The photographs shown are part of my project ‘Deep Soweto’ which I began in 2007.
The project initially started as an assignment for the Molapo Cultural Center in Soweto.
After my son passed away life didn’t make much sense in my own community, part of an individualistic and materialistic society in Western Europe. During my first visit to Soweto in 2007, I felt a strong vibe present, a buzzing spirit celebrating the unique culture, heritage and history of struggle despite of the hardship due to poverty and disease. I was invited to come back and developed a strong desire to get deep inside and connect to these people and discover the essence of their being. The camera was a great excuse. The cycle of life and death is omnipresent in this community and this made me feel alive in return. During my recent visit in august 2009 I got threatened at gunpoint, beaten and stabbed in my back for my camera and it felt as a huge setback. The scars tell my friends and peers a different story then the one I was so passionately propagating. I realize there is good and bad everywhere, there is not one truth, neither do I claim to show it. I simply hope the work will express the energy and pride of the people I photographed.

I would like to find the opportunity to display this project to a wider audience. With the FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010 approaching, it is the right time to find exposure. Parties interested please contact me directly.

Deep Soweto

A few days ago I had a 24 hour layover in Paris. 

First I went to the M.E.P., Maison Europeenne de la Photographie.

There I saw a Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibition named “a vue d’oeil”.

I liked best the decisive instant pictures. The lower quality of the materials used in the era could be seen in the prints. Then I went on to see ‘Etats de grace’ from Gérard Uféras. Really amazing pictures and prints. I suggest you check out his work.

But I truly found myself in photographer’s heaven when I discovered their library. They have over 25,000 photography books and hundreds of films, you don’t need an appointment and you can come in whenever you feel like to read their books. Amazing! So if you are ever in Paris, check out the M.E.P.!

The rest of the day we spent in the Louvre, such a big place. Just crazy how many tourists go straight for the Mona Lisa, really had to think of Martin Parr when I walked in that room.

Personally I went to see the Dutch and Flemish painters, I didn’t like so much the biblical studies but you could see a lot of ‘documentary’ paintings displaying daily life giving a lot of infromation about how people lived back then. Also amazing was to discover how some painters used the light with a much different style, for example Rembrandt was a good example. All in all a wonderful day!

Watch a slideshow on the NY Times website.

What a wonderful opportunity! Today I was able to meet Eva, Alejandro and Dietmar.

We have a great community here, the feeling is enforced when we are able to meet.

Take for example Stefan Rohner, who is giving a workshop in Catania, great things coming up!

More pictures of our meeting, now in the forum…

Best, Edward

2 very interesting short movies about Alec Soth’s portrait style and his large format choice.
Alec Soth: Portraits
Alec Soth: The ground glass