November 2021

In the photobook American Geography, Matt Black has documented his travels through the US in pictures.

The books in divided into four parts: South and West, South and East, North and East, North and West. Matt Black’s photographs in gritty black and white shows us the people and the urban and rural landscapes that he encountered during his travels. Rough pictures of rough lives.

The photographs are interspersed with images of things he noticed during his trips: utensils, squashed cigarette packages, a playing card, a lottery ticket and many signs of tramps asking for help and money.

“ANYTHING HELPS”

Every part of the book is preceded with a selection of notes from the diary he kept during his trip. These form mini stories themselves, poems almost. Even the atmosphere of the notes is somewhat grim. Combined with the short stories and the pictures of the begging signs, the books leaves an impression of a country that neglects his bottom of society.

One of the most beautiful photobooks I have seen this year.