Al Kaplan

[v_willendorf]

<p>(I'm posting here because if I remember correctly, the Leica Forum is where Al Kaplan used to post.)</p>

<p>I thought friends of Al Kaplan might enjoy this.<br>

<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-18563_162-10010601-2.html?tag=img">http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-18563_162-10010601-2.html?tag=img</a></p>

[steve_bellayr]

<p>I have the book but am still awaiting the DVD. The book is excellent but I wish it was larger to include more photographs. </p>

[Robin Smith]

<p>Sorry, but what was the connection with Al Kaplan?</p>

[dave_s]

<p>The connection is presumably that she took self-portraits, and the late Mr Kaplan also took self-portraits. </p>

<p>There are several photo.net threads on Ms Maier, if anyone wants to read more about her. She was an accomplished but unheralded street photographer.</p>

[Robin Smith]

<p>Thanks. Somewhat tenuous link, but interesting nevertheless.</p>

[john_r._fulton_jr.]

<p>'Seems to me a thread titled "Al Kaplan" should be about the late Al Kaplan. OTH, perhaps it is.</p>

[Troll]

<p>Lots of PR lately about Ms. Maier. Personally, I don't see a anything special about her work. Not even close to being in the same class as a Lange, or Levitt, or Welty.</p>

[paul_neuthaler]

<p>Al, relax. Not about you. Paul.</p><div></div>

[Robin Smith]

<p>I agree that Maier shots do not seem so fascinating to me. The "angle" seems to be the amazing fact that one can be a nanny,.. and yet still enjoy photography! ! Somehow people find it interesting that she could have a second life as a photographer. I'm not sure why this is so special: this applies to all of us. They're not bad and an interesting time capsule, but I'm not sure they are worthy of all the fuss.</p>

[ray .]

Bill and Robin, you should take a look at her photographs in the book that's out. The richness of the

prints doesn't show up online. I agree that a few of the photographs aren't great, but that's an editing

issue. Her work is worthy of the coverage it's gotten IMO. Part of that is that it was undiscovered, but it's

good work, and it describes well the era.

[ray .]

(double post)

[Robin Smith]

<p>Ok Ray, I am sure you are correct. I only can comment on what I have seen to date. Often online images are a poor substitute too.</p>

[baisao]

<p>Perhaps it is a matter of which shots have been released and in what media.</p>

<p>Some of the Maier shots that I've seen are exceptionally well composed and have something to them that makes my jaw drop. Many that I've seen are confrontational: the photographer interacting with the subject in a way that the subjects look concerned, even stalked. I dislike these kinds of photographs, no matter the photographer. Still others do not touch me at all.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, what I've seen is good enough that I'd be a very happy person to have a fraction of her talent.</p>

<p>Regarding her life as a nanny: I don't find that interesting in the least. I find her war years in Europe more fascinating because I know nothing about her experiences there during that tumultuous time. Reading Roman Vishniac's travails as a photojournalist in mid-30s Eastern Europe, I shudder to think how her life was during this time.</p>

[bms]

<p>I have seen better from her elsewhere - not sure I am a fan of the "fragmented" self portraits... it's pretty cliche..</p>

[Ian Taylor]

<p>Photographically, there is no logical connection between these two people. </p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Maier's photos, especially her self portraits, are remarkable when considered within the context of her life and the era in which she lived. Absent that context, you might as well be looking at a meme image macro without having any sense of the zeitgeist inherent to such pop culture references. Maier speaks to a specific niche and her message comes across very clearly to me. If you want to understand a language, immerse yourself in it and the culture.</p>

<p>Al Kaplan's self portraiture reflected a more sociable, gregarious nature, very different from the sense of quiet desperation to have mattered in life implied in some of Maier's self portraits.</p>

[chuck_albertson1]

<p>(A tip of the wine glass to Al, who is sorely missed around here.)</p>

<p>I really liked Vivian Maier's photos in the book, and I'm really looking forward to the exhibition at Photo Center NW in Jan/Feb.</p>

[steve deer]

<p>It's funny how people see things differently... I find those images superb!</p>

[mark_amos]

<p>I have nothing to contribute to the thread other than I remember and enjoyed Al, and Al Kaplan, rest in peace.</p>

[bobmichaels]

<p>you mean this Al Kaplan?</p>

[bobmichaels]

<p>forgot to attach phots</p><div></div>

[michaelmarcus]

I discovered V. Meier's work last week, in a bookstore, and was astonished. Why is her work being

discussed in this thread dedicated to someone else? (Also, she may have used cameras other

than Rollieflex, perhaps Leica, but is that known for certain?)

[yuri_yupiter3]

<p>Both Meier and Al used self portraits. </p>

[DB_Gallery]

<p>Who here has one of his "Silver is Better" coffee mugs?<br>

I do....because it is....</p>