Lee Friedlander: Letters from the People

Friedlander’s photographs capture dispatches and communiques in public spaces—including in graffiti, advertising, and street signs. His wittily composed images range from singular letters that seem to contain a rich story within a single character to full sentences that vary in topic and tone.

black and white photograph of a wooden fence with painted text
Black and white photograph of a detail of a hand painted sign of the letter 'A' painted onto a wall
Black and white photograph of a sign that says cash with products in the background
Black and white photograph of a detail of a hand painted sign of the letter 'L' painted onto a wall, shadow of some leaves
Black and white photograph with graffiti in the foreground a boat and a city skyline in the background
Black and white photograph of a detail of a hand painted sign
Black and white photograph looking out an airport window with the number 8 on it
Black and white photograph of a detail of text in a tile floor
Black and white photograph of a detail of the letter S with water around it and a stamp in the bottom right corner
Black and white photograph of a storefront window with graffiti
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Related Portfolios

Black and white photographs of two women in sunglasses taking photographs on a city street

Lee Friedlander: The People’s Pictures
Black and white photograph of a rural two story building with the word 'eat' in large white letters on its roof.

Lee Friedlander: Signs
Black-and-white photograph of a man and woman entering and exiting a building with their faces obscured by doors

Lee Friedlander: The Street
Black-and-white photograph of a television with a woman's face onscreen on top of a bureau

Lee Friedlander: The Little Screens