Why “Good Photos” Don’t Matter – Alec Soth Explains
What makes a photo truly meaningful? In this video, Alec Soth shares why chasing style can be dangerous and why finding your voice matters so much more.
I'm giving away Alec's book Advice for Young Artists. All you need to do is leave a comment under the video. You can write something about Alec's work if you appreciate his photography. The winner will be announced next month in our newsletter.
What makes a photo truly meaningful?
That is actually the topic of the video above, and it made me think. It's not simply about getting technical settings right, copying a trend, or chasing a "look" everyone else is using. What Alec Soth argues is that the meaningful photo begins when the photographer asks "what matters to me?" - when they engage with what they care about, not just how it looks. As he puts it: a monkey can take a good picture, what is hard is taking a picture that has meaning to you.
Meaning is born in the space between the photographer and the world - the messy, unsure space of exploration. Soth reminds us that great work often comes from embracing uncertainty, trying things, and staying open rather than locking into a style too early. In other words, finding your voice matters more than defining a fixed style.
If you begin with the question "Why am I making this?" rather than "How does this look?" then your photos can carry something deeper - an impulse, a value, a connection.
What gives your photos meaning? Let me know under the video.
Read the full interview: https://aboutphotography.blog/blog/advice-for-young-artists-by-alec-soth
Advice for Young Artists - MACK - https://tinyurl.com/5h2kctyb
Learn more about Alec: https://alecsoth.com/photography/
