Vivian Maier

[bushwick1234]

Why would you want to shoot like Vivian Maier? Shouldn't you look for your own expression instead?

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I'm not necessarily one of them (I seem to prefer the 2.8s) but I suspect for more than a few members, acquiring a Rolleiflex T is an adequate reason in itself...

As a mission statement for the remainder of one's photographic endeavours I'd agree. On the other hand, as a learning experience and exercise the process isn't automatically without merit, is it? God forbid—it might even be fun.

 

[sara]

Is this about the contest? 🙂

I think everyone has their own style obviously but we look up to others for reference and aspirations. Some people here love the work of Vivian maier no doubt. I look up to Peter Lindbergh and aspire to produce photographs like him.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Why would you want to shoot like Vivian Maier? Shouldn't you look for your own expression instead?

I would like to shoot however I can and feel at the moment: like HCB on a good day, like Vivian on a light day, like Picasso on a meh day. Like me on a me day...

Having options you can tap into is always a good thing. 🙂

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I respect her as the best in the world amateur photographer who is superior to 99% of pro photogs. This is why I will repeat following.
If someone thinks what her style is Rollieflex; people close, square, this person doesn't know about her photography. She used different cameras and took many different pictures. From landscapes with Brownie to family albums with small 35mm film camera. She deserved not to be limited only to Rolleiflex square street shots.

 

[Pioneer]

I respect her as the best in the world amateur photographer who is superior to 99% of pro photogs. This is why I will repeat following.
If someone thinks what her style is Rollieflex; people close, square, this person doesn't know about her photography. She used different cameras and took many different pictures. From landscapes with Brownie to family albums with small 35mm film camera. She deserved not to be limited only to Rolleiflex square street shots.

A very good observation Ko. Fe.

To me she was an observer of life and people with a rather unique ability to get it on film.

The camera is totally and completely secondary.

 

[cassel]

When asked what she did for a living, Vivian replied, "I'm sort of a spy."

Whether there are people in her shots or not, I think her style is pretty consistent and thoughtful...defining it precisely is difficult, though. Perhaps her solid feel for composition is the re-occurring strength.😕

 

[bushwick1234]

Is this about the contest? 🙂

Yes, Sara, it is about the contest.

I would never go out to shoot like someone else.

 

[CMur12]

I don't think the intent of the contest is to subvert anyone's personal style and replace it with someone else's. Rather, the challenge is to analyze and understand Vivian Maier's style, to capture something of her spirit, and to demonstrate that understanding by producing similar photos. It would be an exercise of both intellect and feeling.

I would expect the skill set to accomplish this to be similar to a commercial photographer producing an image to the specifications of a client. I see it as a useful exercise and demonstration of insight and skill.

- Murray

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

A very good observation Ko. Fe.

To me she was an observer of life and people with a rather unique ability to get it on film.

The camera is totally and completely secondary.

Exactly,

I don't think the intent of the contest is to subvert anyone's personal style and replace it with someone else's. Rather, the challenge is to analyze and understand Vivian Maier's style, to capture something of her spirit, and to demonstrate that understanding by producing similar photos. It would be an exercise of both intellect and feeling.

Yes, and as far as I can say, she was able to produce true documentary photography, basically always showing the huge gap within (US American) society — in other words, how harsh the reality of poverty in the USA is —, but she did it without being a «social pornographer».

 

[pakeha]

Yes, Sara, it is about the contest.

I would never go out to shoot like someone else.

cool, then do not enter🙄
I missed the rule that stipulated 'it must be all about you'

 

[johnnyrod]

To be honest, I'm not much of a street photographer, but I'm finding it hard to define what would be the style of Maier. She seems to have shot pretty much everything and in many different ways. Maybe I'm being thick.

 

[02Pilot]

I think of it simply as an exercise. It forces one to attempt to deconstruct someone else's work, then see if it can be replicated effectively. Far from a replacement for one's own creativity, it is a means by which one may discover otherwise unconsidered approaches and techniques, which may then be applied (or not) to one's own work. Essentially, I would argue it's just an extension of looking at other people's photographs.

 

[jsrockit]

Why would you want to shoot like Vivian Maier? Shouldn't you look for your own expression instead?

Generally yes, but what is wrong with a light-hearted contest? Relax a little.

 

[Baby of Macon]

Bushwick - as you are an excellent observer of life on the street, I think you have a head start in this - and no need to don another suit!

I've thought about whether I will submit work because I share the reservation about actively trying to mimic another photographer.

On the other hand, it can be viewed as an interesting technical exercise - or perhaps some method acting....

 

[dotur]

Kaniel, I've submitted few photos, not explicitly trying to mimic Maier.
That Rolleiflex looks nice.
On the other hand, I already do own a grey T (more similar to Vivian's camera), so I might as well reconsider my participation... 😛

 

[pepeguitarra]

To shoot like Maier you need to really understand her style!

To shoot like Maier you need to really understand her style!

To shoot like Maier, you need to understand her style, and even more, you have to understand your own style. If you are not clear on that, how can you do it? How can you differentiate? I see this contest as an homage to her, not as a way to copy her style (I don't even know how or what is that). People should shoot and will shoot the way the do it.

I do not have enough information to determine who she was, what was her purpose. All I have is a book of some shots she took. Interesting, but not as clear marked at Garry Winogrand. Winogrant was a professor of art (not photojournalism) and after reading about him and seeing his photos, you can grasp his style. His students and friends described him, his classes. But, Vivian Maier has not been described as much.

The reason Vincent VanGogh became instantly famous was because the was also the best letter writer of the world. He wrote more than 500 letters, all to his brother Theo. Someone put the "best" 100 in a book "Lust for Life". That was enough for people to know him. He described every piece he painted in his 500+ letters. I have them and I have read them. Crazy.
BTW, Vivian only smile in one of the selfies she took of herself in the V.M book.

 

[CameraQuest]

Why would you want to shoot like Vivian Maier? Shouldn't you look for your own expression instead?

Why? Some call it expanding photographic vision or even expanding your imagination.

Seeing in a new way is generally a good thing for photographers.

Maybe you can learn something by attempting to shoot in the style of one of the best street photographers.

Stephen

 

[lukitas]

Excellent question!

Trying ones hand at approaching the style of a master can be good exercise, but I would never submit to a contest that stipulates work in the style of ...

Then again I feel rather diffident about contests for art in general. Art does not fit into the paradigm of 1st, 2nd and 3rd, like the 400 meter hurdles do. Too many times, contests are just ways to acquire content on the cheap.

And however much I like and admire Vivian M's work, I will not try to shoot photos in her style. Having a hard enough time trying to find out what my own style is.

Thank you for allowing me to rain on this parade.

 

[tbhv55]

Art does not fit into the paradigm of 1st, 2nd and 3rd, like the 400 meter hurdles do. Too many times, contests are just ways to acquire content on the cheap.

Well said!