“I spent a great deal of my life being ignored. I was always very happy that way. Being ignored is a great privilege. That is how I think I learnt to see what others do not see and to react to situations differently. I simply looked at the world, not really prepared for anything.” Saul Leiter.

[photopress:2445053661_3bd0a1b3d1_o.jpg,full,centered] © Saul Leiter

The other day a package arrived from London. It was the Saul Leiter book “Reprint” by Steidl. After going through the Walker Evans book last week, the sense of the city was strong, gritty and in some ways, a sad reality.

[photopress:41OCY0EJ3SL._SS500_.jpg,full,centered]

Looking through this book tonight was a whole other reality.
By shooting the city with a painterly eye, and often using outdated film, Saul Leiter presents a view of the city from the subjects possible view.
The photographs felt oddly familiar to me as a photographer. There were subtle colors setting a scene with a mood that was honest. Not raw reality, but honest to a feeling, even weather wise
Rare is it that an image can translate the muggy feel,and the muted colors emphasizing the seasonal closeness of the city.

[photopress:2445053963_21ffe1ef04_o.jpg,full,centered] © Saul Leiter

The book came out last spring and was an immediate sellout. And with most photo books, other than an Annie Leibowitz, the runs are fairly limited. Could be a little tough to find. Like we said, ours came from the UK, and was less expensive than anywhere in the states.

I do urge you to find the book, learn about the photographer and enjoy a new vision from years ago.

These photographs were “re-discovered” by Mr. Leiter when he pulled them out in the 90′s and began printing them.

Small note: he was included by curator Edward Steichen in 2 shows on color photography at MOMA in the 50′s but he declined to be a part of the Family of Man exhibit when invited.
Last year he was honored with a show at Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson. yes, he is still with us at 84 years old.

Some books explore, others confirm, but this one stopped me in my tracks.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 11:19 pm and is filed under Photo News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.