Saturday, May 17, 2014

17 May 2014: Self-portraits, Boystown

I went to see the documentary Finding Vivian Maier at the Landmark Century this afternoon. I know that it's trite to say that we were inspired by this and that, but i honestly have been inspired by Vivian Maier's work, both her wonderful photographs that capture the power, beauty, and dignity of urban life and by her solemn self-portraits. What an odd and fascinating woman she must have been! I knew a little of her history, working as a nanny on the north shore, but i hadn't realized that she spent the last few years of her life here in Rogers Park until her death in 2009 (from the footage it looked like she lived up near Howard). 

Walking up Clark St. on my way back to the L, i decided to take a couple of self-portraits in honor of Vivian Maier. I'll never be as talented or prolific a photographer as she, but photography has enriched the way i see the world around me and the way i understand my own role within that world. 

Double self-portrait amidst the home decor

Self-portrait with Harley
(it's all in the details)

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I really want to see "Finding Vivian Maier." I have two photo collections of her work, "Street Photographer" and "Out of the Shadows," and both contain some stunning photographs. She really knew how to capture the drama of everyday life.