Book Review: A Pound of Pictures: Alec Soth
© Alec Sloth
Written By: Aaron Norton
Edited By: Hillary Mitchell
In one sense, photography is meant to tell a story. Regardless of whether a photographer captures a candid shot or a perfectly staged portrait, the image created presents a story to an audience. In Alec Soth’s highly anticipated monolith, “A Pound of Pictures”, Soth uses photography to convey the stories behind a collection of images in a beautiful and unconventional way.
© Alec Sloth
As a Minneapolis-based photographer, Alec Soth is known for documenting the midwest in a raw manner, and in this direct way of documenting his subjects, Soth reveals the story behind his work. After looking through “A Pound of Pictures'', I found that his photographs almost present themselves in an ethereal and pure way; Soth’s patience and immense skill makes for an excellent read from start to finish.
© Alec Sloth
In “A Pound of Pictures”, Alec Soth doesn’t follow the typical linear structure that many storytellers or photographers follow. Although some images are captured in similar places and venues, each piece has a way of being completely different at the same time. Along with his photographs, Soth uses quotes and excerpts from fellow artists and writers, such as American poet and essayist, Walt Whitman, and art critic and novelist, John Berger. These quotes tie in with Soth’s work, but they also add a nuanced tone, as if we are meant to ponder what the true meaning behind the work really is. Or maybe they are simply meant to be enjoyed, and this may be the reason why his work is so interesting.
© Alec Sloth
In comparison to the raw nature of each image, Soth introduces a touching and personal side within his written section. In this section, the picture is no longer the focus itself. Soth turns to his readers, as if to ask us what each image might actually “weigh” or amount to in society. To Alec Soth, pictures are far more than a shot taken from behind the camera. They are a means to connection, and we find our connection through the perfectly captured images in Soth’s “A Pound of Pictures”.
© Alec Sloth
Alec Soth is an American photographer from Minneapolis, MN. Along with “A Pound of Pictures”, Soth has published a number of photography books including “Sleeping by the Mississippi '', “From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America '' and “I Know How Furiously Your Heart Is Beating”. “A Pound of Pictures” is currently available to order on MACK’s website as of January 2022.
