Terri sent me the following links and I was so impressed that I wanted everyone to have the opportunity to see them.

These two links talk about, and show some of the works of Vivian Maier, a non-professional photographer and relatively unknown until now. As you view these I suggest that you consider the following:

Take in the impact of these photos. Some may not interest you but many show a snapshot of life, a piece of history. There's a human being full of history and emotion in each of those portraits.

Consider the facts that she was an amateur with, by today's standards, crude equipment.

Note that these are untouched, black-and-white photos without darkroom or software post processing.

Now compare yourself to her. Are you a professional? Is your equipment as good as hers? Do you have access to city streets? Is there anything she did that you can't do? Vivian obviously had a skill for composition but that can be learned. You too could be the next Vivian Maier.

And don't forget, most of those photos by Vivien Maier are portraits and there are portrait workshops and competitions coming up.

Glenn