories because their fragmentary moments of time and so you can’t really get an arc of a story. He explains that photography is not a true full story if you were to tell someone a story because their truly is not a beginning, middle, and end. The arc of the story is not truly the whole story being told. 

8. Soth’s thoughts on Robert Frank’s work and the American’s is that he did not grow to admire his work until later compared to other people who admired his work instantly. It was not a transformational thing for Soth as it was for everyone else. he also talks about how he is closer to Joel Sternfeld’s work and how is work is more admirable. 

2nd part of reading 

1. The Treasure Hunt, From Here to There, 3rd From Here to There Flicker assignment, From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America. Treasure Hunt was about photographing from a number of categories such as tall people, sleeping children, neighborhood bars and more. From Here to There he wanted participants to tell a short story following the steps of finding a stranger to photograph, ask the strangers to show you something, and then take a picture of that stranger with what they showed you. For his 3rd assignment gives a question to participants asking them “why are amateur photographers so damn good?”  The 4th assignment is revealing participants process in photography and to narrate the photographers encounters. 

2. Soth’s beliefs in these assignments are to explore other people’s photography and to enjoy other interests besides your own. It’s ideal to open your mind to great possibilities and possible changes.

 Assignement 1

This photograph of a child resting in a trampoline is very interesting. The glare of light casting down on her and the rainbow colored lighting from the sun just above her head as though you can see her dreams.

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/35563765@N07/5115493030/
Assignment 2

The perspective in this photograph demonstrates a realistic view of a journey going across the viewpoint. I found this image interesting because it's as though the tress from both the left and right hand side are guiding you towards that trail.

Assignment 3

I found this photograph inspiring because it's as though the photographs were taken in the day and night time and put together. They complete each other side by side and the lighting is quite amazing. 

Assignment 4

The woman walking away from the camera holding two umbrellas, one in hand and the other opening up. I liked the small message under the photographing saying how this woman twas trying to avoid getting her picture taken. Her pink and burgundy outfit are the brightest color along with the blue building just ahead of her.