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DPC posted in the group Daily Photo Digest
Vivian Maier. Chicago, 1975
Photo Credit: Vivian Maier Official Website
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We couldn’t close our series on Vivian Maier without showcasing some of her remarkable colour photographs. In the 1970s and 80s, while continuing her work as a nanny in Chicago’s suburbs, Maier transitioned to colour photography. Like many of her contemporaries, she preferred Kodachrome film, renowned for its vivid tones and rich saturation, which perfectly suited her talent for capturing fleeting candid moments.This photograph is a masterful example of Maier’s instinct for timing and composition. Three unrelated people, all dressed in striking yellow outfits, come together to create a scene that feels almost staged. The vibrant yellow unifies the subjects while contrasting beautifully with the muted tones of the cars and architecture in the background, making the colour pop. The subjects are spaced evenly, creating visual harmony and guiding the viewer’s eye naturally across the frame.
The image carries a playful and surreal quality. The man on the left, leaning forward and looking out of the frame, adds an intriguing narrative element—what has caught his attention? This subtle inclusion invites curiosity and gives the scene a sense of spontaneity or even surrealism. Meanwhile, the mundane urban setting transforms into a canvas where colour and coincidence take centre stage.
Maier’s transition to colour photography allowed her to explore a new dimension of storytelling. Here, colour doesn’t just complement the image—it is the story, elevating an otherwise ordinary scene into something humorous, poetic, and deeply human.
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Challenge for Photographers
Explore how colour can become the focal point of your photography. Look for quirky coincidences, harmonised colour palettes, or unexpected contrasts that transform everyday scenes into captivating narratives. Share your colour-filled stories with us—how does colour enhance the mood and meaning of your images?—
#VivianMaier #MastersOfPhotography #StreetPhotography #Kodachrome #PhotoDigest #PhotographyChallenge
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