Recently the main visual research I have done is looking at how contemporary photographers have changed their practice due to the lockdown. Although this has been really helpful in seeing how others have overcome the social distancing and how I can improve my work, I think now I need to focus on photographers work who inspires me.
I have always liked Vivian Maier’s work. She took a lot of self portraits through reflection and now that is quite influential to my work.
This is favourite of her work. I have always like the way the reflection adds depth and it takes a while to work out what is reflection and what isn’t. The reflection almost distorts the image, as there is a second outline of her. She also stands out from the reflection as she is in sharp focus, whereas the background is slightly blurry.
Maier photographed mainly people and architecture in Chicago, New York and LA. Her life seemed private and secretive, yet her self portraits seem so much more personal. They show places and things she encounters in her days. They leave a lot to the viewers interpretation as there is not a lot of indication about where she is.
She uses reflection in different ways to what I have got used to doing. For example the left image. The use of angles has created a more intriguing image. The right photo, she has used the reflection to make more interesting perspective. Her silhouetted reflection towers over the figures inside. I like this one as the people inside look tiny compared to the large cars and buildings outside.
Maier has used reflection to document herself as she goes through her walks through the city. It makes them more interesting as you sometimes have to spend a bit longer at them to work out what is going on. This fits well with her secretive and private personality. What I have learnt from Vivian Maier’s work is how effective using reflection can be. Before this project I had not thought of it much. Now that I have, I realise how much it can add to a portrait.
Lucy Davis 