Anybody who has been and actively practising road pictures within the final twenty years can have encountered the work of Vivian Maier. The enigmatic nanny who carried a digital camera all over the place has turn into one of many best-known pictures icons of more moderen occasions.
Whereas she solely got here into the highlight years after her passing and basically by chance by way of John Maloof, her life’s work is now generally known as noteworthy documentation of fleeting but fascinating moments of her time.
As one of many key figures on the street pictures revival in current many years, many road photographers as we speak search to see and doc life the best way she did. So, it’s not shocking that photographers like Mexico-based Frederik Trovatten have been analyzing her model.
If you wish to shoot like Vivian Maier, you may study a factor or two from his video above, exhibiting his makes an attempt to mimic her model.
Shoot from the hip with a Rolleiflex
Vivian Maier was identified for capturing with a Rolleiflex, a medium format, twin-lens reflex (TLR) digital camera. Anybody who has shot with it can inform you that it’s a very completely different expertise with its personal set of challenges. First, you’ll have to coach your self to compose with a sq. body, which can or is probably not simple to get used to.
This digital camera additionally requires capturing from the hip utilizing the waist-level viewfinder, which is already difficult by itself. The picture you’ll see by way of this finder can be laterally reversed; shifting up is down, shifting left is correct. So when you do resolve to get a TLR, you may need to acquaint your self with the framing earlier than you head out for a shoot.
Use Kodak Tri-X movie or a timeless monochrome look
Vivian Maier largely shot with black and white movie. There are various selections on the market, however Kodak Tri-X could be a fantastic movie inventory to begin with. Frederik famous that it was her movie of selection for each 35mm and 120 format. Really, it stays one of many favourite emulsions of road photographers as we speak for its basic monochrome look.
Photographing individuals within the streets
Within the video clip of Ira Glass talking with Inger Raymond (whom Maier cared for as a nanny), we study that she largely simply pointed her digital camera at individuals and took her photographs. Whereas she didn’t really feel the necessity to ask for permission more often than not, do not forget that your personal ethics and follow as a road photographer come first. Frederik himself tried taking portraits on this model, however he did be aware that it isn’t one thing he often does.
Ultimately, he did ask for permission or not less than conversed together with his chosen topics. He additionally talked about an vital element about taking photographs of children, and that it pays to be conscious of the foundations in your space. The underside line: Use your greatest judgment!
Thoughts your composition
One of many issues that made Vivian Maier such an influential photographer — even when she didn’t intend to showcase her work to the world — is her eye for composition. Understanding this, Frederik additionally took inspiration from how she integrated reflections in her photographs, and her intelligent use of mirrors to take self-portraits. Be sure that to review her compositions and experiment with reflections out within the streets as nicely!
Don’t overlook to take a look at Frederik Trovatten’s YouTube channel for extra of his pictures ideas and tips.
Screenshot photos from the video
