Harold Feinstein was born in Coney Island in 1931. When he passed away in 2015 the New York Times declared him: “One of the most accomplished recorders of the American experience.”
He began his photography career in 1946 at age 15. Within four short years, Edward Steichen, an early supporter, had purchased his work for the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
He joined the Photo League at 17 and became a prominent figure of the early New York City street photography scene and one of the original inhabitants of the legendary “jazz loft”.
The full bioThis photograph was taken when Harold was people-watching in the outdoor cafes of Paris. When filmmaker Andy Dunn previewed an edit of the film, Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein for Philippe Garner (Emeritus head of Photography, Christie’s) who appears in it, Philippe was delighted to see his good friend Robert Vallois (left) of Galerie Vallois in the photo. Harold had no idea who was in this photo but loved the scene. Now if we can only find out who the other two men are!
Related: Philippe Garner commentary on Harold’s work at Photo London, 2017.
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