If you've followed me recently, you'll know that I've ventured into film photography and that I'm loving it. I haven't really shared how much of a voracious seeker of information I am. I can sometimes border on obsessing over a topic until I feel that I understand it (or occasionally get bored.). I did a quick search on Netflix for anything photography related and found a documentary entitled Finding Vivian Maier....and what I discovered was inspiration.
Vivian Maier was a prolific street photographer who worked as a nanny and whose personal life was a bit mysterious.
John Maloof discovered a box of her negatives in an auction and after looking at them, he set them aside for about two years. When he looked at them again, he googled Vivian and found an obituary posted just days prior. Maloof then began to learn about this woman who is such an enigma. A self described "mystery woman", Vivian claimed to be French but was actually born in New York although she did live in France for a time while growing up. Deeply private, Vivian at times refused to give people her name and even her former employers and charges called her different things from Viv to Vivian to Miss Maier. She consistently spelled her name differently and appears to have maintained no connection with her family.
Through various live in caretaker positions, Vivian was able to spend plenty of time exploring New York and Chicago, all the while having a camera around her neck and snapping some of the most incredible photographs I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. It seems most of her early work was shot with a twin lens Rollei, very similar to my Mamiya c220. Her skillfull portrayal of light and shadow, lines, people, inanimate objects, dark subjects, and newspaper headlines, is nothing short of awe inspiring. But what struck me the most where her self portraits.
Many of these mid century selfies were taken facing reflective surfaces including mirrors, chrome appliances, and what strikes me as perhaps a hubcap on the ground. She also shot several images that show her shadow, a mysterious play on a traditional self portrait.
Watching this documentary inspired me to be more creative, to shoot the unusual. It also sparked a desire to work on selfies in fun, creative ways.
I'd love to show you some of Vivian's work but it is protected under copyright law so, instead I will strongly encourage you to go look at her work at http://www.vivianmaier.com and watch Finding Vivian Maier on Netflix!