Lee Friedlander (b. 1932) is an influential photographer.

Freidlander's early work is known for his self-exploration evidenced in his self-portraits and for his cultural statements, such as can be seen in his photographs of the influence of television. Lee also is a Jazz afficionando and did a series of portraits of Jazz musicians. He was a key figure in the 1967 New Documents exhibition, at the Museum of Modern Art. The New Documents exhibition also featured Garry Winogrand and Diane Arbus.

Over the years Freidlander's style has changed. Images from a period of 15 years across America show his internalization in particular of Eugène Atget, Robert Frank, and Walker Evans. His photographs reflect the knowledge of what came before but the images are entirely different. His use of fences to frame images of structures is reminiscent of what came before, but not at all like them. His late work reveals a more luminescent image. While suffering from arthritis he was housebound and like many other artists and photgrapers made use of what was around him. He published a text called Stems before having his knee joints replaced since his "limbs" reminded him of stems. These images display the impact of texture which was not a feature of his older work. The images also remind one of Josef Sudek, who also did much photgraphy from within the confines of his home and studio. Freidlander feels that his texts are even more important to his body of work than are his exhibitions. The photographs can all be seen in close proximity and one after another.

His favorite camera over the years has been a Hasselblad. He makes his own silver prints. In his early years he used a Leica 35 mm camera.

Books and References

Lee Friedlander: Sticks And Stones: Architectural America, 2004 (ISBN 1891024973) by Lee Friedlander, James Enyeart

Stems by Lee Friedlander, 2003 (ISBN 1891024752)

American Musicians: Photographs by Lee Friedlander, 2003 ( ISBN 1564660567) by Lee Friedlander, Steve Lacy, Ruth Brown.

Like a One-Eyed Cat, 1989 Harry N. Abrams, Inc.,

Lee Freidlander Portraits, 1985, New York Graphic Society,

The American Monument, 1976, The Eakins Press Foundation.

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