Saul Leiter
Saul Leiter (1923-2013) was an American photographer and painter, best known for his pioneering work in color street photography. His distinctive style, characterized by the use of color, abstraction, and an emphasis on the beauty of everyday moments, has made him a revered figure in the world of photography.
Early Life and Career
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Leiter originally pursued a career in the rabbinate, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a rabbi and scholar. However, his passion for the arts led him to abandon his religious studies and move to New York City in the late 1940s. There, he became part of the New York School of Photography, alongside photographers like Robert Frank and Diane Arbus.
Leiter's work was first published in Life magazine, and soon after, he became a successful fashion photographer, working for magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. Despite his commercial success, he continued to pursue his love for street photography, capturing the essence of New York City's streets through his unique lens.
Photographic Style and Techniques
Saul Leiter's photographic style is often described as poetic and painterly. He had a keen eye for color and composition, using these elements to create images that evoke an emotional response. His photos often featured reflections, shadows, and blurred subjects, giving them a dreamlike quality.
Leiter was known for shooting through windows or using other objects to frame his subjects, resulting in abstract and layered images. He also made extensive use of overexposure and deliberate soft focus to create a painterly effect in his photographs.
Career Highlights
Some of Saul Leiter's most iconic images were taken during the 1950s and 1960s, a period when color photography was still considered inferior to black-and-white. Despite this, his work was included in the groundbreaking exhibition "The Family of Man" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1955, which showcased the best in photography from around the world.
In 2006, a major retrospective of Leiter's work was held at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris. This exhibition helped to solidify his status as a key figure in the history of photography and brought his work to a wider audience.
Photography Gear
Leica M-series rangefinder cameras
Kodachrome and Ektachrome color slide films
Published Photo Books
"Early Color" (2006) by Saul Leiter: This book showcases a collection of Saul Leiter's early color photographs from the 1940s and 1950s. These images, characterized by their unique use of color and composition, helped redefine the genre of street photography and solidified Leiter's reputation as a pioneer in the field.
"Early Black and White" (2014) by Saul Leiter: This volume features a selection of Leiter's black and white photographs from the same period as his early color work. The images reveal Leiter's mastery of composition, light, and shadow, offering a different perspective on his photographic style and the streets of New York City.
"Saul Leiter: Retrospektive" (2012): This retrospective book offers a comprehensive overview of Saul Leiter's career, featuring both his color and black and white photographs. The collection provides insight into Leiter's creative process and his enduring influence on the world of photography.
"In My Room" (2017) by Saul Leiter: This intimate collection features photographs taken by Leiter in his New York City apartment, capturing the private world of the artist and his muses. The images reveal a more personal side of Leiter's work, showcasing his ability to find beauty and inspiration in the everyday.
"All About Saul Leiter" (2017): This book offers an in-depth look at the life and career of Saul Leiter, featuring a selection of his most iconic images, as well as interviews, essays, and personal reflections from those who knew him best. The book provides a comprehensive portrait of the man behind the camera and his lasting impact on photography.
"Forever Saul Leiter": This collection celebrates the work of Saul Leiter, showcasing a range of his photographs, including street scenes, portraits, and abstract compositions. The book highlights Leiter's unique visual style and his ability to find beauty in unexpected places.
Quotes
"I don't have a philosophy. I have a camera."
"A window covered with raindrops interests me more than a photograph of a famous person."
"I believe there is such a thing as a search for beauty."
"Seeing is a neglected enterprise."
"I like it when one is not certain what one sees. When we do not know why the photographer has taken a picture and when we do not know why we are looking at it, all of a sudden we discover something that we start seeing. I like this confusion."
Legacy and Influence
Saul Leiter's innovative approach to color photography and his ability to find beauty in the mundane have left a lasting impact on the world of street photography. His work has inspired countless photographers, and his contribution to the development of color photography as a serious art form cannot be overstated.
Other notable photographers with similar styles are William Eggleston, Ernst Haas, Alex Webb, and Helen Levitt. These photographers, like Leiter, have been known to explore color, abstraction, and the poetics of everyday life in their street photography.
Saul Leiter might be one of the most underappreciated masters in the history of photography. His lens brought a fresh perspective to the everyday, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.