Visions of America: Photographing Democracy

by Joseph Sohm

Visions of America addresses a single How do you photograph democracy? After all, democracy is an idea; and not something one can easily wrap one's lens around. But photographing democracy is indeed what Joseph Sohm has done in this epic journey across the fifty states. To capture this country's incredible diversity, Sohm frames his national work as George Seurat might a pointillist painting. With each photograph, an individual dot was applied to his American canvas. Spanning three decades, tens of thousands of images were assembled in what becomes a compelling mosaic. With a foreword by legendary travel writer, Paul Theroux, and lyrics by two of America's most distinguished songwriters, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Visions of America is a work of historic value and significance. Visions of America is a perceptive work about both the photographer and the photographed. Reflecting on the wisdom of the founders, coupled with personal observations about American history, Sohm takes us on an insightful journey down the back roads and byways of the U.S, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of who we are as a nation and a people. Visions of America is a sweeping portrait of life in the American democracy, a portrait that shows us US, the United States. Edited by Rick Benzel and Patricia Emory.

301 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 2009

Reviews

[Serena]

Visions of America by Joseph Sohm is more than a collection of photos about democracy, it is one man's journey across America to find democracy and reconnect with his nation. Amidst the photographs Sohm intersperses our nation's history and the emergence of our very own icons--the bald eagle, Mount Rushmore, the American flag, and more.

And one point in this "travel" journal, Sohm says, "Maybe the point in photographing icons of democracy is more about seeking perfection than finding it." (Page 7). Not only are the photos gorgeous, the essays are poignant and informative about his journey and our nation's history.

Visions of America is a coffee table book for guests to peruse while dinner is cooking, for friends, family, and neighbors to ogle and discuss. This book compiles some of the most breathtaking images of our nation's countryside, our icons, and our people from all walks of life.

Each page is laid out in a variety of ways from large images with superimposed images of birds and famous quotes from former presidents and others. One of my favorite tidbits from the book is when Sohm talks about how he got out his trusty Mr. Clean and paper towels to wash down the New Hampshire welcome sign for its photo shoot.

There are a series of panoramic photos throughout the books from the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., to landscapes in Utah, Alaska, and California. Countrysides, cityscapes, everyday men and women, and communities pepper this volume and celebrate democracy in a variety of ways.

Readers eager for a break from traditional reading pursuits should consider picking up this beautiful volume of our American heritage. There are only two possible drawbacks to this book--the cost of $75 and the heft of the book itself. You won't be carrying this one around on the subway. Photographers--amateur and professional--will want to add Visions of America to their collections. However, Sohm has a great eye for what makes this country great and his photography and essays are a testament to our nation's grandeur.

[Alyce]

Visions of America is large and beautiful coffee table photography book. There was much oohing and ahhing over the photos as I pulled it out of the box that first day.

Visions of America is split into thirteen chapters, each addressing a different facet of democracy including: American icons, racial diversity, the fifty states, cityscapes, and rural America (among others).

What I liked about Visions of America is that you can pick it up and flip through the photos, enjoying them for their own beauty, or you can delve deeper into the text to discover more about the photos and the history behind them.


The photographs are stunning, and the author's passion for his work clearly shows through in his photography. I especially liked that there were chapters dealing with the racial diversity of our country. Both Native Americans and African Americans each have their own chapter, and there is a separate section dealing with racial diversity throughout America.

The chapter I liked the best was called "Amer-icons," and it contains many photos of sites around Washington, D.C. - one of my favorite vacation spots. It was fun to browse through the pages of national monuments and see how many I had visited.


My husband had a fun time looking through the chapter with cityscapes, and the chapter with photos of the fifty states. He has traveled a lot and was quick to point out all of the states and cities he had visited. In the states chapter each state is represented by photos of the capital building, state flag, state welcome sign, and vanity plates from that state.

Visions of America is a lovely coffee table book filled with photos of America. I highly recommend it.

[Nancy]

Visions of America: Photographing Demoracy by Joseph Sohm was simply a joy to go through. It is not a small book, nor is it inexpensive; but I feel that if you take the time to sit down with it and read it (not just look at the pictures which, are in themselves, are a treat) you will find yourself over the past 30 years in many of them.

America is troubled right now. We each have our own issues to cope with; but the underlying trust that the original colonies and their people found on these shores is portrayed here in living color and in words of black and white. "Visions..." is not just a book, it is the author's journey back and forth across America looking for an entire country's version of what democracy is. And he has found it. Simple as that.

Do go out and treat yourself to this book. I know you will be glad you did and so will your family