Vivian Maier

[Dee]

Vivian Maier

(1926-2009)


Following Lori's discovery of the film "Finding Vivian Maier", a documentary about the life and work of this eccentric street photographer, how about we post our favourite pictures from her massive catalogue? Maier worked for about forty years as a nanny, mostly in Chicago's North Shore, pursuing photography during her spare time.

She took more than 150,000 photographs during her "career", primarily of the people and architecture of New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, although she also traveled and photographed worldwide.

It seems incredible, but during her lifetime, Maier's photographs were unknown and unpublished, and she never developed many of her negatives. How on earth could she resist or put off developing her films, printing her pictures, to see how she has managed to capture those moments? She seemed to be content with just knowing she she's captured the moments... She didn't need to see them again. How very bizarre. The photographs are absolutely brilliant.

[Dee]

[Dee]

[Dee]

A fascinating documentary film about her:

[Dee]

[Lori]

Hey sister from another mother. I'm so glad you posted V. Maier here. I was fascinated to watch the documentary awhile back about her odd life and belated discovered incredible talent. I recommend watching.

This is a comprehensive site dedicated to Ms. Maier with a large gallery of photos.

http://www.vivianmaier.com/about-vivian-maier/

Her portraiture is astounding. The quantity of her work is daunting. Her eye for detail endless.













Back Story (In brief about the documentary)

[Lori]

I was struck by two photographs I randomly put together. Of course these are taken in an identical era, but they could be the same person; first with the bravado of youth and then with the scarring of time and life.

[Dee]

Oh, Mz L, you've just sent a shiver down my spine and conjured a little lump in my throat...

[Dee]

My daughter has just discovered Vivien Maier, and now she made me look at her photos again. We've been sending each other pictures we liked back and forth for the past hour. They're just so brilliant.

[Dee]

[Dee]

[Dee]

Taken from a bus?