Saul Leiter may not be the best-known name in the history of photography, but perhaps he should be. As a new monograph highlights, this uncompromising artist was a true rebel with a radical approach that resulted in a huge archive of truly groundbreaking work. Having spent decades not getting the recognition he deserved, Leiter came to prominence late in life and is now considered one of the greats.

Saul Leiter: The Centennial Retrospective presents the full spectrum of his artistic output for the first time, including rare and previously unpublished material. In this way, it both introduces the artist to new generations and sheds fresh light on his work for those who are already familiar with him.

We chatted to the authors – Margit Erb, the founder and director of the Saul Leiter Foundation, and Michael Parillo, its associate director – to discover why Leiter’s work is so important, how they put the book together and why his images still speak to us today.

Who was Saul Leiter?

Saul Leiter was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1923. His father was a respected Talmud scholar, and the younger Leiter was expected to follow in his footsteps and become a rabbi. In his early twenties, however, Saul moved to New York City to become an artist.

He had developed an interest in painting from an early age, and in New York, he was fortunate to meet the abstract expressionist painter Richard Pousette-Dart, who encouraged him to pursue photography. Soon, Leiter was taking black-and-white pictures with a 35 mm Leica. Around 1948, he started shooting in colour, at a time when most artists saw colour photography as ‘unserious’.

Leiter’s main subjects were street scenes and his small circle of friends, and indeed, many of his photographs were taken within a 10-minute walk of his apartment. His abstracted forms and daringly innovative compositions have a painterly quality that stands out among the work of his New York School contemporaries.

For his main source of income from the late 1950s through the 1970s, Leiter worked as a fashion photographer, and his pictures were published in magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, British Vogue, Queen, Nova and Esquire. All the while, he was shooting colour and black-and-white street scenes on his daily walks, as well as nudes and intimate portraits back home, while continuing his painting explorations with abstract watercolours, whimsical sketchbooks, and painted photographs.

By the late 1970s, Leiter was moving away from fashion photography, and in 1981 – facing financial difficulties – he was forced to close his studio on Fifth Avenue. For the next two decades, he lived and worked virtually unknown.

Erb first met Leiter in the mid-1990s when she worked at the Howard Greenberg Gallery in New York, which represented the artist and remains his US dealer to this day. “He was only selling two or three prints a year,” Erb says, “for maybe $900, $1,200… not enough to live on. He rarely had money for lunch; I’d always take him out to eat. When we did an exhibition, it got great reviews. But there was no internet. There were no books. There was nothing to communicate to the world about Saul.”

Turning point

With Erb’s help, Leiter began working on a book of his colour photographs in 1996. It took a painful ten years before Saul Leiter: Early Color was published, but it was worth the wait. The publication marked a turning point in his life, with Leiter being hailed, seemingly out of the blue, as a photographer to be reckoned with.

When the recession of 2008 hit, Erb began working one day a week for Leiter. This allowed her to delve into the monumental task of organising his archive. After Leiter died in 2013 at the age of 89, she and Michael Parillo continued this work. As a result, the new book combines the artist’s best-known work with a large number of unseen treasures.

“We felt that Saul’s centennial would be a perfect occasion to present a full retrospective in a way that hadn’t been seen before,” explains Erb. “So it’s the biggest book to date, in terms of both its size and the number of works it contains. It was particularly important to us to show the breadth of his painting output, too, which was a lifelong pursuit for Saul.”

Finding a balance

Given the size of the archive, selecting which photographs to include was also a challenge. The authors needed to balance images that are now regarded as Leiter classics with newly unearthed material, black and white with colour, street photography with fashion photography.

“Many of the fashion images here are unseen because it’s not a well-explored area of Saul’s career,” Erb notes. “Michael and I went to the New York Public Library, which holds almost a full collection of Harper’s Bazaar. And we identified images that highlight how Saul’s style really made him different from his contemporaries, with his use of depth of field, foreground, backgrounds, and so on.”

Although his style was unique, Leiter’s approach didn’t do him any favours at the time. “Saul was accused of being very artsy by the art directors of various magazines,” says Erb. “Often, that meant he had to rein things in, but there were exceptions.

“His best fashion years, in our opinion, were when he worked with the art director Henry Wolf at Harper’s Bazaar,” she says. “Henry just let the reins go so Saul could do as he wanted. But when Henry moved on, new art directors came in who restrained the work. And that’s essentially why Saul left the fashion world, because he couldn’t handle the restraint any more. It became very frustrating for him.”

Unique vision

Despite such bumps in the road throughout his career, Leiter’s work is now considered iconic by photography lovers. But why, exactly?

“Saul saw things the rest of us wouldn’t see,” says Parillo, “even though these things were there for everyone to see. His take on the world was just unique and a little to the left.

“Take New York, for example. His vision of New York City is so different from other photographers, and I think that’s one reason why he really stands out as one of the great New York photographers. He presents a quieter and more mysterious New York.”

“His vision was much more abstract and visually pleasing than others,” adds Erb. “It was less social comment and more about the beauty of the world around us – the beauty of urban life.”

Indeed, this observation would apply not just to Leiter’s street photography but to every aspect of his creative work. “Beauty was a topic that consumed him,” says Parillo. “He really wanted to present beauty, and he certainly did. And the fact that he never wanted to control the scene was another thing that helped him stand out. He just wanted to respond spontaneously to whatever was there.”

Growing influence

Now, ten years after his death, Leiter’s influence is spreading far and wide. For example, there have been three major exhibitions of his work in Japan in 2017, 2020 and 2023. “We were very encouraged by that,” says Erb. “In Japan, 1,000 people a day were showing up, and a good majority of them were young people.”

“Saul has really struck a chord in Japan,” continues Parillo. “And maybe that’s not surprising because Saul himself was greatly influenced by Japanese artists. He had a huge Japanese art book collection, and we feel that his art reflects that in various overt and less overt ways. The emphasis is on beauty and mystery, and quiet as well. He’s not hitting you over the head – as he said, he’s tickling your left ear.”

Lila Shermata, a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, is set to unveil her curated photography exhibition, ‘Outside Images’, at the Kelly Writers House. The exhibit, opening its doors on February 13, will showcase an array of images captured by students from Penn and other Philadelphia schools, all centered around non-human subjects such as landscapes and architecture.

A Symphony of Non-Human Narratives

Shermata received over twenty submissions in response to her open call for the exhibition. Her selection process was guided by images that resonated with her personally, ultimately choosing works that presented a diverse range of perspectives. The chosen photographs, taken by around ten students, will be displayed in the Brodsky Gallery until late March.

Among the featured student photographers are Fiona Wu, an engineering junior, and Ivanna Dudych, a sophomore in the College. Their work, along with the other selected photographs, will offer visitors a unique exploration of the world through the lens of these young artists, highlighting the beauty and intrigue found in non-human subjects.

Unveiling the Unseen

The ‘Outside Images’ exhibition invites viewers to delve into the often overlooked realm of non-human subjects. Through the eyes of these student photographers, the audience will encounter striking landscapes and intricate architectural structures, each image telling a story that transcends the confines of human narratives.

Shermata’s curation emphasizes the significance of these non-human subjects, urging viewers to contemplate their relationship with the environment and the built world. By focusing on these elements, ‘Outside Images’ seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty that exists beyond the human experience.

The Intersection of Art and Academia

Kelly Writers House, a student-run organization at the University of Pennsylvania, has long been a hub for artistic expression and intellectual discourse. The ‘Outside Images’ exhibition is a testament to the organization’s commitment to fostering creativity and promoting dialogue between students of various disciplines.

The exhibition’s opening reception, scheduled for 6 p.m. on February 13, will serve as an opportunity for students, faculty, and members of the Philadelphia community to engage with the work of these emerging artists. By providing a platform for student photographers, Kelly Writers House continues to support the intersection of art and academia, encouraging students to explore new perspectives and challenge conventional boundaries.

As the ‘Outside Images’ exhibition prepares to open its doors, the anticipation grows for the unveiling of these non-human narratives. The diverse array of photographs, curated by Lila Shermata, promises to captivate audiences and inspire new ways of seeing the world around us.

From the intricate patterns of architectural structures to the breathtaking expanse of natural landscapes, ‘Outside Images’ invites viewers to embark on a visual journey that celebrates the beauty and complexity of our environment. As these student photographers share their unique perspectives, they remind us of the power of art to challenge, inspire, and ultimately, bring us closer to understanding the world we inhabit.

Artist Carrie Usmar, of Wyoming, is one of the featured artists in Providence Art Club’s third annual Community Invitational Exhibition, on view in the organization’s Dodge House Gallery on Thomas Street in Providence. Usmar’s photo, “Efficient, a self-portrait,” depicting Usmar holding a pile of shoes.

First mounted during the pandemic and now an annual tradition, the Community Invitationals provide an opportunity for talented artists from across the state to exhibit in historic art galleries in the region. Organized by the club’s gallery manager, Michael Rose, the show includes examples of work by many gifted artists who are active throughout the state and region.

Usmar, who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Rhode Island, is an artist, writer and stay-at-home mother who lives in Wyoming with her husband and four children. Much of her work is autobiographical and focuses on issues and experiences related to motherhood. A photographer, Usmar’s work has been shown in exhibitions at the Newport Art Museum, Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts and Hera Gallery. She earned Best Series in the Women Seen by Women category of the 18th annual Julia Margaret Cameron Awards.

The exhibit, which runs through Thursday, Feb. 15, is open Sunday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

• The 27-year-old cornerback showed off some athleticism in the second half 
• He was a doubt ahead of the Super Bowl after missing media duties on Monday 
• DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

By Alastair Talbot For Dailymail.Com

Published: 22:41 EST, 11 February 2024 | Updated: 23:15 EST, 11 February 2024

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed showed off his athleticism in the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers when he hurdled over a photographer during a play, as he narrowly avoided a serious injury. 

The 27-year-old and Niners wide receiver Deebo Samuel were both going for the ball in the second half, before emerging out of bounce and close to on-field professional photographers. 

But, as they were slowing down, Sneed saw a photographer wearing a lime safety jacket in his way, prompting him to jump over the individual rather than go by or crash into him. 

Fans were amazed by the replay, with many calling it the ‘hurdle of the game.’ 

‘That was really close,’ a user on X, formerly Twitter, shared. 

‘Most amazing play of the game,’ another joked, as neither team has scored more than a touchdown in Sunday’s game, with the game tied at 19 apiece heading into extra time.

‘I thought L’Jarius Sneed punching the ball out at the goal line against the Ravens was peak performance but avoiding nailing this poor camera man in the head might top it,’ tweeted a fan. 

‘This is kind of insane haha,’ another individual wrote on X. 

Sneed was a major doubt heading into the Super Bowl after missing the game’s opening night media responsibilities for what head coach Andy Reid labeled as ‘personal reasons.’ 

In photos posted on Instagram by Bella Wu, Sneed’s girlfriend, the couple appeared to be at a Kansas City hospital for the delivery of Sneed’s second child. Sneed is the father of a sixth-year-old son from a previous relationship. 

Reid said during the playoffs, pointing particularly to Sneed’s shutdown showing against Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill, that there wasn’t an NFL cornerback playing at his level in 2023. 

‘You saw, one catch (Hill) had,’ Reid said. ‘You don’t see Tyreek get knocked down very often, but Sneed did that. I have a hard time believing there’s another corner as good as him in this league.’ 

Sneed, 27, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March and is considered a strong candidate for the franchise tag. 

Iconic photographer Sebastião Salgado has announced that at 80, it is time to step away from photographing in the field.

“I know I won’t live much longer. But I don’t want to live much longer. I’ve lived so much and seen so many things,” he said to the Guardian. 

In the interview published last week, he told the British media outlet that despite still being strong and active, and able to walk or cycle several kilometres a day – his body is paying the price for his years working in some of the world’s most hostile and challenging places.

Salgado lives with a blood disorder from improperly treated malaria caught in Indonesia, along with problems with his spine from a landmine that blew up his vehicle in 1974 during Mozambique’s war of independence.

The Brazilian photographer is known for his powerful black-and-white imagery incorporating themes of poverty, war, displacement, and the environment captured over a career spanning more than 50 years.

His last field-project was the imagery captured for his book Amazônia, published in 2021. 

Stepping away from the lens, the photographer says he will instead shift his focus to his archive, thought to contain more than a million images, and its preservation.

Salgado is also working on a project with the Wende Museum in Los Angeles on industry in the Soviet Union, and preparing for a retrospective exhibition set to open in April, after he received an Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award from the Sony World Photography Awards 2024.

Julio Cortez, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for the Associated Press, is set to host an online webcast dedicated to teaching techniques for capturing the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This exclusive event will not only showcase iconic AP eclipse photographs but also delve into the fascinating stories behind them, illustrating the methods employed to capture these extraordinary moments.

A Celestial Photography Masterclass

Cortez, who has spent years perfecting his craft and documenting significant events, will share his expertise in photographing celestial phenomena during this highly anticipated webcast. Open to professionals and hobbyists alike, this online gathering promises to be an enlightening journey into the world of eclipse photography.

The event will cover a wide range of topics, including essential equipment, camera settings, and composition techniques specifically tailored for photographing a solar eclipse. Cortez will also address safety concerns and precautions to ensure that both the photographer and their equipment remain unharmed during the process.

One of the unique aspects of this webcast is the inclusion of a Q&A session, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with Cortez and gain invaluable insights into the art of eclipse photography. This interactive element fosters a sense of community among attendees and allows for a more personalized learning experience.

A Trustworthy Source in Global News

The Associated Press, a globally recognized news organization founded in 1846, has consistently prioritized factual reporting and ethical journalism. Their commitment to delivering accurate and unbiased information extends to this webcast, ensuring that participants receive reliable and trustworthy guidance on photographing the solar eclipse.

As a testament to their dedication to providing comprehensive resources, the live sessions will be recorded and made available for 60 days after registration. This feature allows participants to revisit the material at their convenience, ensuring they can fully absorb the wealth of knowledge shared during the event.

Preparing for the Cosmic Spectacle

The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, presents a rare opportunity for photographers worldwide to capture a breathtaking display of celestial mechanics. With Julio Cortez’s expert guidance, attendees of this webcast will be well-equipped to seize this moment and create stunning visual narratives of this cosmic spectacle.

As the countdown to the eclipse begins, photographers across the globe eagerly await the chance to learn from a seasoned professional and contribute their unique perspectives to the collective visual archive of this awe-inspiring astronomical event.

Julio Cortez’s upcoming webcast, hosted by the Associated Press, promises to be an enlightening experience for photographers looking to hone their skills in capturing the beauty and wonder of a solar eclipse. By sharing his expertise and offering insights into the techniques employed in creating iconic AP eclipse photographs, Cortez aims to empower both professionals and hobbyists alike to create their own memorable visual narratives of this celestial phenomenon.

With the opportunity to engage directly with Cortez during the Q&A session and access to the recorded sessions for 60 days after registration, participants are ensured a comprehensive and personalized learning experience. As the world prepares to witness the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, photographers can look forward to capturing this cosmic spectacle with newfound confidence and artistry, thanks to the invaluable guidance provided by Julio Cortez and the Associated Press.