The beginning.
They reflect the photographer's love for painting, expired film, blur, and "unique" composition. Due to his remarkable modesty and fear of fame, Saul only showed his color photographs at the age of 77, when he faced financial difficulties.
His photographs are photo abstractions
They reflect the photographer's love for painting, expired film, blur, and "unique" composition. Due to his remarkable modesty and fear of fame, Saul only showed his color photographs at the age of 77, when he faced financial difficulties. photographs at the age of 77, whe he
In New York, Saul Leiter met abstract artist Richard Pousette-Dart and photographer W. Eugene Smith. It was they who "infected" him with photographic art and greatly influenced his style: Eugene gave the future photographer a Contax 33mm camera, while Richard introduced Saul to the world of abstract expressionism.
Saul was born in 1923. At the age of 12, he began studying theology and eventually enrolled in a seminary. Around this time, he became interested in painting. A conflict with his father began after purchasing his first tubes of paint. In his father's view, only failures with questionable lifestyles pursued painting. At 23, after another argument with his father, Saul packed his suitcase and ran away from home to New York.
From Painter to Photographer
Saul's style sharply contrasted with other photographers
He shot from unconventional angles, photographed through fogged-up windows, loved playing with shadows, reflections, and silhouettes. Fog, rain, and snowstorms were his best assistants, turning photography into an abstract image.
He shot from unconventional angles, photographed through fogged-up windows, loved playing with shadows, reflections, and silhouettes. Fog, rain, and snowstorms were his best assistants, turning photography into an abstract image.
From Black-and-White to Color Photography
Saul felt that color could convey more. So he bought expired film and went to photograph the streets of New York. He photographed only for himself. Leiter rarely printed his color photographs, occasionally showing them to friends through a projector.
In the 1950s, color film wasn't used for two reasons. First, it was expensive. Second, color photographs were associated with bright advertising images, so using color film was considered tacky.
Saul never used editing software, but he manually processed some photographs using gouache. The photographer deliberately left paint spots on the film and added colors to printed photos.
In the mid-20th century, photographers preferred horizontal formats. Saul brought his own vision here too. Leiter almost always shot vertically. This format reminded him of Japanese painting, which he admired since childhood. Later, it became one of the distinguishing features of his work.
Saul often photographed the main objects out of focus, while secondary things were captured in focus. Such photographs seem incorrect but are impossible to glance at briefly. They attract the gaze and make you look longer.
Shooting through a window, tree leaves, a hole in a fence, or even through a crowd while focusing on one object makes you feel like you're secretly observing city life or a specific object. This is Leiter's favorite "trick" that sparks interest and curiosity in the viewer.
4. Processing Photographs
3. Experimenting with Formats
2. Playing with Focus
1. Photographing Through
4 Rules of Saul Leiter
Saul Leiter
"Photography allows you to learn how to look and see You begin to notice things you've never paid attention to before"
The end.
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The site was created as part of the training course «Tilda PRO»
and is not commercial
and is not commercial
Katsiaryna Zhalnerchyk
The designer of the longride
