Self Portraits

Friedlander was born in 1934 and started his career in the 1950s. His most influential work came in the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on American society. Born in Aberdeen, Washington, Friedlander spent much of his career in New York City and traveled the U.S. for his photography. He focused on self-portraits, street photography, and the American landscape, often using black and white film with reflections and layered compositions. His style is street photography and documentary, featuring chaotic compositions that include layers of detail and social commentary. Friedlander explores themes like urban isolation, identity, and modern life's complexity, using unconventional framing to challenge viewers’ perspectives. "I only wanted Uncle Vern standing by his new car (a Hudson) on a clear day. I got him and the car. I also got a bit of Aunt Mary." Lee Friedlander's self-portrait taken through a car window is a striking example of his use of reflections and framing to distort perception. In this black-and-white image, his face merges with the street scene through the glass, creating a layered effect that blurs the line between the subject and the environment. This distortion creates a sense of detachment, where Friedlander appears both present and absent in the scene, challenging the viewer’s understanding of self-identity and perspective. By integrating himself into the environment rather than positioning himself as the primary subject, Friedlander invites the audience to reconsider conventional portraiture and explore the complex relationship between the self and the world.