Black-and-white self-portrait of Vivian Maier (1926–2009), the reclusive American street photographer whose vast archive of over 100,000 images was discovered posthumously and has since established her as one of the 20th century's most significant street photographers. She stands outdoors, gazing directly and intently at the camera with a serious, introspective expression. Her short, tousled hair frames her face, and she wears a plaid or checkered button-up shirt. She holds her signature twin-lens reflex Rolleiflex camera (a medium-format Rolleiflex with twin lenses and waist-level viewfinder) up to her eye, strap around her neck, composing the shot with quiet determination. The image captures her solitary, observant nature and technical skill, taken by Maier herself using a mirror, reflection, or self-timer technique common in her self-portraits.
Black-and-white street photograph by Vivian Maier, taken in New York City (likely Times Square or a bustling mid-century urban area, circa 1950s). The central subject is a young man (teen or early 20s) with tousled hair, wearing a casual collared shirt with rolled sleeves, dark trousers, and a belt, standing on a sidewalk. One pigeon is sitting on his left with a second pigeon caught in mid landing with wings extended upward. His expression is concentrated and almost reverent. In the background, large advertising billboards and signs loom prominently, including "SPAGHETTI Served Here" with a pasta illustration and "PLANTERS NUTS" (or similar), along with other marquees, pedestrians, and city details that evoke the vibrant, gritty energy of 1950s New York street life. Maier's signature empathetic eye for everyday human moments and urban textures shines through in this candid, compassionate capture.
Vivian Maier died #OTD in 2009.
She privately took >100,000 photos--only found when her unpaid storage contents were auctioned off. Posthumously, she became one of the 20th century’s greatest street photographers.
findingvivianmaier.com
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