RFF Vivian Maier Photo Contest

[sevo]

so what's her style?

Somewhere between a 1930's vision of sportiness and a nurse's uniform. And a hat... 🙂

 

[Keith]

I gather the winner will be getting a Cosina lens or possibly a Voigtlander RF camera?

 

[rodt16s]

To be true to the VM spirit, we shoot the photos today and the competition take place in 2030

 

[ForestCap]

Photoshop allowed?

 

[giulio stucchi]

Sounds like a good idea Stephen.
The only comment I have is about using old pics.
To me it would be more inspiring and challenging to go out and take picture specifically for this contest instead of digging into my archive and look for pics that could fit in it.
It will make the participation on the contest "active".
I will do my best to join the contest.
Best.
Giulio

 

[stephen.w]

OK Folks,

All entries B/W.

I am open to suggestions for other rules or improvements.

She also did some groundbreaking colour work: http://www.vivianmaier.com/gallery/color-1/

 

[JoeV]

Does this mean to gain an advantage in the contest the photographer has to dress up in mid-20th century nanny's clothes and photograph him/herself in storefront windows?

~Joe

 

[Hogarth Ferguson]

I like this idea, seems to me pretty obvious what her style is, but I guess I'm in the minority here.

 

[Greyscale]

Does this mean to gain an advantage in the contest the photographer has to dress up in mid-20th century nanny's clothes and photograph him/herself in storefront windows?

~Joe

Public bathrooms will be acceptable, too.


Rolleiflex 3.5f Planar, Kodak T-Max 400 by Mike Novak, on Flickr

 

[css9450]

Smartphone photos acceptable?

 

[Timmyjoe]

She also did some groundbreaking colour work: http://www.vivianmaier.com/gallery/color-1/

I really like her color work. But funny thing is, I'm not sure I like her work because it is good photography, I think one of the reasons I like it is that it is a time capsule of when I was growing up. There is so much nostalgia in every image of hers, so much flooding of memories, I wonder if that is not what I am more attracted to, as opposed to it being really good photography, like something from Avedon, Bresson, etc.

 

[CameraQuest]

Smartphone photos acceptable?

no. Vivian was a gearhead.
I have the feeling that smartphones would have been too dumb for her.

 

[charjohncarter]

Tomorrow, I'm planing to get to the Gallery in Toronto, were they have fresh prints from Maier's negatives...

Maier started with Brownie, switched to TLR and for another two decades to Leica and such. She also used movie cameras.

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

Personally, to me Maier style is not in square, but with picture were person on the street is taken close or very close and person on the picture isn't moving a lot. And because it is TLR pictures which are most known, the lens level is low.

Maybe I'll enter one from my Brownie Hawkeye Flash. Thanks, I have now made my choice.

EDIT: thanks Stephan for this fun event. I'm not sure I'll win but I'll try.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Interesting thread to read. I agree with bartender about Vivian style.
I just don't think from what I see how high end is directly related to digital; but convenience is.

 

[Pablito]

no. Vivian was a gearhead.
I have the feeling that smartphones would have been too dumb for her.

Oh, I disagree with that. I think she would have loved the smartphone, but only as a camera. Not as a phone ! 🙂

 

[back alley]

so...is this a thing or not?
seems mostly to be a discussion about what the rules will be?!
heaven forbid rff tries something creative and not obsess about the rules.

seems straightforward to me...
look at her images...
decide what she was all about and how she did what she did...
try it out for yourself...
rinse & repeat!

 

[fixed point]

I won't enter this in the contest, but for fun here is a shot I took in Chicago years ago. I was looking through her photos one day and something looked familiar.

Untitled, on Flickr

Dark alley original 1950s - Vivian Maier by johnmaloof, on Flickr

 

[DanskDynamit]

ok my best shot alla Maier from today's visit to the exhibition in Barcelona:

😛

 

[Talus]

Nice one fixed point ! Looks just like the original. Amazing to compare and contrast.

 

[John Bragg]

I won't enter this in the contest, but for fun here is a shot I took in Chicago years ago. I was looking through her photos one day and something looked familiar.

Untitled, on Flickr

Dark alley original 1950s - Vivian Maier by johnmaloof, on Flickr

I prefer yours. The reflection in the puddle adds something great.