This week’s Monday Master is Vivan Maier, and was picked by Jeremie Gisserot. Perhaps it’s surprising that it’s taken this long for Vivian to be picked considering she has been a huge influence on the modern burst in street photography. Vivian Maier is a great choice for MondayMasters and if you’d like to join in. Share a picture of Vivian’s (you can find a selection at in-public where she is listed as a member) With the hashtag “#MondayMasters” and your reason for sharing.
Who was Vivian Maier
Vivian Maier is an interesting figure and her back story has lead to a kind of mythos growing round her. She was born in 1926 in Chicago New York and died in 2009. During almost all of that time, she was a complete unknown And in fact produced few of the many photos she took. In 2007 a collector found some of her old images and discovered her incredible style and insight, in 2009 she became a viral internet hit and died around the same time creating this legend of an artist who was completely unknown during their time alive, but popular after their death.
This has added to the little known about Vivian and also the power of discovering these previously unknown images of hers. There is a documentary called “Finding Vivian Maier” which came out in 2013 which added to the legend about her.
To be honest, I partially avoid Vivian Maier because she seemed to become so trendy and a cliche of street photography. However, her work is great and I love the fact that she did it all for her self. It was all for the intrinsic reward and that is something I really want to emulate. To be driven by the pure joy of photography and not needing outside acclaim or praise.
My photo pick of Vivian Maier
I choose this image of two girls on the street. It’s a simple image but perhaps that is the charm about it. I love the comforting arm, the cheeky smile, the deep gaze into the others eyes and the simple composed background as well as the time bound clothes with a historical placement. It’s probably not her “best” image, I’m sure I could select a more impressive compositionally image but there something really sweet about this moment of childhood friendship.
Join in with #MondayMasters
Monday Masters is open to anyone who want’s to take part. All you need to do is choose your favourite Vivian Maier picture and share it on a blog post or Twitter with your reasons for choosing it as well as the Hashtag #mondayMasters.
[…] it all for their art. It’s why we can’t help by be attracted to the mystery surrounding Vivian Maier or the story of Van Gough cutting off his ear (even if he probably didn’t). It’s why a […]