Featured Photographer Len Speier

Leonard Speier is a legend among New York street photographers. A contemporary of William Klein and Bruce Gilden, Len is an accomplished commercial and street shooter as well as an intellectual property attorney.

Now 86 and a stroke survivor, Len uses his physical limitations to pursue his latest project he calls, “The Bus Series.” Because he walks with a cane, Len is able to sit in the side-facing seats at the front of the city bus. He uses the vantage point to photograph his fellow passengers from across the aisle.

Using a compact digital camera, Len uses his advantage to create some powerful images, one of which won him first place in the annual photo competition at the famous Salmagundi Art Club in NY.

Recently Len was honored by having some of his work added to the permanent collection of the Erie Art Museum in Erie, Pennsylvania. Some of those images are shown below.

In addition to all of the above, Len is a true gentleman. He was kind enough to send me an autographed copy of his latest work, taken while in Erie last winter. I’m having it framed and will hang it in my office along with other personal treasures.

Listen my conversation with Len in Issue 11 of Street Photography Magazine.