Vivian Maier As Inspiration



"Waiting" by Jim Watkins

Vivian Maier’s work was first brought to my attention a couple of years ago by my wife, Tricia Ransom.  Through one of her contacts on Twitter, Tricia had come across a blog featuring her work.  We both marveled at the beauty of those street images back then, but their importance escaped us and we pretty much forgot about them until a month or so ago.  That’s when the once-reclusive Vivian Maier suddenly became a household name all across the photographic world.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of John Maloof and his team, the enigmatic Ms. Maier is finally receiving her due.  And no one is benefitting more from that than we are.

I have always been a great admirer of the likes of Robert Frank, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks, Robert Doisneau, and Andre Kertesz among others.  Perhaps one day, when the breadth of her work can be fully brought to light and examined, Vivian Maier can take her place among them.  Her images seem to capture the essence of the subject and the mood of the time, delivering a true sense of place to me, the viewer.  In my mind, that’s the key to good street photography, an image that compels the viewer to stand in the photographer's shoes for that one moment, observing first hand that slice of someone's life.  If the image engages you to such an extent, you’re looking at a very good photograph.  Many of Vivian Maier’s images engaged me in such a way.

My photographic interests cross several genres: rural and urban landscapes; travel; public events; and nature, to name a few.  One of my favorites, though, has to be monochromatic street photography.  I had gotten away from it lately, as other types of photography occupied my attention.  But after attending the Vivian Maier opening at Chicago’s Cultural Center in January 2011, I knew I had to make street photography an important part of my shooting schedule once again.

I always saw street photography as a challenge for me, taking me way out of my comfort zone.  I always felt more comfortable capturing skyscrapers and mountains than the faces of strangers.  It is still that way for me, but I’m feeling more and more at ease in pointing the camera and capturing candid moments of people going about their everyday routines.  Over time, I’ve developed tricks where people are now unaware that I’m capturing them on pixels, even if they’re looking dead into the lens.  Vivian Maier, like all the great street photographers, makes it seem effortless.

Following are a few images taken by me after viewing the amazing Vivian Maier exhibit, understanding that John Maloof has only scratched the surface of her body of work.  One day, through John’s efforts, we’ll get to see it all.

"Monroe and Michigan..." by Jim Watkins

"Joy/Pain" by Jim Watkins


 

"Jeweler's Row, Chicago, Illinois" by Jim Watkins

  









"Argyle Street, Chicago" by Jim Watkins





"Tough (Jeweler's Row), Chicago" by Jim Watkins

"The Vet" by Jim Watkins

 

"The Ladies Wait" by Jim Watkins

"Snowfall (Grand Boulevard), Chicago" by Jim Watkins

"Tracks" by Jim Watkins

"Uptown" by Jim Watkins

"Untitled" by Jim Watkins

"The Window Washers" by Jim Watkins

"Turning" by Jim Watkins






"Uninterested" by Jim Watkins




"77 East..." by Jim Watkins



"Across the Boul Mich Bridge" by Jim Watkins



"On Broadway (Uptown)" by Jim Watkins

"The Runner" by Jim Watkins

"Fulton Market Workers" by Jim Watkins








"Tired" by Jim Watkins

"As the sun set between the buildings, this artist carried on..." by Jim Watkins






"Man with Pigeons"by Jim Watkins

 


"The Reader" by Jim Watkins




 


"The Drag" by Jim Watkins



"At 900 North Michigan" by Jim Watkins



"The Girl with the Red Umbrella" by Jim Watkins



"State and Madison" by Jim Watkins

Congratulations to Monika Thorpe!!



Award-Winning Photographer Monika Thorpe



Well, she did it!  Monika Thorpe

(www.monikathorpe.com) took home an Honorable Mention in the 3rd Annual Evolving Artists Exhibition at the Beverly Arts Center.  She was one of 9 of the 35 artists representing various art media to snag an award that evening.  Her amazing photo - "Burnham Bridge" - was one of the three entries she had in the show.  The winner was taken during a photo meetup we had back in November 2010 at the Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.

The event itself was a great time.  There were photographs, paintings, mixed media and more from the 35 artists represented.  And it was well attended too!  Among the attendees were Monika, her husband Alex Thorpe, Monika's parents and other family members.  Also, there were those of us from the Chicagoland and Northeastern Illinois Photo Meetup Group that were in attendance, including me, my lovely wife Tricia Ransom, Jonathan Lurie and his wife Pam, Anna Trivino, Mark Sliozis and his wife Danielle, and Duane Rapp.  Couldn't ask for a better night enjoying the wine, music, art, great conversation, and above it all, watching one of our own snagging that award!

Once again, congratulations to Monika Thorpe on doing so well in the competition, and believe me, the competition was stiff!  Make sure you visit her website and enjoy more of her amazing work.  We're lucky to have her in our group!

Monika Receiving Her Award





Monika Working the Room!



 

Monika, Mark, Alex, Danielle and Jonathan



A Sit Down with Chicago-Based Photographer Monika Thorpe.

Monika at the Capture My Chicago book
 launch party with Steve Baskerville of
Channel 2 News

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Monika Thorpe and her husband Alex for a talk about photography.  Monika will be participating in an exhibit here in Chicago at the Beverly Arts Center, "3rd Annual Evolving Artists Exhibition", with 35 other artists. The exhibit runs from December 27, 2010 through January 30, 2011 at the arts center, 2407 W. 111th Street.  An opening reception will be held there on January 8 from 7-9pm, with an awards ceremony at 8.  Should be a good time.  If you're in the area, come on out and join us!

We talked a little about the exhibit, as well as some other aspects of Monika's photography.  Here is the gist of our discussion.

1.    How did you get involved with the Evolving Artists exhibition?

I searched on the http://www.artdeadlines.com/ site and found an opportunity to submit images for this competition/exhibition.  Once I did, I was accepted.

2.    You’ve participated in at least one other exhibition that I know of.  Tell me about that and others you may have been involved in.

I have and will be involved in 3 exhibitions at the Mellwood Art Center in Louisville, KY; the SEE - Joining Community and Arts Generations Exhibit (June 18 - July 30, 2010); the KAS Gallery - Black & White Exhibit (October 29 - December 10, 2010); and the upcoming KAS Gallery - National All Mediums Art Show (February 4 - March 18, 2011).  I also showed at the Wallace Studios Open House back in April 2010.

3.    How did you get started in photography?

It started about 3 years ago during a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Although I had taken photos before, it was my first time seriously focusing on shooting.  I actually framed a few of the shots from there.  I just wanted to get better, so I kept at it.

4.    What’s your favorite photographic genre?

People consider me rather eclectic; I cover a wide range of genres.  I have been asked to do engagement photos, senior photos…

5.    What about around town?  What's your favorite local spot to shoot?

The lakefront; the skyline and the water are some of my favorite subject to shoot.  Coming from a totally different places, from Poland and the suburbs of Chicago, I fell in love with Chicago’s lakefront.

6.    You have your own website, monikathorpe.com.  Do you use it primarily to showcase your talents or promote a business?

Through my website, I want to be able to connect with other photographers.  A medium for collaboration, sharing, learning…that’s what I want to promote through the website.  It’s all about growing as a photographer, learning from others through feedback, helping each other out.  I’m learning from the critiquing – it opens up new ways of looking at things that I may not have thought about before.

7.    Where do you want to take your photography?

Not sure at this point.  I would like to own my own studio.

8.    By the way, congratulations once again for being selected for the Capture My Chicago book, and for having some of your images selected for the television version.  Had you been published before?

Capture My Chicago was my first real publication, although some of my work has been published in a calendar.

9.    What equipment do you use?  What don’t you have that you MUST have?

All Canon.  I’m using a standard 135 mm lens, a 50 mm prime lens, and a rarely used 300 mm lens, all on a 50D body. And I’m playing with the film camera now too!  I'm currently in need of a good wide angle lens.   

10.  What’s your dream shoot?  Why?

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  I’ve always wanted to shoot mountains, but it never worked out.

11.  Do you belong to any other photo organizations besides the Chicagoland and Northeastern Illinois Photo Meetup Group?

Chicago Photoshop

12.  Whose photography exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago would you absolutely NOT miss?

I know everybody says this, but Ansel Adams would be that photographer I would not miss.

Feel free to contact Monika through her website, www.monikathorpe.com, and maybe ask her questions of your own.  And while you're there, check out some of her work.  Like she said, she loves to hear comments and critiques - it's the best way to grow as a photographer!

Right: Monika leading the Montrose Harbor group meetup.