Vivian Maier Meaning Without Context

[Bob Carnie]

http://www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_exhibit_press_release.asp?ExhibitID=286

If you are in Toronto area you should drop by and see the show at Stephens gallery.

This was a Bucket List printing assignment for me and I hope I did her work justice.

Bob

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Wow Bob, you printed them? I'm sure you did well. I saw some her printed work in SF at Scott Nicols gallery. Were they difficult to print? Did you print them the old fashioned way with an enlarger?

 

[Bob Carnie]

Yes they were all enlarger prints on Ilford Warmtone Glossy.
I started slow and progressed through the images in no particular order. These images were from a long span of time, some I have seen Ron Gordon's prints , others were first
time printing.
I used a modified split printing method , which was very , helpful.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Yes they were all enlarger prints on Ilford Warmtone Glossy.
I started slow and progressed through the images in no particular order. These images were from a long span of time, some I have seen Ron Gordon's prints , others were first
time printing.
I used a modified split printing method , which was very , helpful.

Great! I just discovered split grade printing recently. Hard to break decades of printing habits that started in the 80's. I'm slowly adopting it. I'm sure the Vivian Maier prints will be treasuredby the buyers.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Wow Bob, I'm sure the prints are amazing. I would love to see the show as I really enjoy her work, and knowing that you printed the negs would be added bonus. Unfortunately I have no plans to be in Canada this summer.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

It must have been a great experience. Despite what some critics say, I believe that Maier's whole body of work is quite incredible.

 

[Toffle]

Fantastic, Bob! I'll be traversing the province to a family rebellion in the Ottawa Valley in August, so hopefully I can stop in.

 

[dasBlute]

Wish I could see the prints, I'm of the opinion that your work is exceptional, and that they'll do the work justice.

 

[HiHoSilver]

'Mostly bravo, Bob. You had to be out of your mind excited & working like a demon - and loving every sweaty bit of it. 'Hope the images are made available to those not able to attend.
'Without seeing them, 'grats on the project.

 

[Jeff L]

I'll stop in. Can't wait!

 

[Bob Carnie]

thank you all for your kind comments

I approached this project carefully and each day I print work I try to approach the scene appropriately.
I have been lucky to meet and friend Jeffrey Goldstein and his team , of Ron and Sandy , and in fact spent many hours with Ron talking about printing , photographers and basically lab rat type of conversations.
I also have been friends with Stephen and his wife Catherinefor over 25 years and we have worked on many projects with both of them over the years.
A staff member of mine, Maureen O Conner first introduced me to Vivian negatives when they were being offered on EBay, in fact she purchase 40 of the negatives before anyone knew of this story.
So I am very happy to be able to put my signature on the back of this project, I may never get another chance to do this , but I am very pleased that I was given this opportunity.
I will say this , I am very impressed with the neg strips I have seen as Vivian truly moved from one scene to another , not bracketing, or spending a lot of time on one scene. There is also one image that I am going to get as a Printer Proof, which is a scene of a picnic table with more photo chemicals (clayton) than I have in my darkroom and set on the bench is her shoes. It is a beautiful reminder that she did indeed take her craft seriously and did process a lot of her work.

'Mostly bravo, Bob. You had to be out of your mind excited & working like a demon - and loving every sweaty bit of it. 'Hope the images are made available to those not able to attend.
'Without seeing them, 'grats on the project.

 

[AgX]

What does "Bucket List printing" mean?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Amazing! I was told about this gallery by RFF member one week ago. So I'm trying to see the current exhibition, before this one start. And now after reading this thread I have to find out how to escape from work to Toronto twice for sure

 

[naeroscatu]

Congrats Bob, you should be very proud of contributing to this project. Will definitely go and check it out. Thanks for sharing

 

[Ed TLR]

There is also one image that I am going to get as a Printer Proof, which is a scene of a picnic table with more photo chemicals (clayton) than I have in my darkroom and set on the bench is her shoes. It is a beautiful reminder that she did indeed take her craft seriously and did process a lot of her work.

Hi Bob - congrats on being the one to do the printing! I have been fascinated by her work. Any way we can see the shot of the chemicals and her shoes? That sounds like one I would buy! Has it been displayed before in a gallery or online?

 

[MattKing]

What does "Bucket List printing" mean?

A "Bucket List" is a list of the things one wants to be sure to experience or accomplish before one dies. For example: https://bucketlist.org/featured/

 

[Bob Carnie]

Bucket List as Matt says is something I am very proud of doing, I wish my Dad was alive to witness this time he was very supportive of my photography choice in life .
I have a few other projects in mind... watch out for ENDURANCE this photo documentation project will blow people away.


I will post an image of the chemicals and shoe image when the formal print comes back to me from the gallery. It is something an APUGer would really like and maybe
see a bit of themselves in. We are a different breed working with these smelly chemicals.
This may be one of the images that are first printing, I will have to check.

 

[Tony Egan]

Thanks for sharing Bob. I've always found printing others' work, or for others, raises the bar and generates it's own energy and tenacity to produce the best and to never stop one print short of the best you can do! It's a shame I'm so far away.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hi Tony

thanks - I am pretty sure the Vivian Maier work will be brought to the world by the people overseeing the negatives. Stephen Bulger and Howard Greenburg are incredible guardians and
will make sure this work gets seen. Every one I have met with associated with this project are keen photography enthusiasts . I am sure Sydney will have its show some day in the future.

Bob

 

[removed account4]

good luck with the show bob !
i wish i could see the images,
your printing i am certain
did her justice !
john

 

[Bob Carnie]

thanks John

 

[Dinesh]

Great stuff Bob.

 

[CMoore]

Impressive.!
If there is a "spirit" that lives on after a body dies, I hope she Likes/Understands what has become of her name and film.

Count me as another that has enjoyed (my very limited) viewing her photos.
There are a whole bunch that I like...one that comes to mind at present, is of a blonde woman, seems to be walking away from camera, maybe in a white coat, kind of at night, near a street corner, and a little out of focus, or maybe some blur from a slower shutter speed.?
Anyway...if you are familiar with her stuff, you will know the one I am thinking of.
Some great stuff.

Must be an "interesting" feeling you get when printing from negatives born of such special circumstances. To say her situation (and yours for that matter) is unique, would be a classic understatement.
Well Done

 

[Bob Carnie]

Thank you C Moore.

I was talking with the Stephen about Vivian, and we both agreed that we both have met, known , and still know people in our field who's life is quite unique. In fact there is
a known photographer who for the last few years has been walking the streets with no film in his camera. I talk above about the image of darkroom chemicals, wow , how many here
could be called up on hording darkroom materials that never or rarely get used. Vivian it seemed was very dedicated to exposing and processing her daily work.
Yes it is an "interesting" feeling and a good observation on your part.


Bob

 

[MattKing]

Bob:

How important is it to you as a printer that you are unable to consult with the creator of the negatives you are printing?