| Documentary photographer, Francesco Aglieri Rinella, discusses his recent visit with renowned contemporary photographer, Alec Soth. During his road trip across the American Midwest, Francesco made a stop in Minneapolis to meet with Soth and had the unique opportunity to photograph him on his home turf. In this blog, Francesco gives us a glimpse into Soth’s studio and home environments and talks about his experience taking portraits of Alec. |
It’s time to dive into the photographs, stories, and experiences from my recent journey through the American Midwest. I’m Francesco Aglieri Rinella, a documentary photographer from Italy, dedicated to preserving American heritage for future generations. Through my lens, I observe the human presence and its contrast with nature and the world around us. In the coming months, we’ll be unraveling the layers behind each image, revealing the essence of this remarkable journey I embarked on across the Midwest.
A huge shoutout to Gelatin Labs for their impeccable work. They handled both the development and scanning of over 50 rolls of film, all in extra-large dimensions, and delivered the entire body of work in under two weeks! Given the scale and complexity of this project, the turnaround was incredibly fast. Now, let’s talk technical. Over the coming months, we’ll be getting into the nitty-gritty of the editing process. I’ll walk you through the adjustments, from subtle shifts in tone to more dramatic changes, revealing how I approach a project of this magnitude. It’s not just about showcasing the images—it’s about breaking down every shade and detail, giving you insight into the careful curation of this vast body of work.
Diving into all my photographs, I first checked the set I shot of the great master of contemporary photography, Alec Soth.
“A Portrait of Alec Soth” was a moment I had envisioned since the day I first reached out to Alec’s manager to share my photography project in the Midwest. It felt surreal—an opportunity to connect with one of the greats in contemporary photography. I was counting down the days until August 1, 2024, the day I’d finally visit his studio. Ethan greeted me warmly, but to my dismay, Alec wasn’t there. Imagine traveling from Italy, thousands of kilometers, only to miss meeting your idol. It was heartbreaking in that moment.
In his studio, I had the incredible opportunity to explore his extensive archive of negatives, including those massive 8×10 originals from some of his most iconic works, such as Sleeping by the Mississippi and Niagara. Standing before these masterpieces in their raw, tangible form was an unforgettable experience, each frame revealing the intricacies and depth that have defined his career.
But that setback turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I had the rare and intimate opportunity to photograph Alec not just in his studio, but in his own home, surrounded by his items and animals. The setting was raw, authentic—his true habitat. I was over the moon. The gravity of the moment hit me like a wave; I couldn’t believe what was unfolding before my eyes. This experience was beyond what I had ever imagined, a game-changer that truly marked my summer.
I worked with different areas of Alec’s house, using the light to its advantage, allowing me to capture him at his best.
We also played a fun game during the visit. In Alec’s living room, he has a collection of old snapshots lined up side by side. He challenged me to find an original one by William Eggleston. It was tough, but we had a great time, and I was amazed by his collection.
I relied on my trusty, old Mamiya RZ67 paired with the 110mm f/2.8 lens, loaded with Kodak Portra 400. The entire process felt smooth and natural, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the moment. What made the experience even more special was the conversation I shared with Alec. He was genuinely excited, especially since it was his first time being photographed in his own home. We talked extensively, and the atmosphere was relaxed and open, adding a deeper layer of intimacy to the portraits. Capturing him in the place he feels most comfortable gave the images a personal and unique quality.
When the team at Gelatin Labs sent me the scans—EXTRA LARGE TIFF files—I was immediately excited to dive in. As soon as I started working with the files, I was blown away by the level of detail. The color science from the scanner was exceptional, far exceeding my expectations. It allowed for an incredible depth of editing, enabling me to recover intricate details and shadows that brought the images to life in a way I hadn’t experienced before. As I worked through the files, it hit me just how much this elevated the quality of my photography. This new level of precision and detail had taken my work to the next level, giving me the tools to edit these important images at their very best.
Francesco Aglieri Rinella is an accomplished Documentary Photographer based in Italy. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Francesco’s recent work delves into the cultural heritage of the United States, highlighting their rich histories and traditions and aims to provide a form of preservation for future generations. His upcoming project focuses on his journey across the American Midwest.
Alec Soth is a notable photographer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has an extensive portfolio, having published more than thirty books (Sleeping by the Mississippi [2004], NIAGARA [2006], Broken Manual [2010], Songbook [2015], I Know How Furiously Your Heart is Beating [2019], A Pound of Pictures [2022], and his most recent project: Advice for Young Artists [2024]). His work has been showcased in over fifty exhibitions, with major retrospectives held at venues like Jeu de Paume in Paris (2008), Walker Art Center in Minnesota (2010), Media Space in London (2015), and Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (2024).
Recognized for his contributions to photography, Soth received the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2013. In 2008, he founded Little Brown Mushroom, a multi-disciplinary project dedicated to visual storytelling. Soth’s work is represented by prominent galleries including Sean Kelly in New York, Weinstein Hammons Gallery in Minneapolis, Fraenkel Gallery in San Francisco, and Loock Galerie in Berlin, and he is a member of Magnum Photos.
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