Saul Leiter: In My Room

Wonderful book of intimate, natural portraits by a truly magnificent artist. So thrilled to now have it as a part of my collection. Truly a treasure.

This is a superb book of portraiture. Saul Leiter had a refined, rarified way of seeing that appears, at times, deceptively simple. Especially noteworthy, in my opinion, is the interplay in certain photos between out of focus areas and in focus areas, between mirrors and women. What also makes this book special is the fact that these photos are, in fact, scans of photos that Saul Leiter actually developed and printed in his own lab. So what we are seeing here are these photos the way that Saul Leiter wanted them to appear.

This hardcover 8 x 8 book is well made. The semi-gloss print quality is excellent and the pages have nice weight and thickness. The photos are mostly 4 x 6 with a few 5 x 5's.It took a few days for some of these photographs to grow on me. My last purchase in this genre - Vincent Peters amazing "Personal" work - is very different. Both are beautiful works of art.Where Peters controls every last detail regarding his idyllic sets, the perfectly flattering poses, & the precise fall of light, Leiter seemingly controls much less in comparison. I doubt that Saul gives much thought to straightening a bed sheet, or adding / removing a cup, an ashtray, a book, a notepad, or a newspaper in his frame before releasing the shutter. Whatever is or isn't there in that moment makes the cut. The results are authentic, day in the life captures of his lovely muses.One of the great things about IMR (and In No Great Hurry film) is the unobstructed view of how Saul lived and worked. It's a beautiful mess dripping with the context of an artist in perpetual creative mode. He doesn't mind a little peeling plaster, or dirt around the baseboards... he's obviously consumed elsewhere.Saul's models here - personal friends, companions, and/ or lovers - all seem relaxed, unrehearsed, and wholly themselves. Whether just waking up, lounging around the house, getting (un)dressed, getting ready to go out... almost every shot feels candid. Page 21 is an exceptional masterpiece.In My Room does have some traditional posed shots, but none seem meticulously planned beyond good light at the right place / time of day.Saul has an incredible gift for framing, composition, and using light. This work is no exception. His inventive inclusion of reflections, frames within frames, dramatic dof, and the like are remarkable and inspiring. If you're a Leiter fan, add this to your collection in a great hurry. You won't be disappointed.

One of my favorite photo books. The photos are genuine and authentic. They show passion in his relationships and have amazing compositions.

An absolute classic book. Stunning intimate moments beautifully captured. Saul Leiter is a true master.

It's interesting to see this kind of work from a master of composition and light, it's another dimension of a great artist, not disappointed at all

Wonderful artist/photographer, wonderful book. Beautiful photos.

great