Vivian Maier is such an interesting person! She is a prime example of someone who makes art purely for the enjoyment of the art itself. She didn't want to be in the limelight and if she didn't keep her work secret, she would have quickly become well known because her work speaks for itself!!
I have a mindset I call, the Zen of No Expectation. Where you compete or create without considering victory or payment - only the pursuit of joy and excellence. To me, Vivian embodies the pure pursuit of art and questioning the world, for no other reason than she had to. There was no pretense. Thank you for making this video, Vivian and her work should be discussed and taught, everytime I see it I'm floored... Peace-
Great, great video. Vivian Maier was a great photographer. I’ve heard all the naysaying- she was someone blessed with a good eye who just took snaps; she had no formal training, so how could she be a true photographer; her work had no real theme. The sad thing is many of these comments (and others) come from known professionals in the photography world. No one knows what was in her head when she took the pictures, but I love your take on what her theme might have been, that it was “ what it means to be human”. The work speaks for itself, Vivian Maier was a great photographer, end of story.
I wanted to include that in the video because I've read that indeed Jeanne Bertrand possibly taught Vivian how to take photos and specially portraits / landscapes which were mainly what she shot at first. And it is true that according to a 1930 census Vivian and her mum were living with Jeanne, however, I also fond the opposite, that Jeanne didn't influence her and possibly that those are just speculations. So I guess I have to go with "incognito" on that one, there's so many things we don't know. If I had to say wether Jeanne helped or not I would possibly say 60% yes, but because I wasn't 100% confident on that I didn't mention it in the video.
@@TatianaHopper ,'' But even if Bertrand was an early influence, it must also be noted that Bertrand was a portrait photographer. Vivian first picked up a camera in the southern French Alps in about 1949. The photographs she took were controlled portraits and landscapes. The odds are strong that Vivian might have been taught by Jeanne Bertrand" www.vivianmaier.com/about-vivian-maier/
@@jgaffney567 yes that’s pretty much what I was saying with my previous comment, I think it’s simply an amazing detail adding even more to Vivian’s story.
She was clearly very very talented All these images reflect what she saw and importantly what caught her attention. She had no peer pressure, no one was judging her images so she never carried that burden. Vivian's legacy is a portfolio of images that depict the true essence of the 1950's & 60's in the USA. Fantastic research and bravo on a great presentation.....
Humble and sensitive and visually stunning . Investigative and never disrespectful. Surely one of the great photographers of all time. So beautifull it makes me cry.
I’ve never understood the controversy around her work. To me, her images have always been inspiring on both a creative and technical level. Her work stands on its own regardless of the backstory.
Well, morally, I think it had to do with the fact that she possibly might've not wanted her work to be shown or published. Plus it is the artist's right to edit their work and what Maloof and the other collector did was to publish sequences of images that she might've not possibly be okay with. They were not edited or reviewed by her, so it means it was all done without the artists' consent, meaning, exhibitions, prints and books were sold without a consent and proper authorisation as well. Needless to say, the collectors' intentions are questioned because prior to this "Vivian enterprise," they weren't really connected with photography on a serious level (galleries, photographers, photography lovers...), and so it is speculated wether they saw a "golden opportunity" here, especially because her negatives were found by Maloof two years before she passed away. Also legally, you can own the negatives of someone's archive / portfolio but you do not own the rights to commercialise the images, which is why lawsuits were brought against collectors some I believe by the Vivian Maier estate which was run by I believe distant heirs and other executors that were essentially not okay with this propaganda of her work. And so the collectors had to settle with them financially. And to conclude, one of the biggest issues I believe {from what I read} is that Vivian died in poverty and she struggled with money, the lack of it, for many years, which makes it all even more questionable, although to me personally I believe its just sad, that someone else might now take financial advantage of her work, although it also highlights that she did it all because she truly loved photography. Unfortunately, these are the ways of the world. And I hope this in a way helped understanding the controversies surrounding her work.
Thanks for the well reasoned and thoughtful response T. I agree about the legal and ethical issues being very questionable(the rights of her family especially). But wether she intended for them to be seen or not, the world is a better place with those images in it. When all of this news broke years ago, some critics questioned the artistic value of her work. That’s more what I was referring to and what I couldn’t understand at the time. All of these issues make the enjoyment of her work bittersweet for me I guess. I’m no art critic but I think her work ranks up there with street/documentary legends. And thank you for these videos, I really enjoy your artist profiles!
@@TatianaHopper T, I was going to make your point about her wanting to have her work published. That came out in another article I read about her within the last couple of days where the point about her being a very private person was made quite strongly. Vivian had been nanny to one of the people interviewed in the article. Having said that, I very much admire her images and only wish that my film (film - never analogue, thank you very much!) images were anywhere near as good as hers. Keep up the good work, G in NZ.
@@TatianaHopper I remember there was a Vivian Maier exhibition at my local art museum a few years back. I loved seeing her work, but I also felt guilty about being there for these reasons that you brought up.
@@oceansquatch1481 completely agree with you, I’m not art critic either but I guess that her work speaks more to me than some other that has been heavily praised by the media / art world. Appreciate you for watching and supporting the channel! Peace ✌🏻
This is such a great video on Ms Maier. In my opinion, she is one of the truly great photographers. When the RUclips/ Photographers / Us / Me are all consumed with what Instagram is going to do - we forget to invest ourselves in improving ourselves & our work. Many many thanks.
I've come across a lot of Maier's images and the more I see of them, the more I consider her as one of the photography greats. Thanks for posting this.
For me photography should always start, and hopefully continue to be, for yourself. It should not be a thing where we bend to suit the desires of other people. When it becomes that you are not being true to yourself and something is inevitably lost. Something that I don't think happened to Vivian Maier, which is one of the many reasons her work is so beautiful.
Wow. After documentaries, articles, news segments, countless RUclipsrs and photographer convos - I feel like this was a complete reintroduction to Vivian Maier and her work. The way you want to be introduced to someone and their work. Like stepping out of a noisey party for a smoke and having a real look at someone. Well done, Tatiana.
Thank you John, appreciate your words and love the comparison with the party, that's exactly how I felt doing this video, I was overwhelmed with information and I really left some of it behind and just tried to process with my mind and feelings what I was seeing.
This work is born from your deep passion, and love. And you helped me to realize how much I love photography, and art. I'm so grateful for you, thank you for your amazing work. ❤, from Hungary! :)
Wow wow wow. First time here. That rocked my world. The emotion and feelings coming through this story and her work. Powerful. Kudos to you too, great work here
I like Vivians work, I actually really love how it's so simple. It doesn't try to be technically smart and follow strict rules of composition, by layering multiple elements all working together at specific areas in the scene, like a lot of street photography is.
Terrific analysis of this amazing person’s work. We’re all better off for being able to admire her photography, even under a less than optimal situation
Such a beautiful and thoughtful vid, and worthy of its subject. Thank you. I haven’t closely followed VM’s work since the documentary premiered, but thought I knew her work - but almost all these are new to me. She might be the greatest street photographer who ever lived.
Time travel into the future, not likely. Vivian Maier's photography is to me a machine for time travelling into the past . When I see here photographs I always feel like an invisible time traveller . I feel I am there and then seeing what she saw . Her photography has a unique ' feeling ' it's so honest and so innocent and the product of a hugely curious mind and a person fascinated by ordinary human beings. From the first time I saw the photographs I thought ' this hits the spot big time '. Great presentation. Many thanks.
Maier sounds so familiar to me. Her father was Austrian, Maier is a very common name in my home country. I like the photos of Vivian a lot. What I learned from this video for us photographers is the importance of capturing newspapers, billboards, films, theatre, exhibitions advertisings and even clothing, cars or houses. And of course the appreciative presentation of marginalized groups in society. And what photographers often forget. Self-Portraits! These things makes history tangible for the posterity.
Thanks, Ms. T for the closer look at dear Vivian. I love all her selfies, or maybe I should be calling them self-portraits. There is something fun about going out with a camera and just taking photos of what interests you. It kind of gives you a mission to work on a subject to find, photograph, and catalog for yourself. Of course, but I keep thinking of the quote by photographer Thomas Leuthard - "Street Photography is Like Fishing. Catching the Fish is more exciting than eating it" Well, she sure reeled in some whopper of fish in her day.
She was truly an amazing photographer on two fronts; firstly as a social commentator on mid twentieth century American urban life of both the rich and poor and secondly as a skilled street photographer who used to great effect the compositional skills that are taught by the 'experts' who can be very snooty about her. Her phenomenal body of work will viewed, discussed and appreciated long after these same 'academics' have long faded into obscurity.
I got into analog photography because of her. I saw one of her self portrait and I fell in love with her style. Thanks Tatiana for this video. (You should check Sergio Larrain’s photography , he’s really good and unique)
At this current day and age where we are so in tuned with the wants of our audience or followers (on ig), I find Vivian's story and work so inspiring. It is as if she owned her work completely, making her the sole judge of what makes it in her frame. But as much as I love the incognito aspect of her photography, we would have almost not been able to witness such amazing work in the first place, if not for the retrieval efforts of the curator. So it got me thinking, perhaps we truly value her work because of the sheer authenticity and originality of her voice. And the fact that it could have all been lost further cements its value as something of a lost treasure. Perhaps if she had opened up and publicised her work, it would have compromised the value on these 2 fronts, because it could be interpreted as her wanting an audience to critique and consequently "make sense" of what she had captured.
When I take “random” pictures and everyone around me are baffled about why I take these pictures, I find this lady work has allows me to embrace my own ‘work’ and feel better about doing my own thing . Her work is amazing ❤️
Same here and I love taking photos of what catches my attention and get many compliments, but the joy I find in doing it for myself is what drives me. So in a way I understand Vivian bc the only person one should please is themselves. Why is that so unique and unusual???
I've watched another documentary on her and I find the human aspect of who Vivian was (imperfect, mean, abusive, kind, odd, hopeful, etc.) Super interesting when you compare it to her photography. Any given photo of hers is like a piece of music, containing different aspects of her life and experiences, through light, shape, balance. etc. Very interesting individual.
I became aware of her work around 6 months ago and even bought a book with her photos. I don't have it any longer since I had to get rid of stuff when I moved. I definitely agree that she was a great photographer and deserves to be taken seriously as an artist. Its a shame she wasn't recognized and compensated while she was alive but I feel that deep down all artists want to be recognized and acknowledged just like all humans do.
What a respectful and lovely video about Vivian Maier. Thank you for your work and storytelling.. Thank you so much for adding location and date for each photo. Helped me a lot to understand where she was at a given time. Greetings from Denmark.
Vivian Maier has been one of my favorites. Especially her B&W work. I have not only admired her photos but also, what we know of her as a person which is admittedly not very much other than she was obviously devoted to her art without an ounce of self-promotion or expectation that others would ever see her photos. I'm so glad her photos were discovered and presented to the world. I can't help but wish Vivian could have had an awareness of how much her work is admired.
Excellent vid! 👍 Hers is truly one of the great stories in the history of photography. Her work speaks for itself; on a par with the work of Robert Frank, IMO. Truly exquisite! ✌🧡
Her work is incredible. Along with Cartier-Bresson, she's my fave. I can look at her photography over and over and still feel the same emotions I experienced when I looked at them for the first ever time.
I just watched the documentary yesterday so seeing this video is great timing as you summed up Vivian and her work very impeccably. Would love to see a video like this on Robert Frank or Marry Ellen mark. Also really loved the video itself, beautifully edited & it gave such a nice relaxing vibe. 🤍
Thank you so much, appreciate it, I did try a new approach to this video so I'm happy its getting positive feedback, for sure will try and bring more of this. And Robert Frank / Mary Ellen Mark are for sure on my list.
I absolutely adore your channel.. you keep saying grab a drink.. I have watched about 14 of your videos up to this point ..and am now under the table .. keep up the good work ….I add used to work as a so called jobbing photographer ..these days have one camera and one lens ..and to my joy a little instax printer ..I shoot and give out prints … have no money but makes me happy …you are a star …
Hey Mike! Came across your comment just now so apologies for not replying sooner thank you so much for your comment! I’m glad you’re enjoying the channel and that you’re happy to do your thing, that’s what’s most important. All the very best to you 💫🤍
What a talent and artist. Incredible information and very inspiring for others. I think the world we live in hasn't changed, even more nowadays we have incredible artists among us. And not changed, by that I meant to say that it's still a world that doesn't value personality and talent. It's a world that says: "If it doesn't make money, it has no value." Personality is a value, and everyone has value. It's the system that is actually worthless.
Thankyou for a fascinating video. I am very happy that Vivian's work was found and saved for the world to see and enjoy. She was truly passionate about her subjects. I have several books and a video about her, and I will always treasure her vision of the world. Alan in the UK.
One Of The First Film Photographers That Ever Caught My Eye This Was Before I Even Tried Film Myself And Was Strictly Digital Her Eye Was So Sharp And A Lot Of Her Frames Tell Stories Especially The 6:6 Ones...
On of the most amazing street photographers ever! Can I also recommend the wonderful Tish Murtha to you if you’ve not already discovered her … another beautiful visionary lost too soon. Her daughter is approachable and I’m sure will speak to you …
After everything I've seen and read (after all this time) I still can't wrap my head around her leaving behind so much undeveloped film. It's probably not for us to know why, right? Great video!
Also Gary Winogrand, he died suddenly, so a little different, but he left behind about 200,000 undeveloped images. Both were addicted, they just HAD to shoot.
This is by far the BEST analysis of Vivian Maier's work I've witnessed on RUclips. I'm such a fan of yours because you offer such a thoughtful perspective on the work of the greats I haven't seen anywhere else on RUclips. Keep up the great work. From one photographer to another, you have a fan in me.
I love your videos, I show them to my lovely elderly people in Age Uk for my lesson on Photography Appreciation. Thank you so much for your beautiful content.
What a great video, I still think that her work and she deserved to be known and to live a better life. It's hard no to see - especially when you read Ann Marks' book about her - that she suffered from the lack of recognition and how hard it was to build a name in photography. However, she's such a great example of where passion can lead you.
Absolutely Juliette, she’s a prime example of regardless of status and popularity she still did what she loved the most which is the most important thing !
This may be your best video. You hit on so many important topics for artist/photographers to consider no matter where they are in their career. I will have to re-watch this several more times. As for Vivian Maier she is the true amateur poster child. She photograph all the time with what she had without looking for adulations or even promoting her work. I strive to be like her.
Another wonderful video, I always watch anything made about Vivian M and I now seem to watch all of your videos so double reason to watch! Thanks as always.
Absolutely wonderful! Vivian Maier was a riddle wrapped in a mystery. So many images I had not seen before. I hadn't realised that Vivian herself put her collection up for sale. Alexis Korner said that there are two types of musician; those who just want to make music and those who want to be seen doing it. As a street photographer Vivian was irrefutably the former. Street photographers are spies and thiefs of time. I love street photography but you do get hassled so cowardice crushes you; Vivian just got on with it although it was a different time and being a woman less of a threat. One of your best videos yet T. Robin Witting
Just watched the documentary on Vivian Maier and it was great and made you wonder about her life and her intentions with her love of taking photos. She actually reminded me of myself and I take non professional photos and have gotten many compliments but just do it for myself. I also take photos of the small things I find interesting and try to capture them at their best. So I tend to see the beauty in the things most walk pass and don’t notice. Bc when her works were discovered after her passing, we will never know what her intentions with having taken thousands of photos . I used to carry a small digital camera and each time I saw something I was ready to capture. Some days taking over 200 photos. Imagine if she living in the digital age and being able to see the images immediately and not have to keep up with the cost of developing film bc she was not rich and worked as a nanny most of her life. I wonder if she was really poor bc in the movie they mention that Vivian took 8 months traveling the world for 8 months. I’m wonder how she was able to afford doing so?
Also, if Vivian still had family, I wonder if this man that bought Vivian’s photos and personal effects would be able to show her work for profit?! Just wondering about the legal aspect of this whole matter.
Loved your inclusion of the film and color footage I hadn’t seen before. Your perspective is spot on. Garry Winogrand stressed how the photograph needed to stand on its own. It either worked or didn’t and photographic intent was irrelevant to the viewer. There have been other posthumously discovered phiotographers like Atget and E.J. Bellocq who were championed by there discoverers and have been accepted in the art world. Putting aside the controversy around her “discovery” it’s clear she had a remarkable vision and her photography should be seen and appreciated
What a wonderful video on Vivian Maier. I feel we are so fortunate to be able to see her body of work, even if she would not have embraced fame or fortune. Had this body of work remained hidden and never to be seen by the general public, it would have been a modern day tragedy. Such insight into the human condition and everyday life is a delight to the viewer. Your video did her story Justice!
More questions than answers. A life as an artist that cannot be measured in terms of fame or money? Art as meditation and occupation with yourself without the big career that everyone dreams of? This example is truly a challenge to think about. Thanx.
Thank you for your excellent video. It seems ironic that, in the case of a gifted artist who pursued virtual anonymity, we have trouble looking at her work without getting into detective work about who she was, or ethical arguments about the propriety of showing her work, or legal arguments about who owns it.
“Fame should never be a mean, but the consequence of your work”.
Beautifully said.
💯
she inspires me to just take photos. To continue whether or not I find "success" in it and just do it!!
Vivian Maier is such an interesting person! She is a prime example of someone who makes art purely for the enjoyment of the art itself. She didn't want to be in the limelight and if she didn't keep her work secret, she would have quickly become well known because her work speaks for itself!!
Absolutely Reimann!
Yes and a true artist and not chasing fame and fortune.
like chess...
I wonder though. I feel like it was her personal way of escaping the rigors blue collar work and social compliance.
I have a mindset I call, the Zen of No Expectation. Where you compete or create without considering victory or payment - only the pursuit of joy and excellence. To me, Vivian embodies the pure pursuit of art and questioning the world, for no other reason than she had to. There was no pretense.
Thank you for making this video, Vivian and her work should be discussed and taught, everytime I see it I'm floored...
Peace-
Thank you John, completely agree with you. Cheers for watching, peace!
Spot on Sir.
interesting
I had never seen her 8mm film of Chicago before now! She really was a great spy! Thank you for sharing!
Art in any form is like beauty, in the eye of the beholder.
She seems so fascinating, and we can only guess her intentions now… Such beautiful work.
Very true!
Great, great video. Vivian Maier was a great photographer. I’ve heard all the naysaying- she was someone blessed with a good eye who just took snaps; she had no formal training, so how could she be a true photographer; her work had no real theme. The sad thing is many of these comments (and others) come from known professionals in the photography world. No one knows what was in her head when she took the pictures, but I love your take on what her theme might have been, that it was “ what it means to be human”. The work speaks for itself, Vivian Maier was a great photographer, end of story.
While no formal training in a commercial sense she had Jeanne Bertrand,
Thank you, completely agree with you when you say Vivian Maier was a great photographer, end of the story. That pretty much summarises the video ahah
I wanted to include that in the video because I've read that indeed Jeanne Bertrand possibly taught Vivian how to take photos and specially portraits / landscapes which were mainly what she shot at first. And it is true that according to a 1930 census Vivian and her mum were living with Jeanne, however, I also fond the opposite, that Jeanne didn't influence her and possibly that those are just speculations. So I guess I have to go with "incognito" on that one, there's so many things we don't know. If I had to say wether Jeanne helped or not I would possibly say 60% yes, but because I wasn't 100% confident on that I didn't mention it in the video.
@@TatianaHopper ,'' But even if Bertrand was an early influence, it must also be noted that Bertrand was a portrait photographer. Vivian first picked up a camera in the southern French Alps in about 1949. The photographs she took were controlled portraits and landscapes. The odds are strong that Vivian might have been taught by Jeanne Bertrand"
www.vivianmaier.com/about-vivian-maier/
@@jgaffney567 yes that’s pretty much what I was saying with my previous comment, I think it’s simply an amazing detail adding even more to Vivian’s story.
I find Vivian’s work beautiful
She was clearly very very talented All these images reflect what she saw and importantly what caught her attention. She had no peer pressure, no one was judging her images so she never carried that burden. Vivian's legacy is a portfolio of images that depict the true essence of the 1950's & 60's in the USA. Fantastic research and bravo on a great presentation.....
Thank you Anthony appreciate it. And agree with you, she was a lone wolf and a very talented one.
Magnificent perspective of the Vivian Maier's world... Thanks, I really appreciated! Rosaria
Thank you for watching Rosaria!
Beautiful video, Tatiana! When I discovered Vivian Maier, my interest in film photography was rekindled.
Thank you!
Thank you for this. This is a reminder for me to use my rolleiflex more often!
Wonderful, simply wonderful.
Love this - hoping to make it to the Chicago History Museum for their color Maier exhibit
Humble and sensitive and visually stunning . Investigative and never disrespectful. Surely one of the great photographers of all time. So beautifull it makes me cry.
Just saw her exhibit here in Lisbon last month and her work is simply amazing.
Yeah, I admired her passion and devotion too. A reminder to pick up the camera more often to keep the perishable skills fresh.
A gentle and sensitive look at this person’s life and photography while showcasing her unique vision in both still and moving images. Well done!
I’ve never understood the controversy around her work. To me, her images have always been inspiring on both a creative and technical level. Her work stands on its own regardless of the backstory.
Well, morally, I think it had to do with the fact that she possibly might've not wanted her work to be shown or published. Plus it is the artist's right to edit their work and what Maloof and the other collector did was to publish sequences of images that she might've not possibly be okay with. They were not edited or reviewed by her, so it means it was all done without the artists' consent, meaning, exhibitions, prints and books were sold without a consent and proper authorisation as well. Needless to say, the collectors' intentions are questioned because prior to this "Vivian enterprise," they weren't really connected with photography on a serious level (galleries, photographers, photography lovers...), and so it is speculated wether they saw a "golden opportunity" here, especially because her negatives were found by Maloof two years before she passed away. Also legally, you can own the negatives of someone's archive / portfolio but you do not own the rights to commercialise the images, which is why lawsuits were brought against collectors some I believe by the Vivian Maier estate which was run by I believe distant heirs and other executors that were essentially not okay with this propaganda of her work. And so the collectors had to settle with them financially. And to conclude, one of the biggest issues I believe {from what I read} is that Vivian died in poverty and she struggled with money, the lack of it, for many years, which makes it all even more questionable, although to me personally I believe its just sad, that someone else might now take financial advantage of her work, although it also highlights that she did it all because she truly loved photography. Unfortunately, these are the ways of the world. And I hope this in a way helped understanding the controversies surrounding her work.
Thanks for the well reasoned and thoughtful response T. I agree about the legal and ethical issues being very questionable(the rights of her family especially). But wether she intended for them to be seen or not, the world is a better place with those images in it. When all of this news broke years ago, some critics questioned the artistic value of her work. That’s more what I was referring to and what I couldn’t understand at the time. All of these issues make the enjoyment of her work bittersweet for me I guess. I’m no art critic but I think her work ranks up there with street/documentary legends. And thank you for these videos, I really enjoy your artist profiles!
@@TatianaHopper T, I was going to make your point about her wanting to have her work published. That came out in another article I read about her within the last couple of days where the point about her being a very private person was made quite strongly. Vivian had been nanny to one of the people interviewed in the article.
Having said that, I very much admire her images and only wish that my film (film - never analogue, thank you very much!) images were anywhere near as good as hers.
Keep up the good work, G in NZ.
@@TatianaHopper I remember there was a Vivian Maier exhibition at my local art museum a few years back. I loved seeing her work, but I also felt guilty about being there for these reasons that you brought up.
@@oceansquatch1481 completely agree with you, I’m not art critic either but I guess that her work speaks more to me than some other that has been heavily praised by the media / art world. Appreciate you for watching and supporting the channel! Peace ✌🏻
This is such a great video on Ms Maier. In my opinion, she is one of the truly great photographers. When the RUclips/ Photographers / Us / Me are all consumed with what Instagram is going to do - we forget to invest ourselves in improving ourselves & our work. Many many thanks.
I've come across a lot of Maier's images and the more I see of them, the more I consider her as one of the photography greats. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you!
thank you so much for focusing on content and not opinions //something i really appreciate about this channel
Thank you Sammy, appreciate you!
For me photography should always start, and hopefully continue to be, for yourself. It should not be a thing where we bend to suit the desires of other people. When it becomes that you are not being true to yourself and something is inevitably lost. Something that I don't think happened to Vivian Maier, which is one of the many reasons her work is so beautiful.
A good friend of mine recommended me the documentary with her and suddenly you're making a video on her. Perfect timing 📸
Perfect timing indeed!
@@TatianaHopper yeah! I love your channel btw. Grainydays sent me :)
Wow. After documentaries, articles, news segments, countless RUclipsrs and photographer convos - I feel like this was a complete reintroduction to Vivian Maier and her work. The way you want to be introduced to someone and their work. Like stepping out of a noisey party for a smoke and having a real look at someone. Well done, Tatiana.
Thank you John, appreciate your words and love the comparison with the party, that's exactly how I felt doing this video, I was overwhelmed with information and I really left some of it behind and just tried to process with my mind and feelings what I was seeing.
This work is born from your deep passion, and love. And you helped me to realize how much I love photography, and art. I'm so grateful for you, thank you for your amazing work.
❤, from Hungary! :)
Wow wow wow. First time here. That rocked my world. The emotion and feelings coming through this story and her work. Powerful. Kudos to you too, great work here
A true Outsider Artist … what a wonderful film … thankyou for posting 💖
To me VM’s photography is a Time Machine. Thanks for a sympathetic presentation of her work.
As a native of the Chicago burbs, I appreciate you highlighting her work!
I am always blown away by the soul inside every photo she took.
fantastic, I really enjoyed this one! Vivian is one of my favorite artists. I could watch this like forever. 😄
Thank you!
I like Vivians work, I actually really love how it's so simple. It doesn't try to be technically smart and follow strict rules of composition, by layering multiple elements all working together at specific areas in the scene, like a lot of street photography is.
Terrific analysis of this amazing person’s work. We’re all better off for being able to admire her photography, even under a less than optimal situation
Such a beautiful and thoughtful vid, and worthy of its subject. Thank you. I haven’t closely followed VM’s work since the documentary premiered, but thought I knew her work - but almost all these are new to me. She might be the greatest street photographer who ever lived.
Thank you, she indeed is among them greatest street photographers ever!
Time travel into the future, not likely. Vivian Maier's photography is to me a machine for time travelling into the past . When I see here photographs I always feel like an invisible time traveller . I feel I am there and then seeing what she saw . Her photography has a unique ' feeling ' it's so honest and so innocent and the product of a hugely curious mind and a person fascinated by ordinary human beings. From the first time I saw the photographs I thought ' this hits the spot big time '. Great presentation. Many thanks.
Lovely video. One of my favorite photographers ever, her fascination with everyday life is inspiring. I’m glad it got exposed to the world.
Maier sounds so familiar to me. Her father was Austrian, Maier is a very common name in my home country.
I like the photos of Vivian a lot. What I learned from this video for us photographers is the importance of capturing newspapers, billboards, films, theatre, exhibitions advertisings and even clothing, cars or houses. And of course the appreciative presentation of marginalized groups in society. And what photographers often forget. Self-Portraits!
These things makes history tangible for the posterity.
👏
Thanks, Ms. T for the closer look at dear Vivian. I love all her selfies, or maybe I should be calling them self-portraits. There is something fun about going out with a camera and just taking photos of what interests you. It kind of gives you a mission to work on a subject to find, photograph, and catalog for yourself. Of course, but I keep thinking of the quote by photographer Thomas Leuthard - "Street Photography is Like Fishing. Catching the Fish is more exciting than eating it" Well, she sure reeled in some whopper of fish in her day.
I loved the way you presented Vivian's life and work. Great video!
She was truly an amazing photographer on two fronts; firstly as a social commentator on mid twentieth century American urban life of both the rich and poor and secondly as a skilled street photographer who used to great effect the compositional skills that are taught by the 'experts' who can be very snooty about her. Her phenomenal body of work will viewed, discussed and appreciated long after these same 'academics' have long faded into obscurity.
Vivian Maier is very inspiring. I find her Photos take me back to a less complicated time (something I find more important now than ever).
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I got into analog photography because of her. I saw one of her self portrait and I fell in love with her style. Thanks Tatiana for this video. (You should check Sergio Larrain’s photography , he’s really good and unique)
Thank you, appreciate it, and just checked Sergio's work. Quickly added him to my list!
At this current day and age where we are so in tuned with the wants of our audience or followers (on ig), I find Vivian's story and work so inspiring. It is as if she owned her work completely, making her the sole judge of what makes it in her frame. But as much as I love the incognito aspect of her photography, we would have almost not been able to witness such amazing work in the first place, if not for the retrieval efforts of the curator.
So it got me thinking, perhaps we truly value her work because of the sheer authenticity and originality of her voice. And the fact that it could have all been lost further cements its value as something of a lost treasure. Perhaps if she had opened up and publicised her work, it would have compromised the value on these 2 fronts, because it could be interpreted as her wanting an audience to critique and consequently "make sense" of what she had captured.
When I take “random” pictures and everyone around me are baffled about why I take these pictures, I find this lady work has allows me to embrace my own ‘work’ and feel better about doing my own thing . Her work is amazing ❤️
Same here and I love taking photos of what catches my attention and get many compliments, but the joy I find in doing it for myself is what drives me. So in a way I understand Vivian bc the only person one should please is themselves. Why is that so unique and unusual???
Wonderful, thank you for making this and sharing. 📸
God she’s so good. I’m speechless.
I've watched another documentary on her and I find the human aspect of who Vivian was (imperfect, mean, abusive, kind, odd, hopeful, etc.) Super interesting when you compare it to her photography. Any given photo of hers is like a piece of music, containing different aspects of her life and experiences, through light, shape, balance. etc. Very interesting individual.
I became aware of her work around 6 months ago and even bought a book with her photos. I don't have it any longer since I had to get rid of stuff when I moved. I definitely agree that she was a great photographer and deserves to be taken seriously as an artist. Its a shame she wasn't recognized and compensated while she was alive but I feel that deep down all artists want to be recognized and acknowledged just like all humans do.
This was well done, thank you.
I really had no clue how Vivian was discovered, Amazing!
This channel is pure gold.
Thanks for taking the time 🙌♥️🥂
Thank you Martin, appreciate the support. All the best!
What a respectful and lovely video about Vivian Maier. Thank you for your work and storytelling.. Thank you so much for adding location and date for each photo. Helped me a lot to understand where she was at a given time. Greetings from Denmark.
Vivian Maier has been one of my favorites. Especially her B&W work. I have not only admired her photos but also, what we know of her as a person which is admittedly not very much other than she was obviously devoted to her art without an ounce of self-promotion or expectation that others would ever see her photos. I'm so glad her photos were discovered and presented to the world. I can't help but wish Vivian could have had an awareness of how much her work is admired.
Excellent vid! 👍 Hers is truly one of the great stories in the history of photography. Her work speaks for itself; on a par with the work of Robert Frank, IMO. Truly exquisite! ✌🧡
Absolutely Joseph, her work is really amazing.
I absolutely love this, her work is definitely unique. Great work doing a tribute of this amazing woman.
I love her work, thank you
Great story backed up by great imagery.
Her work is incredible. Along with Cartier-Bresson, she's my fave. I can look at her photography over and over and still feel the same emotions I experienced when I looked at them for the first ever time.
So true, same happens with me!
I finally got a hard cover of one of Cartier-Bresson portrait work.
I just watched the documentary yesterday so seeing this video is great timing as you summed up Vivian and her work very impeccably. Would love to see a video like this on Robert Frank or Marry Ellen mark.
Also really loved the video itself, beautifully edited & it gave such a nice relaxing vibe. 🤍
Thank you so much, appreciate it, I did try a new approach to this video so I'm happy its getting positive feedback, for sure will try and bring more of this. And Robert Frank / Mary Ellen Mark are for sure on my list.
Fantastic portrait! Thank you for bringing Vivian Maier to our world 🌠
Thank you for watching! Cheers!
thank you for introducing me to this photographer. I had an emotional reaction to lots of the images and I want to buy a book of her photographs!
Go for it! She is an amazing photographer!
I absolutely adore your channel.. you keep saying grab a drink.. I have watched about 14 of your videos up to this point ..and am now under the table .. keep up the good work ….I add used to work as a so called jobbing photographer ..these days have one camera and one lens ..and to my joy a little instax printer ..I shoot and give out prints … have no money but makes me happy …you are a star …
Hey Mike! Came across your comment just now so apologies for not replying sooner thank you so much for your comment! I’m glad you’re enjoying the channel and that you’re happy to do your thing, that’s what’s most important. All the very best to you 💫🤍
Thanks ❤ thank u for bringing vivian maier to my world ...❤❤❤
🙏🏻
Loved this! The Russ Meyer marquee made me laugh. She was a spy.
What a talent and artist. Incredible information and very inspiring for others.
I think the world we live in hasn't changed, even more nowadays we have incredible artists among us. And not changed, by that I meant to say that it's still a world that doesn't value personality and talent. It's a world that says: "If it doesn't make money, it has no value."
Personality is a value, and everyone has value. It's the system that is actually worthless.
Thankyou for a fascinating video. I am very happy that Vivian's work was found and saved for the world to see and enjoy. She was truly passionate about her subjects. I have several books and a video about her, and I will always treasure her vision of the world. Alan in the UK.
Thank you Alan, I totally agree with you!
One Of The First Film Photographers That Ever Caught My Eye
This Was Before I Even Tried Film Myself And Was Strictly Digital
Her Eye Was So Sharp And A Lot Of Her Frames Tell Stories
Especially The 6:6 Ones...
On of the most amazing street photographers ever! Can I also recommend the wonderful Tish Murtha to you if you’ve not already discovered her … another beautiful visionary lost too soon. Her daughter is approachable and I’m sure will speak to you …
Brilliant and sensitive observations. You are an exceptional teacher through the insights you share.
Thank you Craig!
After everything I've seen and read (after all this time) I still can't wrap my head around her leaving behind so much undeveloped film. It's probably not for us to know why, right? Great video!
Also Gary Winogrand, he died suddenly, so a little different, but he left behind about 200,000 undeveloped images. Both were addicted, they just HAD to shoot.
I don't think she could afford to print them out. The process of looking and seeing and taking was more important than the final image.
Thank you ! Excellent video :)
Cheers!
Vivian's life may have been a mystery but her work was nothing short of amazing. A very thoughtful and well presented video.
Thank you Rich!
Thank so much for this video. Love the way you narrated and showed her excellent work.
This is by far the BEST analysis of Vivian Maier's work I've witnessed on RUclips. I'm such a fan of yours because you offer such a thoughtful perspective on the work of the greats I haven't seen anywhere else on RUclips. Keep up the great work. From one photographer to another, you have a fan in me.
Thank you so much I really appreciate the support and the kind words, all the best my friend! :)
I love your videos, I show them to my lovely elderly people in Age Uk for my lesson on Photography Appreciation. Thank you so much for your beautiful content.
Thank you Marina that’s lovely and I’ve donated to Age Uk I’m aware of what you guys do and I want to thank you for that. All the best 🙏🏻
Very Nice Analysis of her work & the Art World from your POV.
This is a perfect 6x6 masterclass that is right on time for me! Always on point T!
Thank you Chris!
You are insightful beyond your years. Thank you.
So nice of you thanks for the kind words 🙏🏻 and for watching!
What a great video, I still think that her work and she deserved to be known and to live a better life. It's hard no to see - especially when you read Ann Marks' book about her - that she suffered from the lack of recognition and how hard it was to build a name in photography. However, she's such a great example of where passion can lead you.
Absolutely Juliette, she’s a prime example of regardless of status and popularity she still did what she loved the most which is the most important thing !
This may be your best video. You hit on so many important topics for artist/photographers to consider no matter where they are in their career. I will have to re-watch this several more times. As for Vivian Maier she is the true amateur poster child. She photograph all the time with what she had without looking for adulations or even promoting her work. I strive to be like her.
Absolutely Michael, meeting her and her work is a humbling experience, to remind us why we do what we do.
i love coming back to this video
You might be the one youtuber that most delivers. I can't believe the rate at which the videos come.
Thank you Agustín!
One of my fav photographers.
Girl! This IS AN AMAZING VIDEO! I’m a fan of Vivian Maier photography. Thanks for this.
Thank you! 🤍
The most beautifull social photography made by the most asocial photographer
It's so ironic!
Another wonderful video, I always watch anything made about Vivian M and I now seem to watch all of your videos so double reason to watch! Thanks as always.
Yeeey, cheers for that. Appreciate you!
Absolutely wonderful! Vivian Maier was a riddle wrapped in a mystery. So many images I had not seen before. I hadn't realised that Vivian herself put her collection up for sale. Alexis Korner said that there are two types of musician; those who just want to make music and those who want to be seen doing it. As a street photographer Vivian was irrefutably the former. Street photographers are spies and thiefs of time. I love street photography but you do get hassled so cowardice crushes you; Vivian just got on with it although it was a different time and being a woman less of a threat. One of your best videos yet T. Robin Witting
Thank you Robin! Appreciate the kind words and really good points in your comment!
hey love your videos! have you ever thought of doing a series about contemporary photographers? would love to watch it.
Yes, I'll be bringing some videos on that :)
Just watched the documentary on Vivian Maier and it was great and made you wonder about her life and her intentions with her love of taking photos.
She actually reminded me of myself and I take non professional photos and have gotten many compliments but just do it for myself. I also take photos of the small things I find interesting and try to capture them at their best. So I tend to see the beauty in the things most walk pass and don’t notice.
Bc when her works were discovered after her passing, we will never know what her intentions with having taken thousands of photos . I used to carry a small digital camera and each time I saw something I was ready to capture. Some days taking over 200 photos. Imagine if she living in the digital age and being able to see the images immediately and not have to keep up with the cost of developing film bc she was not rich and worked as a nanny most of her life.
I wonder if she was really poor bc in the movie they mention that Vivian took 8 months traveling the world for 8 months. I’m wonder how she was able to afford doing so?
Also, if Vivian still had family, I wonder if this man that bought Vivian’s photos and personal effects would be able to show her work for profit?! Just wondering about the legal aspect of this whole matter.
Loved your inclusion of the film and color footage I hadn’t seen before. Your perspective is spot on. Garry Winogrand stressed how the photograph needed to stand on its own. It either worked or didn’t and photographic intent was irrelevant to the viewer.
There have been other posthumously discovered phiotographers like Atget and E.J. Bellocq who were championed by there discoverers and have been accepted in the art world. Putting aside the controversy around her “discovery” it’s clear she had a remarkable vision and her photography should be seen and appreciated
Completely agree with you Eric! Regardless of how she was discovered, Vivian’s work is a treasure! Thank you for watching! :)
Just bought her book can’t wait to see it !
I'm in love with the images. I appreciate the offer that went to this video!.. Thank you so much
Appreciate it!
What a wonderful video on Vivian Maier. I feel we are so fortunate to be able to see her body of work, even if she would not have embraced fame or fortune. Had this body of work remained hidden and never to be seen by the general public, it would have been a modern day tragedy. Such insight into the human condition and everyday life is a delight to the viewer. Your video did her story Justice!
Thank you so much William 🤍
More questions than answers. A life as an artist that cannot be measured in terms of fame or money? Art as meditation and occupation with yourself without the big career that everyone dreams of?
This example is truly a challenge to think about.
Thanx.
Indeed, more questions than answers, I think I could go on and on about Vivian and her examples for so many moral / art related questions.
Vivian the best street photographer
Incredible talent. Great eye
That was the most Chicago pronunciation of Chicago I've heard a non-Chicagan pronounce! Lovely video
Thank you for your excellent video. It seems ironic that, in the case of a gifted artist who pursued virtual anonymity, we have trouble looking at her work without getting into detective work about who she was, or ethical arguments about the propriety of showing her work, or legal arguments about who owns it.