Vivian Maier

[abdoujaparov]

If you haven't seen it, the BBC/Alan Yentob documentary on Vivian Maier is on iPlayer for another 6 days

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...-2013-1-vivian-maier-who-took-nannys-pictures

On the surface, the idea that one of the great street photographers was entirely unknown during her lifetime is an attractive story, but in reality it all seems a bit sad, both her life and especially the way her photos have been scattered into the wind by a cast of not-entirely-likeable collectors and trophy hunters. The photos are breathtaking, though. One day I'd like to take one single photo as good as hers.

 

[RaglanSurf]

I went to see Finding Vivian Maier, the John Maloof documentary at the cinema the other day. It's an interesting watch and like many others I'm really drawn to her work, I'd be interested to hear from anyone else that has seen it, I think it deserves an evenings discussion with the aid of some beer.

 

[Andysnap]

There is no doubt that she was an extremely talented photographer with a brilliant eye for a shot but her life did seem to be a bit sad... Although that may be the twist put on it by the film/documentary makers or publishers. It may be that she had a very fulfilling job as a nanny, which she really enjoyed and thought of photography as merely a hobby to fill in her spare time. Without actually knowing her its difficult to judge.
I'm a bit of a philistine when it comes to street photography, I do like a bit of it but too much and I'm just like meh! another shot of someone I don't know....

Andy

 

[steveo_mcg]

I'm a bit of a philistine when it comes to street photography, I do like a bit of it but too much and I'm just like meh! another shot of someone I don't know....

Andy

I get like that too, after a few street shots I'm usually bored.

 

[boliston]

I think the trouble is that 99% of "street" is just simply random shots of beggars, buskers, people on phones, people reading a paper, and then usually converted to black and white to make it look "authentic street" - there is some very good street photography about, it's just finding it when the "noise to signal" ratio is very high.

 

[AshleyC]

The whole Vivian Maier thing is so annoying for me. I like her work and have a couple of the books but the whole "mythical" status that seems to be growing around here is frustrating. Take this part of the Amazon description for her..

"Finding Vivian Maier is the critically acclaimed documentary about a mysterious nanny, who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that were hidden in storage lockers"

1. She wasnt mysterious. Just a regular member of the public
2. She didnt secretly take anything. As a lot of her portrait shots show the subject was well aware she was taking their pictures
3. Hidden in storage lockers. well it was her private posessions kept in lockers since she couldnt house it all in her home.

And anyone who takes 100k+ images is bound to have a couple of books worth of great ones. Who are these vultures who picked over her stuff , while she was still alive living in poverty, who are they to say whats good about it all. A photographer on the BBC doc the other night made this point. Theyre just people who buy up other peoples storage lockers, sight unseen, living off other peoples misery, who got lucky, found a stash and are milking it for everything they can.

As for her work, some of it is great, some of it just daily snapshots from a private person. Much like todays bland street photogrpahy but only of interest for its historical perspective of America.

 

[steveo_mcg]

I think the trouble is that 99% of "street" is just simply random shots of beggars, buskers, people on phones, people reading a paper, and then usually converted to black and white to make it look "authentic street" - there is some very good street photography about, it's just finding it when the "noise to signal" ratio is very high.

I think that's it, the noise is very high. Although I suppose in the modern age the same is true for all genres maybe I've a higher tolerance for generic landscapes or portraiture than I do for street.

 

[robhooley167]

I'd have liked to have seen the photos that she would have chosen rather than the ones the producers chose and edited.

I can only handle street photography in very small doses, I guess I've been disillusioned by the guff on Flickr and the like.

 

[srichards]

I watched it when it was on before I think. Might watch it again. I do find old photos fascinating but current street photography is generally as dull as ditch water.