Saul Leiter: The Poet of Color and Reflection
Saul Leiter (1923–2013) was one of the quiet geniuses of 20th-century photography, a painter-turned-photographer whose work transformed the way we see color in the urban landscape. Long before color photography was widely accepted as art, Leiter embraced its painterly qualities, using reflections, rain, fog, and fragments of the city to create lyrical images of New York. His photographs blur the line between documentation and abstraction, infusing everyday street scenes with mystery and poetry.
Here's an overview of the cameras and lenses he employed:
Film Cameras
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Leica M4: During the 1970s and beyond, Leiter frequently used the Leica M4 for his commercial and fashion photography assignments.
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| Leica M4 |
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Leica CL: For street photography, he often opted for the compact Leica CL, appreciating its portability and discreet profile.
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| Leica CL |
Canon A-1 and AE-1: Leiter incorporated these Canon models into his street photography repertoire, valuing their versatility and the availability of quality FD lenses.
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| Canon A1 |
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| Canon AE-1 |
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Minox 35 EL: Known for its ultra-compact design, the Minox 35 EL was another camera Leiter used, aligning with his preference for unobtrusive equipment.
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| Minix 35 EL |
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Rolleiflex 6x6: In his early career, particularly during the 1950s, Leiter utilized the medium-format Rolleiflex for both personal and professional work.
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| Rolleiflex |
Lenses and Film
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Telephoto Lenses: Leiter had a distinct affinity for telephoto lenses, often employing focal lengths of 90mm, 150mm, and even up to 300mm. These lenses enabled him to compress scenes, creating layered compositions with a painterly quality.
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Kodachrome Slide Film: A hallmark of Leiter's color work was his use of Kodachrome film. He frequently shot with expired film stock, embracing the unpredictable color shifts and muted tones that became characteristic of his images.
Digital Cameras
Olympus E-1: In 2003, Leiter received an Olympus E-1 digital camera as part of a grant, marking his initial foray into digital photography.
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| Olympus E1 |
Panasonic Lumix G1 and LX5: Later, he adopted the Panasonic Lumix G1 and the compact LX5, appreciating their lightweight design and image quality.
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| Panasonic Lumix G1 |
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| Panasonic Lumix LX5 |
Leica V-Lux 2: In his final years, Leiter was seen using the Leica V-Lux 2, a versatile bridge camera that complemented his spontaneous shooting style.
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| Leica V-Lux 2 |
Books by Saul Leiter
