Harold Feinstein (1931-2015) 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. 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 had his first exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1954 and his first exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1957. While his Coney Island work has been much celebrated, Feinstein’s breadth and exposure are far greater. 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.
In 2011 at the age of 80, he was given « The Living Legend Award » by the Griffin Museum of Photography.

SOLO SHOWS (selection)

2023 ”La roue des merveilles : Harold Feinstein”, Mougins Centre of Photography, Mougins , France
2022 ”Life as it was”, Bigaignon, Paris, France
2020 “Harold Feinstein: Boardwalks, Beaches & Boulevards”, David Hill Gallery, London, United Kingdom
2020 ”United”, Bigaignon, Paris, France
2018 ”Graciously Yours”, Bigaignon, Paris, France
2017 ”Contagious Optimism”, Bigaignon, Paris, France
2015 Blue Sky Gallery, Portland, United States of America
2014 “Harold Feinstein. Playground of America”, Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography, Moscow, Russia

GROUP SHOWS (selection)

2025 “Ligne(s) de mire”, off-site exhibition at the Bonisson Art Center, Bigaignon, Rognes, France
2023 ”A Black & White Journey”, Bigaignon, Paris, France
2019 The Store X, London, United Kingdom
2015 Howard Greenberg Gallery, Arles, France
2010 See+ Gallery, Beijing, PRC
1990 International Center of Photography, New York, United States of America
1985 International Center of Photography, New York, United States of America
1978 International Center of Photography, New York, United States of America
1960 Museum of Modern Art, New York, United States of America
1959 George Eastman House, United States of America
1958 Museum of Modern Art, New York, United States of America
1958 Helen Gee’s Limelight Gallery, New York, United States of America
1957 George Eastman House, United States of America
1957 Museum of Modern Art, New York, United States of America
1954 Whitney Museum of American Art, United States of America

DISTINCTIONS

2012 PDN Best books of the year award
2011 Living Legend Award, Griffin Museum
2001 Computerworld Smithsonian Award

COLLECTIONS

Museum of Modern Art
International Center for Photography
George Eastman House, Brooklyn Museum
Cincinnati Art Museum
New York Public Library
Jewish Museum
Museum of the City of New York