Snow Possibly 1960 - 2005

Saul Leiter made this photograph, Snow, using dyes and photographic paper, at some point during his long career. The genius of the picture is the way Leiter uses the surface of the glass to abstract the scene beyond. Look at how the drips become extensions of the figure's legs, blurring the boundary between the person and the environment. The wetness on the window isn't just a detail, it's the whole point. It's like Leiter is painting with the weather, letting the snow and condensation do some of the work. It makes me think of other photographers who use chance and accident, like some of the street photographers of the 60s, or even painters like Gerhard Richter, who let the squeegee smear the image. There's a beauty in letting go, in embracing the unpredictable. Ultimately, Leiter reminds us that art isn't about control, but about seeing what happens when you surrender to the moment.