Leland Y. Lee at his 2010 photography exhibition, age 91
Elrod House, Palm Springs, 1968, by Leland Y. Lee
In the 1950s, Leland Y. Lee (left) assists Julius Shulman (right)
SOUL SEARCHING: Fire-ravaged architectural photographer Leland Y. Lee longs to keep alive a four-decade legacy
by Jack Levitan, Eichler Network ©2010
Throughout his 40 years as an architectural photographer, Leland Lee had one goal in mind—to capture the soul of every building he shot. The soul never dies, but photographs are far more fragile. When fire hits, the soul flits up to heaven. Photos curl and burn.
Lee photographed work by some of Southern California's foremost modern architects and designers, including residences by John Lautner, Pierre Koenig, A. Quincy Jones, Edward Fickett, and John Rex.
Lee, 91, a straight-talking man with piercing blue eyes, a calm manner, and easy laugh, succeeded with his camera because he worked hard, approached his photography as an art, and always sought to bring out what was best in the architecture.
He never let anything stop him—not tough lighting conditions, impossible sites, or tight deadlines—and he always got the job done with a smile. "He had great presence as a gentleman, a lot of self-respect, and also respect for others," remembers Carole Soucek-King, who edited Designers West magazine from 1978 to 1993 and has been friends with Lee ever since. Full article at Eichler Network ...
View photography by Leland Y. Lee at H•D contemporary