The Photography of Saul Leiter

Photographs by Saul Leiter

Saul's photography hardly needs any introduction. His published works provide ample evidence of his immense talent. He constantly carried a camera when I knew him. Sometimes in exasperation, perhaps from distraction, he would accidentally leave them in a restaurant or cab. When I worked with him I learned to always check for the camera in our travels about New York. When he did his commercial work, he generally preferred to use a Leica M4, occasionally a Rollie 6x6. In the street, he used a series of cameras: Canon A1, Leica CL, Minox EL, Olympus XA, and later, numerous digital SLR and pocket cameras. Saul owned many many cameras. He was very fond of cameras - one could say, excessively fond of cameras. When some new camera came along, especially if it was smaller and lighter, he would often purchase one and experiment with it.

Saul would sometimes give me things to print in black & white and color. When I had a darkroom, I did some traditional silver prints for him but not many. He either printed black & white prints himself or had a commercial lab do them. In the last ten years of his life I did many digital pigment prints for him. He liked pigment prints and signed many of them for me, an indication of his approval. He could be difficult to print for because, very often, the original condition of a slide or negative was poor, sometimes very poor, requiring extensive retouching. It was not unusual for him to give me slides that were badly faded or completely pink (faded yellow/cyan layers). Additionally, he would often give minimal printing instructions leaving one to sort things out for oneself. Saul sometimes had definite ideas about an image but more often loved seeing images printed in a variety of ways. He was unconventional in printing, sometimes leaving the negative stage to show in the final image (as seen in the first two images of Eugene Smith). He liked writing on the front and backs of his prints. His script, while beautiful to look at, was more a form of indeciperable cuneiform that was sometimes impossible to read.

Black & White

Saul Leiter Photograph of Eugene Smith, circa 1977

Silver Print, Eugene Smith, 23rd St. NYC, circa 1977:"Eugene Smith Leaving for Arizona the last time.", 10x8 inches

Silver Print, Eugene Smith

Photograph, Eugene Smith:"Eugene back from Spain", 8x10 inches

Photograph, Eugene Smith

Silver Print, Shoe, 30x18 inches

Silver Print on poster board, Shoe

Saul Leiter Photograph, Contact of Kim 1947?

Silver Print (Contact Print), Kim 1947?, Used in The New York School, Jane Livingston, 3x4.75 inches

Silver Print, Kim 1947?

Saul Leiter Photograph, Kim with Cup 1947

Photograph, Kim with Cup, 1947: "for Alan, Kim with Cup, 1947, it is the only one in this size, most definitely vintage, no restoration necessary." 3.5.5.5 inches

Silver Print, Kim with Cup

Silver Print, 1967 Topless: "Her name was Hedi. She was studying law. She wanted she said to help the poor and - the underprivileged - And old people too." 3.5x5.5 inches

Silver Print, 1967 Topless

Pigment Print, Barbara & Marge, 10x8 inches

Pigment Print, Barbara & Marge

Silver Print, Doorman:"Print I made early, very early, never painted" 8x10 inches

Silver Print, Doorman

Silver Print, NY Cart, "Late Forties, New York before decline. I am rather fond of this one. A later print of one faded a lot."

Silver Print, NY Cart

Silver Print, Untitled, "I made from Graflex, circa Late 40's?" 14x11 inches

Silver Print, Untitled

Silver Print, Jane Fonda: "Jane Fonda from a story on her from Esquire, Early 60's, Vintage Print"

Silver Print, Jane Fonda

Silver Print, Untitled, "This print has not been received well but I don't care. Think of it as delayed vintage..." 14x11 inches

Silver Print,Untitled

Silver Print, The Visit 1947, Inez, 6.5x8.5 inches

Silver Print, The Visit 1947

Saul Leiter Photograph, John Gundelfingers' Student

Pigment Print of John Gundelfingers' Student

Pigment Print, John's Student

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Dottie

Pigment Print, Flower (Self Portrait) 1952

Pigment Print, Flower 1952

Pigment Print, Girl 50's, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Girl 50's

Pigment Print, Untitled 50's

Silver Print, Mexico early 60's

Silver Print, Mexico Early 60's

Saul Leiter Photograph, Contact Sheet of Diane Arbus

Pigment Print, Diane Arbus Contact, Edition of 5, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Diane Arbus Contact

Photograph, "Lynn Sleeping 1973", 10x8 inches

Silver Print, Lynn Sleeping 1973

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver, 14x11 inches

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver

Pigment Print, Soames Bantry, 11x14 inches

Pigment Print, Soames Bantry

Photograph, Dottie

Silver Print, Dottie

Photograph, Dottie

Silver Print, Dottie

Saul Leiter Photograph, Ireland 60's Early

Silver Print, Ireland 60's Early, 6.5x8.5 inches

Silver Print, Ireland 60's Early

Silver Print, Halloween Brooklyn, early 50's

Silver Print, Halloween

Pigment Print, Safety Pins (B&W version), 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Safety Pins

Photograph, Inez, Young Lady at Rest, 7x5 inches

Silver Print, Inez

Photograph, Soames: "Saul for Alan. Soames and her precious cat, for Alan whom she loved even though it was not always apparent. She really did." 7x5 inches

Silver Print, Soames

Pigment Photograph, " This is me, a long time ago, written with my Namiki, Unfortunately the nib is wide, drat'd" 3.5x5 inches

Pigment Print, Saul Leiter

Pigment Print Photograph, Sophia Loren

Pigment Print, Sophia Loren

Memorial Cards for Soames (Pigment prints), died October 9, 2001, 2.75x3.75 inches

Memorial Cards for Soames

Photograph, Untitled

Silver Print, Untitled

Photograph, Untitled, 5x7 inches

Silver Print, Untitled

Photograph, Untitled

Silver Print, Untitled

Saul Leiter Photograph of George Porter MD

Silver Print of George Porter MD, father of Alan Porter, circa 1984, 8.5x6.5 inches

Silver Print, George Porter MD

Saul Leiter Photograph of Alan Porter, circa 1977

Silver Print, Alan Porter, circa 1977: "Alan after a long day immersed in bitterness", 10x8 inches

Silver Print, Alan Porter

Silver Print of Alan Porter used as postcard circa 1977, mailed 2008, "Have you seen this fella recently, yes, no.", 5x7 inches

Silver Print, Alan Porter

Silver Print, Alan Porter in Saul's Studio, circa 1977, 11x14 inches

Silver Print, Alan Porter

Silver Print, Alan Porter at the 2nd Ave Delicatessen, circa 1977,"Alan knows when this was taken." 14x11 inches

Silver Print, Alan Porter

Silver Print Fragment, Alan Porter, circa 1977, 3x3.5 inches

Silver Print, Alan Porter

Silver Print Fragment (unsigned), Eugene Smith, 23rd St. NYC, circa 1977, 2x2 inches

Silver Print, Eugene Smith

Magazine Ad with Saul Leiter discovered by Tony Cenicola, 8.5x11 inches

Magazine Ad with Saul Leiter

Pigment Print, Wolf Leiter,"This may be my oldest photograph. Alan's print is a miracle from a hopelessly damaged marred but cherished negative. " 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Wolf Leiter

Pigment Print, Wolf Leiter, "My Father", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Wolf Leiter

Color

Pigment Print, Cadillac 58, 14x11, 19x13 inches

Pigment Print, Cadillac 58

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Couple on Grass

Pigment Print, Couple on Grass, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Couple on Grass

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Blue Skirt

Pigment Print, Blue Skirt 50's, 19x13 inches

Pigment Print, Blue Skirt 50's

Pigment Print, Purple Umbrella 50's, 19x13 inches

Pigment Print, Purple Umbrella 50's

Pigment Print, Window, "Alans masterful restoration of a most pathetic slide", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Window

Ilfochrome Print, Window, 14x11 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Window

Pigment Print, Window, 11x14 inches

Pigment Print, Window

Pigment Print, Trunks, 11x14 inches

Pigment Print, Trunks

Pigment Print, Untitled, 11x14 inches

Pigment Print, Untitled

Pigment Print, Umbrella, "Early, perhaps late fories", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, umbrella, c. 40's

Pigment Print, Rome 1959, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Rome 1959

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Red Umbrella 1957

Pigment Print, Red Umbrella 1957, 11x15 inches

Pigment Print, Red Umbrella 1957

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Don't Walk 1952

Pigment Print, Don't Walk 1952, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Don't Walk 1952

Pigment Print, Man Painting Door, 50's, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Man Painting Door, c. 50's

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Chauffeur, 1955

Pigment Print, Chauffeur, 1955, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Chauffeur, 1955

Pigment Print, "New York, One of Series, 50's 60's?", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, New York

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Snow Scene 58

Pigment Print, Snow Scene 58, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Snow Scene 58

Photograph, Digital, 2005, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Digital, 2005

Pigment Print, Horse

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Horse in Snow

Pigment Print, Horse in Snow,"Dottie would have known date. Horse in Snow Vermont", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Horse in Snow

Pigment Print, Horses, Italy, 8.5x11, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Horses, Italy

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Horse & Cart

Pigment Print, Horse & Cart, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Horse & Cart

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Barbar Pole in Snow

Pigment Print, Barbar Pole in Snow, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Barbar Pole in Snow

Pigment Print, Window, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Window

Pigment Print, Snowstorm, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Snowstorm

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Quiet Conversation

Pigment Print, Quiet Conversation, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Quiet Conversation

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Mannequin at Night

Pigment Print, Mannequin at Night, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Mannequin at Night

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Ticket Booth

Pigment Print, Ticket Booth, "From Sophia Loren Story, Ticket Booth", 8.5x11, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Ticket Booth

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Somewhere?

Pigment Print, "Somewhere? 50's", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Somewhere? 50's

Fuji Print, Taxi 1956, 11x14 inches

Fuji Print, Taxi 1956

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Man Walking

Pigment Print, Man Walking, "Corporate Downsizing", 13x19, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Man Walking

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, The Shopper

Pigment Print, The Shopper, 11x14, 13x19, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, The Shopper

Pigment Print, Violinist, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Violinist

Ilfochrome Print,Elevated Series,"Never printed until now" 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Elevated Series

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Snow Scene 50's

Ilfochrome Print, Snow Scene 50's, 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Snow Scene 50's

Pigment Print, Old Door, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Old Door

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Window Dressers

Pigment Print, Window Dressers

Fuji Print, Haircut, 7.25x10 inches

Fuji Print, Haircut

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Safety Pins

Pigment Print, Safety Pins (Color version), 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Safety Pins

Pigment Print, Violinist, "From the Violinist Series", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Violinist

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Man and Mirror

Pigment Print, Man and Mirror, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Man and Mirror

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Harlem 1960

Ilfochrome Print, Harlem 1960, 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Harlem 1960

Ilfochrome Print, Snow 1960

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Times Square at Night

Pigment Print, Times Square at Night, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Times Square at Night

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Man Waiting for Streetcar

Pigment Print, Man Waiting for Streetcar, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Man Waiting for Streetcar

Ilfochrome Print, Man on Ladder, 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Man on Ladder

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Postman 1952

Ilfochrome Print, Postman 1952, 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Postman 1952

Pigment Print, Ladies circa 1948, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Ladies circa 1948

Pigment Print, Cracks

Ilfochrome Print, Cracks, "For Alan and Elaine" 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Cracks

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Parade 1954

Fuji Print, Parade 1954, 11x14 inches

Fuji Print, Parade 1954

Ilfochrome Print, 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print

Ilfochrome Print, Worker circa 1956, 11x14 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Worker circa 1956

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Foot on El

Pigment Print, Foot on El, 54, 11x15 inches

Pigment Print, Foot on El, 54

Pigment Print, Untitled 11x15 inches

Pigment Print, Untitled

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Waiter, Paris

Ilfochrome Print & Pigmint Print, Waiter Paris, 1959,"Very Fine Print", 11x14, 8.5x11 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Waiter, Paris, 1959

Pigment Print

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Parisian Woman

Pigment Print, Parisian Woman, "damaged by someone at Philip's plance, Paris", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Parisian Woman, 59

Pigment Print, Dottie, "Fire Island", 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Dottie

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Lanesville 1958

Pigment Print, Lanesville 1958

Ilfochrome Print, Lanesville 1958

Pigment Print, Lanesville 1958, 13x19, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Lanesville 1958

Fuji Print, Lanesville 1958, 11x14 inches

Fuji Print, Lanesville 1958

Ilfochrome Print & pigment print, Lanesville 1958, 11x15, 8.5x11 inches

Ilfochrome Print, Lanesville 1958

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Dottie Weaver

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver, 13x19, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver, early 50's, 13x19, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Dottie Weaver

Still Life

Pigment Print, Still Life 1981, 8.5x11, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Still Life 1981

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Glass 1980

Pigment Print, Glass 1980, 8x5x11, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Glass 1980

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Painted Leaf 1983

Pigment Print, Painted Leaf 1983

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Red Ribbon 80's

Pigment Print, Red Ribbon 80's, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Red Ribbon 80's

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Brush 1980

Pigment Print, Brush 1980, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Brush 1980

Saul Leiter Color Photograph,Paint Cap 1981

Pigment Print,Paint Cap 1981, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print,Paint Cap 1981

Pigment Print, Brush 1980, 8.5x11, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print, Brush 1980

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Palette Knife 1981

Pigment Print, Palette Knife 1981, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Palette Knife 1981

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Brush 1983

Pigment Print, Brush 1983, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Brush 1983

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Paint Tube & Brush 1980

Pigment Print, Paint Tube & Brush 1980, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Paint Tube & Brush 1980

Pigment Print,Palette Knife 1981, 8.5x11, 13x19 inches

Pigment Print,Palette Knife 1981

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Palette Knife & Cap 1980

Pigment Print, Palette Knife & Cap 1980, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Palette Knife & Cap 1980

Saul Leiter Color Photograph, Brushes 1983

Pigment Print, Brushes 1983, 8.5x11 inches

Pigment Print, Brushes 1983