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Harold Feinstein
Harold Feinstein was born in Coney Island in 1931. He began his career in photography in 1946 at the age of 15 and within four short years, Edward Steichen, an early supporter, had purchased his work for the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). He joined the Photo League at 17 and became a prominent figure in the vanguard of the early New York City street photography scene where he exhibited at Helen Gee’s Limelight Gallery and was a designer for historic Blue Note Records. He was one of the original inhabitants of the legendary “Jazz Loft,” which he later turned over to his long-time collaborator and colleague W. Eugene Smith.
Feinstein is best known for his six-decade engagement with Coney Island. While his Coney Island work has been much celebrated, Feinstein’s breadth and exposure are far greater. His photographs from the Korean War, taken from the perspective of a draftee, offer an intimate look at the daily life of young conscripts from induction, to basic training, to the front lines. In addition, he has a large collection of classic street photography, nudes, portraits and still life. His first black and white monograph, Harold Feinstein: A Retrospective, was published in 2012 by Nazraeli Press and won a Photo District News 2013 award in the Best Photo Books category.
Feinstein’s photographs have been exhibited in and are represented in the permanent collections of major museums around the globe including the Museum of Modern Art, International Center of Photography, George Eastman House, Museum of Photographic Arts, Center for Creative Photography, Musée d’Art Moderne, the Jewish Museum, and the Museum of the City of New York. His portfolios, photo essays, and articles have been published in major periodicals including, LIFE, Aperture, Black and White, Camera Arts, The New York Times Magazine, American Photo, Oprah Magazine, Evergreen Review, Photography Annual, Modern Photography and Popular Photography.
The work of Harold Feinstein is featured in these exhibitions.
(Select the image to view the exhibition page)
View From The Street
Harold Feinstein Master Photographer
Memorial Day
The work of Harold Feinstein is featured in these Theme Collections.
(Select the image to view the theme page)
Abstraction – Color
Landscape – B&W
Signage
Sky
Studies of Light – B&W
Still Life – Color
Urban Landscapes – Color
Harold Feinstein and the Korean War
Confidence Course, 1952
Standing Guard, 1952
Korean Children on Village Bridge, Pusan, 1953
Boots Stowed Under Cot, 1952
Harold Feinstein • Master Photographer
April 17, 1931 - June 20, 2015
We are saddened to announce the passing of Harold Feinstein on June 20, 2015.
Messages of condolences can be left on Harold’s Facebook page.
An obituary for Harold was published 7/1/15 in the New York Times.
This obituary for Harold was published 7/17 in The Daily Telegraph, London.
“Master” appropriately summarizes a 70 year career in photography.
Selection of his work at age 19 by Edward Steichen for MoMA’s permanent collection, membership in the Photo League, essays in major publications, nine books and presence in other notable museum collections testify to the broad recognition of Harold Feinstein.
Lumière has curated this exhibition… the 40th in its’ series on accomplished artists… with selections that highlight his creativity, diversity and consistent excellence. From black and white images of the urban landscape to color still lifes of flora and seashells, Feinstein’s prints radiate energy.
Last Weekend - View From The Street
Featuring the Work of Vivian Maier & Harold Feinstein
First recognized at the age of 19 by Edward Steichen, who purchased his prints for MoMA,
Feinstein has been widely acclaimed throughout his distinguished career.
“He is one of the few photographers with the ability to reveal the familiar in a beautiful new way”
W. Eugene Smith
“Humanistic, intimate, engaged” • A.D. Coleman…photography critic, New York Times
Also included . . . photographs by Vivian Maier – in conjunction with the publication of the book:
Vivian Maier: A Photographer Found (Oct 28,2014 – Harper Collins)
Lumière’s well received Fall exhibition… Masters of Photography will continue until February 28th as well, augmented with street photography by Berenice Abbott, Alexander Rodchenko & Wolf Suschitzky.
View Harold Feinstein’s artist page: – select here
View Vivian Maier’s artist page: – select here Updated Nov 21, 2014
Feinstein/Maier Reviewed in ArtsATL
December 16, 2014
By Virginie Kippelen
Lumière’s “View from the Street” a lively dialogue between Harold Feinstein, Vivian Maier.
This exhibition pairs the work of two great photographers. Vivian Maier, who died in 2009, is the mysterious nanny who rocketed to posthumous stardom after the discovery of her negatives in a storage locker in 2007. Harold Feinstein, now 83, was already exhibiting at the Museum of Modern Art at the age of 19 and collected by the likes of Edward Steichen. He was associated with the influential New York school and collaborated with W. Eugene Smith.
It’s an ingenious coupling: the juxtaposition brings out their similarities and their differences.
To read the entire review follow this link to ArtsATL.
Harold Feinstein - In The News - UPDATE
December 5, 2014 – The video to the right was posted recently by Ted Forbes on The Art of Photography Youtube Channel. (13:09)
November 21, 2014 – The Guardian– London, United Kingdom.
My Best Shot, features Feinstein’s icon image, Coney Island Teens. Select the link above to read Harold’s account of the image from 1949.
Novemember 18, 2014 – L’Oeil de la Photographie – Paris, France. An in-depth feature story on Harold’s 60+ year career in photography. It also sheds light on the influence he has had on numerous photographers as a teacher and mentor.
