This is the first post in a series I plan on doing where I highlight some of my favorite photographers. I picked an obvious choice among women photographers today, so obvious, in fact, that I almost didn’t choose her. Vivian Maier was a street photographer who’s work wasn’t discovered until after she died. It appears as though she took photos daily as the person who discovered her work bought thousands upon thousands of images that had never been developed. She has been so popular over the past few years, they published a couple of books and made a documentary about her. So many of you already know about her, so I was hesitant to choose her. I ultimately decided to go ahead because of her influence on me as a photographer and artist.
From a technical standpoint, I love the way Vivian Maier uses reflections, layering, and sophisticated composition in her images. There is always so much to see and as you spend time, moving around the frame, you discover new layers of characters and emotions. Vivian’s work is very strong technically, especially the work that has been published. From an emotional standpoint, Vivian had a way of seeing into a scene in such a penetrating way. Many of her images feel very intimate and when you watch the documentary, you can see why. She wasn’t afraid to push through to where she didn’t belong. For me, I’m not sure I would have been as brave, and that lack of fear is seen in her work.
a self portrait of Vivian Maier – vivianmaier.com
More than just her work, Vivian has made a huge impact on my life as a person. Not much is known about her and some of what is, doesn’t seem that great. She was a loner, quiet, and had odd interactions with people. In my opinion, part of her personality may be why she was able to intrude on the lives of others in her work in the way she did. What fascinates me about her is the fact that she never attempted to get her work seen. I don’t know the motivation why, whether it was lack of knowledge on how, lack of motivation, or if she never fully cared to. In a world where we want to monetize every single thing, it’s fascinating to me that she never did anything like that.
It came at a time in my artistic life where I was evaluating why I took pictures. I was seriously evaluating my motivation behind photographer. Was I desperately trying to be seen? Was I trying to be a successful artist? Would I even take pictures if no one could see them? Her documentary inspired me at a time where I needed a push. She created daily and yet, no one knew. Would Vivian have had an instagram account if she was here now? Would I create art if I didn’t have an instagram account?
Though I wrestled with the question for some time, I ultimately decided that I would. And I do. But I have to reconsider this concept every so often when I get wrapped up in that need for external validation from others.
all of these are from her website www.vivianmaier.com
These are some of my own images influenced by her
Lastly, she inspires me to be seen. She inspires me to get in the frame, to allow myself to be a subject instead of always being an observer.
If you’d like to learn more about her, here are some links:
