Saul Leiter – Brief Introduction

Saul Leiter (1923–2013) was a pioneering American photographer and painter associated with the New York School of photography. Though he started as a painter, he became known for his groundbreaking color street photography in the 1940s and 1950s—decades before color was widely accepted in fine art photography.

Use of Colour

Leiter’s signature style lies in his delicate, painterly use of color. He embraced muted tones, reflections, shadows, and soft focus, creating almost abstract compositions. His palette often consists of reds, yellows, and browns that feel nostalgic and cinematic.

Techniques

Leiter employed techniques such as:

• Shooting through windows, glass, or veils of fog.
• Cropping subjects unexpectedly.
• Focusing on partial views, often obscured.
• Using reflections and layering to flatten space.

These techniques gave his photos a sense of mystery, mood, and quiet emotion, blurring the line between photography and painting.

Why It Can Be Inspirational

His work shows how everyday urban scenes can be transformed into poetic visual moments. Leiter found beauty in the overlooked—rainy streets, blurred figures, or an umbrella against a glowing city. His photos encourage viewers to slow down and see the world differently.

Why You Might Like This Set

You might be drawn to the cinematic feel, the emotional quietness, and the thoughtful use of color and composition. These images evoke mood more than narrative, making them open to personal interpretation and emotional response.

Influences Behind This Set

This set of photos is influenced by:

• Leiter’s background in painting, especially abstract expressionism.
• Japanese aesthetics (especially in the use of negative space and subtle beauty).
• The urban environment of New York in the mid-20th century.
• Modernist photography and the visual language of cinema.

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