Vivian Maier, a street photographer who gained acclaim after she passed away, was a master of capturing captivating, candid imagery. Her work left a huge impact on the future of photography.
Maier's work was discovered in Chicago in 2007 at an auction house by a man named John Maloof, which made both Maloof and Maier famous and changed the world as he brought her work to the public eye. If Maloof hadn't been at that local auction house, Vivian Maier wouldn't be a known name today. He is also at the core of a project that has reconstructed most of the archive – so far roughly 90% of her work.
Why did Vivian Maier live such a private life? Maier's family was almost completely out of her life very early on, which affected her mentally; she never married or had children and lived a private, solitary life. When she was four, her mother moved to the Bronx with her after her parents separated, and they later moved to France with photographer Jeanne Bertrand, where Maier spent six years. I feel this played a huge part in moulding who she became.
Maier's impact on street photography. She had a profound impact worldwide because of her ability to capture candid, pure authenticity – and because her work was discovered after she passed away. Her photographs were unique and brilliantly composed, capturing the beauty in the ordinary, and inspired a new generation of photographers focused on raw street photography. Her work is so impactful that major exhibitions celebrate it to this day.
A comparison. Her work stands out next to similar street photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson because of her unique observation skills and eye for composition – a distinctive style that exposes human emotion through everyday scenes. The documentary Finding Vivian Maier, co-directed by Maloof, explores how a nanny with a hidden talent stayed hidden as long as she was alive.
Reflecting in my own work. There's a lot to take from Maier – especially her keen eye. I want to scan everyday scenes and spot candid moments others would miss, capturing not only candid moments in Southampton but also true emotion, telling a strong story with a deep message. I'm going to strive for authenticity just like Vivian, as I've realised just how important it is.
In conclusion, Maier's journey from complete anonymity to fame after death illustrates the power of her work and of photography itself. Including some of her techniques and styles in my own work will help me get my message across.