Vivian Maier: Real-life Mary Poppins, Master Photographer

Leicarumors.com is one of the blogs I check on a regular basis. Its not like I have the money to buy a new one (yet) but I'm always interested to see new developments about the company (read: cheaper cameras). Aside from rumor-mongering, the site features really great videos and articles, predominantly on street photography. The other day they posted something this amazing story about Vivian Maier, a nanny from Chicago who, as it turns out, could be one of the greatest street photographers of the 20th century. Video and more after the break:

Great, no? Just goes to show how A.) there's so much great photography is out there, just outside our front doors, B.) it just takes a unique way of seeing things to get it on film and C.) anyone can do it. 

"But kuya, baka naman its her camera. Its vintage eh", my little sister says. My older sister asks: "how can you say her pictures are the greatest?" I said to both of them, just watch. When you see the pictures, you'll know. These are the pictures that you can't seem to put your finger on. You just stare. you look , and you look again. They're very old, but they don't get old. They're just... great.

Another street photographer used a great word: iconic. It was somwhere in the video in the following post. This video is the trailer for a movie I hope I get to see. Its called "Everybody Street" (detailed info on the movie here: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/photobooth/2010/09/everybody-street.html)

Here's the trailer:

And some really great clips... which are on vimeo so I can't upload them here (unless someone can show me how?) http://vimeo.com/14796162

As an ending note, I'd like to point out that even if street photography or documentary photography is categorically separated from other types of photography, like fashion for example, I think that the mindset it creates, "seeing clicks everywhere" is something that all photography enthusiasts should try to develop. It keeps your pictures fresh and unique, whether you're out on the street, in the wild, or in the studio.