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News, updates and a bit of conscience - by Judith Thompson
I have been planning this post for some time, keeping a list of “news” items and looking forward to sharing them with our readers. As I was finishing up, I stopped to watch the news and then came back to this post. Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began a few days ago, I… Continue reading
Fatherly Inheritances: Father’s Day 2021 - by Judith Thompson
If you’ve seen the film Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein, you will know that Harold’s relationship with his own father was a difficult one. Louis Feinstein suffered from alcoholism and Harold often spoke about the fear he felt around him, the beatings and druken rages. It was a huge… Continue reading
What to remember: Reflections on Memorial Day 2021 - by Judith Thompson
Unquestionably war has touched us all. Every single person, no matter who they are or where they live, has been touched by war. Scars from the traumas of war are passed down throughout generations and layered with new scars as the self-perpetuating cycles of war and violence continue to be fueled partly by the unhealed… Continue reading
What’s the July 4th week-end without Coney Island? Will apple pie be the next to go? - by Judith Thompson
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!
“Make Freedom Real”: James Baldwin on art, truth and change in America - by Judith Thompson
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.
Different kinds of war: Reflections on Memorial Day 2020 - by Judith Thompson
As I looked through Harold’s Draftee series for some appropriate photographs to share on this 2020 Memorial Day observance, the irony of the one above did not escape me. This GI is getting inoculated in both arms as a way to prepare for the war overseas. Harold went off to Korea in 1952. Approximately 35,000… Continue reading
Roses and prayers for Therese on Mother’s Day, 2020 - by Judith Thompson
“We are born of love; love is our Mother. ” Rumi Today we celebrate mothers. And yet it’s a different Mother’s Day than any of us have every known. In too many cases the joyful gatherings that we may have been used to on this special days are being replaced by zoom calls. In too… Continue reading
Earth Day at 50: A Hush Across the Land - by Judith Thompson
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep. Rumi Could any of us have imagined that the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day would arrive like this? The global “pause button” has been pushed. The Earth is breathing? Can you hear her? The Pandemic has created multiple realities for… Continue reading
Happy 89th Birthday Harold! Remembering what’s important - by Judith Thompson
As I was looking through various quotes from Harold’s writings by way of bringing not only his face, but his words to this 89th birthday remembrance, I came across a transcript from a 1981 interview of him. In it he was sharing his thoughts about handling difficult events in life. It seemed so relevant to… Continue reading
A Love Letter to New York: We Stand With You! - by Judith Thompson
To all New Yorkers: Please accept this visual love letter from one who always saw New York through the eyes of love.
Reflections on vulnerability, connection and art in a time of crisis: With gratitude to my friends - by Judith Thompson
But, I’m reaching out across cyberspace to connect with my face and voice from inside my home to inside your home during this unprecedented time on this planet in the year 2020.
“No rent, no cockroaches, no tomorrow”: Celebrating Valentine’s Day 2020 - by Judith Thompson
The photo above was always a favorite of Harold’s. It was published many times, but I particularly love how he described the scene in the seven page spread for New York Newsday (1991) in an article entitled The Man who Loved Coney Island. But then again…Harold was a man in love with so many things.… Continue reading
“They were all missing someone”: Harold Feinstein’s Korean photographs, Veteran’s Day 2019 - by Judith Thompson
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.
HOMECOMING!! “Last Stop Coney Island” at the Coney Island Film Festival! - by Judith Thompson
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 beer at The Coney Island Brewing Company.
“It’ll always be the first kiss”: Memories for Valentine’s Day 2019 - by Judith Thompson
Harold liked to say: “It will always be the first kiss” when he talked about his love of life. I was blessed with a 27 year marriage to someone who never let me forget how much he loved me; who maintained a consistent appreciation of life — and of me! As he got older, he… Continue reading
“Last Stop Coney Island” featured at Newburyport Doc Festival February 17 - by Judith Thompson
I’m pleased that the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival has selected Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein as one of it’s featured films in 2019. For the last fifteen years of his life, Harold and I lived in the town of Merrimac, MA which is right next door to the beautiful city… Continue reading
“Last Stop Coney Island” SOLD OUT! Second screening scheduled on November 15! - by Judith Thompson
We’re thrilled to announce that Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein premiering at DOC NYC on November 14th has SOLD OUT!! A second screening has been added on NOVEMBER 15TH at 9:45 PM Filmmaker Andy Dunn, editor Lawrence Huck and myself will be at both screenings. Hope to see you… Continue reading
“Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein” will premier at DOC NYC November 14th - by Judith Thompson
We’re excited to announce that Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein will have it’s international debut at DOC NYC on November 14th at Cinepolis Chelsea. DOC NYC is the country’s largest documentary film festival voted by MovieMaker magazine as one of the “top five coolest documentary film festivals in the world.” Furthermore, … Continue reading