Early Color documents Saul Leiter’s pioneering use of color photography during the mid-20th century, capturing urban scenes with a painterly sensitivity that emphasizes subtle hues and reflective surfaces. Leiter’s compositions highlight fleeting moments in everyday life, often focusing on layers of glass, rain, and shadow that transform cityscapes into abstract, intimate studies.

The book presents 160 pages of meticulously curated images that reveal the evolution of Leiter’s color sensibility before color photography gained widespread critical recognition. His work stands out for its quiet mood and nuanced approach to light and tone, blending spontaneity with a controlled visual rhythm.

Published by Steidl in 2008, Early Color offers a significant perspective on the early artistic use of color in photography, situating Leiter’s output within the broader history of photographic innovation.