Finding Vivian Meier

[Michael Graves]

I just watched this documentary on NetFlix. It is rare that I watch documentaries all the way through, but this one kept me rapt until the end. How many of us might end up like Vivian? Joel Meyerowitz and Mary Ellen Mark both provided outstanding commentary on Vivian's work. I was especially appreciative of Joel's comments about feeling photographs as much as seeing them. And how "discovering" a great artist only happens rarely. Check it out if you have the time.

[rich815]

I watched it on the plane a business trip to Dallas a few weeks ago. I have two books on her. Loved the movie. Her work is a nice inspiration.

[Tin Can]

Yes great movie, well done. Highly recommended.

I ran in the same places she did in Chicago, but of course never noticed her.

[Tracy Storer]

+1, a well done, if eccentric documentary about a talented, dedicated, and eccentric individual.

[Eric James]

On the one hand, she seems connected to people though her camera; but on the other, she seems separated from them by the same. I think eccentricity and great art often walk a lonely path.

Thanks for the movie tip.

[Alan Gales]

My wife and I watched it as well. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

I don't have the nerve to just run up on people and snap their picture like she sometimes did. She did excellent photography though.

[dodphotography]

Glad it finally made it to Netflix, enjoyed it.

She was quite the character.

[j.e.simmons]

Damn Vivian Meier. I used to shoot street photography with a TLR and got lots of candid shots because people had no idea the camera was a camera. I went out a few weeks ago, and my potential victims pointed and shouted "Oh, there's one of those funny cameras. I saw a movie about a woman who used one of those."

[Jac@stafford.net]

Are we going to misspell Vivian Maier's name forever?

[fishbulb]

She was quite the character.

And definitely controversial. Some parents I've talked to (who saw the movie) consider her cruel to the children and a villain.

Different times back then though. Corporal punishment was a lot more common than it is today. And like any nanny, there were some kids that loved her and some that hated her.