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.
…[A] loving portrait of a remarkable man…well worth seeking out by anyone with an interest in the history of photography….[T]his is a worthwhile documentary to set alongside recent portraits of Vivian Maier, Robert Frank and Gordon Parks. The Arts Desk… Continue reading
In 1989 the Edwin W. Zoller Gallery at Penn State University’s School of Visual Arts launched a retrospective of Harold Feinstein’s work. Spanning his career, it included images from the 1940s to the late 1980s. During the exhibition, Feinstein walked… Continue reading
Announcing up-coming screenings and exhibitions in San Diego, London, Portland and Paris! Mark your calendars!
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We’re completely psyched about this great podcast from The Kodakery! Within three hours of being posted to SoundCloud it already had 500 listeners! Like most photographers of his era, Harold was a Kodak man — Tri-X, Plus-X, Ektachrome, Kodachrome, and… Continue reading
“No matter the context, with his camera or in a classroom, Harold Feinstein believed in the power of photography to reveal the human condition. All you need to do is look at the photographs in this volume to know he… Continue reading
Buy from MagCloudHarold Feinstein, A Retrospective is the first career-spanning monograph showcasing the brilliance of a small camera master of black-and-white photography. The 80 duotone plates span a half century of exquisite imagery, with the majority from the 40′s, 50′s and 60′s.… Continue reading
Just recently I made the decision to release the first estate print from the Harold Feinstein Photography Trust. I made this decision because this iconic image — unknown until 10 years ago — has sold out as a signed contemporary… Continue reading
This ABC Nightline piece celebrating Coney Island and the photography of Harold Feinsted aired 25 years ago today. There were dire predictions about the future then…as there are now. Yet the same indomitable resilience remains! Continue reading
HAROLD FEINSTEIN (April 17, 1931- June 20, 2015) “There can be no regrets for that which is built out of love. The love of the work, of the image, of one’s self. When you’re in the moment, you’re in touch… Continue reading
The sea change we’re seeing in this country and the world is unlike anything we’ve ever known. I am reminded of the the lines from Christopher Fry’s play The Sleep of Prisoners. Continue reading