Saul Leiter (Photofile) [Paperback]

Saul Leiter (Photographer), Max Kozloff (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Photofile | Publication Date: April 27, 2009

The classic Photofile series brings together the best work of the world's greatest photographers in an attractive format and at a reasonable price.

Handsome and collectible, the books are produced to the highest standards. Each volume contains reproductions printed in superb duotone, together with a critical introduction and a full bibliography.

Saul Leiter (b. 1923) is one of those photographers who seek neither fame nor commercial success, despite their talent for imagemaking. Born in Pittsburgh, he spent the 1940s and 1950s in New York, in an intensely creative environment where ideas from Europe and America came together and intermingled. There he encountered Rothko and the Abstract Expressionists, and discovered street photography and the work of Cartier-Bresson. His mastery of color is displayed in unconventional cityscapes in which reflections, transparency, complex framing and mirroring effects are married to a very personal printing style, creating a unique urban view.

64 duotone photographs

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Max Kozloff is a prolific writer and art critic. He is the author of several books, including Lone Visions, Crowded Frames: Essays on Photography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (April 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500410976
• ISBN-13: 978-0500410974
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem, whether you already know Leiter's work or not, April 15, 2009

By 

G. Morgan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Saul Leiter (Photofile) (Paperback)

Saul Leiter's photography reveals an urban world of rich, yet understated colours and abstract shapes. In some photos, he focuses on a reflective surface or the layer of condensation on a window, causing the objects or people behind them to appear fluid, disjointed or overlaid with a mosaic or other pattern. His black and white work explores juxtapositions, shapes and overlaid surfaces.

I was apprehensive about buying this slim volume of Leiter's work, having recently purchased a copy of another collection of his photos: 'Early Color'. My concern was that there would be too much overlap. I need not have worried. Although about a third of the works in this collection of 64 photos also appear in 'Early Color', the entire book is superb. Moreover, about 25 of the images are of his black and white photos, with which I was entirely unacquainted.

So, what should you do if you are mainly interested in Leiter's colour photography and are hesitating between this and 'Early Color'? If money is no object (and if 'Early Color' is still available, for I do not expect it to remain in print forever), I would recommend choosing 'Early Color'. Although the reproductions in this Photofile book are good, the slightly less bright paper of 'Early Color' better suits Leiter's muted colours. However, if you are budget-conscious or are looking for a selection that includes his monochrome work, this book would be the obvious choice. And if you already own 'Early Color' and are considering another volume of Leiter's wonderful photography, do not hesitate -- this book is a gem.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true Master of Color, April 18, 2009

By 

N. Johnson "eye to eye" (Off the coast of US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saul Leiter (Photofile) (Paperback)

This is an undiscovered treasure! This book is a good intro to his work. Most people will know of his studio work for magazines, but this book unlocks the sense of color of the 50' and 60'. It is up there with Hass, Callahan and Outerbridge. You will be very happy with this book.