Okay, so today I messed around with “kurt leiter.” I’d heard the name before, maybe in some photography forums or something. Honestly, I didn’t really know much, just that he’s a photographer. So, I decided to dig in.
First Steps – Googling Around
First thing I did, naturally, was fire up Google. Just typed in “kurt leiter” and see what came up. Lots of images, some articles, a Wikipedia page… the usual stuff. I clicked around a few of the image results, just to get a feel for his style.
Getting a Feel for the Style
I started noticing some patterns. Lots of shots through windows, reflections, blurred foregrounds… kinda like he’s always capturing a moment from behind the scenes, or maybe like you’re peeking into someone else’s life. I liked it. It felt… intimate, I guess? Like you’re spying, but in a nice way.
Diving Deeper – Finding Resources
After getting a general sense, I wanted to learn more about how he took these photos. I looked for interviews, articles, anything that might explain his process. I stumbled across some articles talking about his use of color and composition. He often shoots in pretty ordinary places – like, just walking down the street – but he makes them look amazing.
Trying it Out Myself
So, inspired by all this, I grabbed my own camera (nothing fancy, just my phone, actually) and went for a walk. I tried to keep Leiter’s style in mind. I started looking for reflections in shop windows, playing with different angles, trying to find interesting ways to frame ordinary things. It’s harder than it looks!
- Finding the Right Light: I quickly realized how important light is. Leiter’s photos often have this amazing, soft light. I tried to find similar lighting situations, waiting for the sun to hit buildings just right.
- Looking for Reflections: I spent ages just staring at windows, trying to see what was reflected in them. It’s weird how you don’t really notice reflections until you’re actively looking for them.
- Framing and Composition: This was the toughest part. I tried shooting through things, like branches or fences, to create that layered, almost voyeuristic look.
Results and Reflections
Honestly, most of my photos were pretty terrible. But there were a few that I kind of liked. They definitely weren’t “kurt leiter” quality, but it was a fun experiment. It made me appreciate how much skill and vision goes into making those seemingly simple photos.
I think the biggest thing I learned was to slow down and really look at my surroundings. There’s beauty everywhere, even in the most mundane places, you just have to find it. I’ll definitely keep practicing, and maybe I will try to shoot more photos in this style.
