I came across these incredible pictures taken by Vivian Maier, a street photographer who snapped various subjects in the 50's, 60's and 70's, predominantly in Chicago.
The pictures are very alluring, due mostly to the precise framing which is contrapuntal to the candid nature of the shots. They allow the viewer to gain an introspective gaze into historical American society due to the different array of settings Maier shoots. Her artistic is eye is phenomenal, as is the fact that she barely printed any of the 100,000 negatives she took in her lifetime
These pictures could have been thrown out completely had John Maloof (also from Chicago) not picked them up at an auction. He tried to locate the photographer, but after researching found an obituary stating that she had died two days previously.
Sad to think that she never saw most of her images in their developed state.
(Images courtesy of www.vivianmaier.com, Maloof's blog on the discovery of the photographs. Go check out more of her work.)
Beautiful photographs, there's something quite haunting about them too. How they capture women looking so feminine, composed and ladylike, where would you go to find such decorum now eh?
ReplyDeleteDEFINITELY not Ponty market..... Lucyx
Hi Lucy! Thanks for your lovely email the other day. You're so right re: the photos. I think they're amazing because of how haunting they are. They've made me want to get a camera and go experiment, I reckon I could get some VERY interesting shots at Ponty market!
ReplyDeleteP.s, send me blog stuff whenever you fancy.