While he worked with a variety of lenses, Leiter was well known for often using a telephoto perspective, and particularly a 150mm lens. I simply looked at the world, not really prepared for anything.” That is how I think I learned to see what others do not see and to react to situations differently. “I spent a great deal of my life being ignored. While he became a successful fashion photographer, he continued to explore the streets of New York, printing some of his black and white photographs, but putting his color slides into boxes. However, after that, Leiter’s work faded from view. Leiter’s work was noticed by Edward Steichen, who included him in two MoMA shows in the 1950s.

“My father thought photography was done by lowlifes.” “My family was very unhappy about my becoming a photographer – profoundly and deeply unhappy.” With no formal training, he began exploring the streets of New York. Leiter was introduced to photography by the Expressionist painter, Richard Pousette-Dart, and while he began in black and white, in the 1950s he started to experiment with color photography at the time when the medium was in its early stages. He left theology school and at 23 moved to New York to pursue painting. Born in Pittsburgh in 1923, his father was a well-known rabbi and Talmudic scholar, and Leiter was encouraged to become a rabbi as well. Photography seemed to be an escape for Leiter. And I don’t think one should have to apologize for it.”

But I believe there is such a thing as a search for beauty – a delight in the nice things in the world. Looking through his work, cutting out all the distractions, you can feel the medium at its purest. This is simultaneously inspiring and relaxing. You can feel it in his work, a calm enjoyment for the hidden beauty in the world. When exploring the work of Saul Leiter and learning about his thoughts on photography, an aspect that shines through is that this was the work of a man who enjoyed photography for photography’s sake.

An Intro to Night City and Street Photography.Editing and Putting Together a Portfolio in Street Photography.The New York Photographer’s Travel Guide.Online Portfolio Reviews & Presentations.

Central Park Engagements, Proposals, Weddings.

Saul leiter prints