Finding Inspiration: Vivian Maier
Since I prefer to shoot outdoors using natural light, I usually spend the winter season bundled up indoors to edit and organize my photos ( all things not appealing on a nice summer day). Now that spring is slowly unfurling I'm getting eager to start ideas that I've been brainstorming over the winter.
At NSCAD it was easy to stay in a creative mindset. Considering other students work and getting feedback at critiques was so key in developing new ideas and aesthetics. Now that I'm no longer in that environment it's sometimes a struggle to stay motivated and focused with everyday distractions.
I was in a bit of a rut when a friend sent me a link to a news story about Vivian Maier. If you don't know the story about Vivian then Kate's earlier post on her will fill you in. Seeing this newly discovered work had a profound effect on me. I got excited. Like kid-at-Christmas excited. This eccentric French nanny was so diligent about this lifelong street photography series that her photographs have provided a valuable look into a Chicago of the past. Looking at her work and knowing how much more there is yet to see really revived my enthusiasm for taking portraits.
Visiting galleries, looking at books and photography blogs has become a indispensable tool for me to stay focused and passionate about photography. There are so many resources to feed you with a constant supply of interesting and beautiful viewpoints. It really is a great way to start the spring after a very long winter.
Here are some of my favorite photo blogs and web sites:
http://weliveyoung.blogspot.com
http://www.annamiadavidson.com/