How To Shoot Like Leiter

Saul Leiter was a pioneering figure in the world of photography, particularly known for his contribution to color photography and his unique, abstract style of capturing urban life. To capture photographs akin to Saul Leiter’s, follow these five tips:

Embrace Color as a Narrative Tool
Leiter saw color as an essential component of his photography, using it to convey mood, atmosphere, and emotion. Experiment with different lighting and weather conditions to see how they influence the colors in your composition. Pay attention to how warm or cool tones can alter the feel of a photograph.

Look for the Abstract in the Everyday
Leiter had a knack for finding abstraction in ordinary scenes. Look for patterns, textures, reflections, and shadows in your everyday environment. Use these elements to create compositions that suggest rather than describe, leaving room for interpretation.

Use Layers to Add Depth
Leiter often used windows, reflections, and layers in his photographs to create depth and complexity. Try shooting through surfaces like fogged or rain-drenched glass, or use reflections to add a layer of intrigue. These techniques can transform a mundane scene into something mysterious and profound.

Employ a Judicious Use of Focus
Selective focus is a hallmark of Leiter’s work. He frequently played with focus to highlight certain elements of a scene while leaving others obscured. This not only draws the viewer’s eye to specific areas but also adds a dreamlike quality to his images. Experiment with different apertures and focus points to achieve a similar effect.

Capture Candid Moments
While known for his abstract compositions, Leiter also had an uncanny ability to capture candid human moments with warmth and empathy. Practice observing people unobtrusively, capturing their unguarded moments. Timing is crucial—anticipate movements and interactions to catch those fleeting expressions and gestures that tell a story.

In essence, shooting photographs like Saul Leiter is about seeing the world differently—finding beauty in the mundane, expressing emotion through color, and presenting reality in an abstract, layered manner. It’s about looking beyond the obvious to discover the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary. With practice and patience, you can develop an eye for Leiter’s unique perspective and incorporate his stylistic elements into your photography.

Happy Shooting!

-Mar