Reflection Research Post (Vivian Maier)

Vivian Maier was an American street photographer who was born in February 1926 and died in April 2009. She was a nanny but in her spare time, was devoted to photography. over the decades, she proceeded 100,000 negatives which were mostly shot in Chicago and New York. She produced some interesting images, sometimes focusing on reflection photography, which most of time conveyed some deep meanings.

  This is a piece of work constructed by Vivian Maier. I like it because it looks like she has slyly photographed herself in a mirror which a man is trying to carry. It looks as if the man probably does not know that she is even standing behind him and is probably just trying to get on with the job he is aims to complete. However, this may not be the case and she may have conciously constructed it to look this way. The fact that the picture is black and white works well with this picture because the outline of the mirror is barely visible and looks as if it blends into the background.

  I like this piece of work by Vivian Maier because it reflects possibly a family (a father and his children). This could tie in with the idea of family (which she may focus on due to her occupation as a nanny). I lie the reflection onto the puddle because it is very vivid and distinct, which I personally think is important within in reflection photography because it really highlights the subject topic. I think it is effective in black and white because it makes us the try meanings behind family. She has photographed family within an everyday setting - walking down the road. Reflection as black and white images highlights he reflection better because it prevents overriding factors getting in the way (for example, colour).

  This image is one of my favourite pieces of Maier's because it hold a deeper meaning tun just a reflection of herself. Her presence as a nanny throughout her life is shown here. Once again, she is reflected in the image however, two small children are also presented through the window. The reflection on herself onto the window and the presence of two small children through the window, ties together her occupation as a nanny and her hobby which she took up in her spare time (photography). This image could not only represent ample reflection from a window, but reflection on her own life which consisted of her nanny duties. The image of the children through the winnow is particularly clear, whilst other elements such as her own reflection is fairly blurry. The fact that the image of the children can be seen so clearly may reflect the idea that working with children played a big part in her life. This is why I like this particular image because it shows deeper meaning and how Vivian has incorporated both of the main things within her life into one picture.