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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”.

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Portfolios

Coney Island 1940s-50s

Coney Island 1960s-90s

Street Photography

Army Draftee

Nudes and Portraits

Still Life and Nature

Metropolis

Color 35mm Mix

Flowers

Foliage, Fruits & Vegetables

Seashells

Butterflies
Re-Discovered

Paris Bulldogs, 1987 

This photograph was taken when Harold was people-watching in the outdoor cafes of Paris. Since an exhibition of Harold’s work is once again on view in Paris (Graciously Yours, Galerie Thierry Bigaignon, May 24 – Aug 31 2018) it seemed a logical time to post this photo, which appears in the film Last Stop Coney Island: The life and photography of Harold Feinstein.

Earlier this year filmmaker Andy Dunn previewed an edit of the film for Philippe Garner (Emeritus head of Photography, Christie’s) who appears in it. Philippe was delighted to see his good friend Robert Vallois (left) 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.

See all Re-Discovered images 

News

Kodakery Podcast: The life and work of Harold Feinstein: with Carrie Scott and Andy Dunn

Nov 12, 2019

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  

HOMECOMING!! “Last Stop Coney Island” at the Coney Island Film Festival!

Sep 10, 2019

  PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING HAROLD HOME!!  Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein Sunday, September 15th at 3PM at the Coney Island Museum!  Buy your tickets now!  Join me after the screening for a… Continue reading  

Making magic in London: Carrie Scott and Andy Dunn team up to create unprecedented Feinstein festivities!

Jun 18, 2019

It was the first exhibition of Harold’s work in London. As part of the well-coordinated Feinstein menu for those gathered at the annual international photography festival, Andy Dunn’s masterful documentary, Continue reading  

Next stop London! Ramping up for the UK’s first exhibition and film screening!

May 8, 2019

My bags are packed and I’m ready to go! If you’re planning to be at Photo London this year, please take in the remarkable Feinstein events taking place concurrently and right next door at Store X and the Curzon DocHouse… Continue reading  

From The Blog

65 years of photographing Current events

“They were all missing someone”: Harold Feinstein’s Korean photographs, Veteran’s Day 2019  

Harold was drafted into the infantry and sent off to Korea when he was 22 years old.  He had a new wife, had sold prints to Steichen at MOMA and was just getting into his stride as an up and coming young photographer in the heady days of the early 50’s in New York.  And then he was yanked into the draft and sent off to Korea. Continue reading  

Managing an archive

Prints and printmaking, Part 1: Silver gelatin vintage, printed later and modern prints; what’s the difference?  

  When I first began getting involved with Harold’s work, during and after a long career of my own (completely unrelated to photography or the art world),  I found myself a complete novice at the bottom end of the learning… Continue reading  

The creative process

Becoming at home with infinity: A reflection on year four of your passing…  

  My dearest Harold: Here it is again.  The summer solstice.  The day you departed your body.  I thought it would be easier to write this year’s memorial blog post than it has been in the first three years.  I… Continue reading  

The creative process

“Where my soul is fully alive”: Wisdom from Harold on his 88th birthday  

Harold would be 88 today, April 17th, 2019.  He left his body, but his soul lives on. At least, so I believe and so did he. And the desire to listen to the directives of his soul while he was  alive was a profound intention that shaped his life, his work and his way of being. It also touched the lives of all who knew him. Continue reading  

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