Street photography with an old Rolleiflex

[SuzanneR]

Here's an article that gets a little more detailed than most, though the dismissive critique from some curator feels a little premature, considering there are still so many pictures of hers to review. I think by the time it's said and done, she may well have found a place in the history of photography books.

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Ma...-Photographer/

[Andrew Horodysky]

Thanks for sharing the article.

I find it a fascinating detective story. I hope Maloof and his Columbia College friend actually get their documentary produced (they probably need to pitch the right writers/filmmakers for this, and not try to do it all themselves). As for Colin Westerbeck, I completely agree that his quick judgmental assessment of Maier -- as a mere "participant" in her photography -- is without full merit. Her entire archive is yet to be studied and assessed historically, culturally, and aesthetically, within the social arena of the medium. This does, in the end, present itself as the ideal, turn-key doctoral dissertation... and monograph.

[Colin Corneau]

I can't help but wonder what made her so aloof, what drove her to such a solitary existence.

There's nothing wrong with that, of course. And maybe it's almost a prerequisite to producing truly stellar work on a whole other level. I just can't shake the vague feeling she used photography as a way to distance herself from other human beings, somehow.

I also think her work, even the small amount examined thus far, is going to prove itself easily over the coming years. She'll be right up there, or should be.

[dpurdy]

I can't help but wonder what made her so aloof, what drove her to such a solitary existence.

There's nothing wrong with that, of course. And maybe it's almost a prerequisite to producing truly stellar work on a whole other level. I just can't shake the vague feeling she used photography as a way to distance herself from other human beings, somehow.

I also think her work, even the small amount examined thus far, is going to prove itself easily over the coming years. She'll be right up there, or should be.

From what I have read I don't think there is any reason to think she held herself aloof. I think more likely she was shy, though in her obituary written before her discovery she was referred to as a photographer extrordinare. Also I would say that the photos she made don't look like those of a distanced person. Also consider there was some 600 rolls un processed. This along with her job as a nanny would indicate she was pretty impoverished. It just seems to me that she was very gifted in sight and technique.
Dennis

[Paul Verizzo]

My grandfather was an early adapter of the Rollei TLR. Some of his photos appeared in the 1930's Rollei magazine. My father, also professional, bought a Tessar Rollei in the early 50's. I have it, and it still works well. I don't use it much but I just sorta love the now archaic format.

As sort of noted, press photographers would often lift the camera overhead and look up into the ground glass screen.

I love TLR's!

[Colin Corneau]

I mean no slight against a person clearly more talented than myself. I should say I base my thought on a few exerpts I read off of the blog in her name...she was outspoken but clearly kept others at a distance.

That can just be a personality trait, or...who knows? I'm not sure that, at this stage, it even matters. What's left are the pictures. And they speak very well.

She sounded like a very interesting but private person. A prototype feminist, clearly very intelligent. It would be fascinating to go into a time machine, go back and have a conversation with her. Apparently she taught herself English from seeing the movies, which she was a big fan of (foreign films, not so much the American Hollywood stuff).

[blockend]

Absolutely top drawer art photography. A great find and a big responsibility for the finder.

[burchyk]

great find, lovely photos, amazing story

[kiku]

[QUOTE=Paul Verizzo;1112506i... it, and it still works well. I don't use it much but I just sorta love the now archaic format....

I love TLR's![/QUOTE]

I would not consider 6 X 6 on 120 film an archaic format. Howard Tanger

[eddym]

I would not consider 6 X 6 on 120 film an archaic format. Howard Tanger

Me neither... but then, I'm pretty archaic myself.