Harold Feinstein (1931-2015) was a celebrated master photographer. When he died in 2015, The New York Times declared him "one of the most accomplished recorders of the American experience." He was also a legendary teacher, influencing generations of aspiring photographers. He taught with appreciation for each students' innate creativity and inspired them to become allies with their own particular vision. His enthusiasm for life and creativity became the hallmark for his teaching and his art.
This RU-vid Channel, managed by the Harold Feinstein Photography Trust, is devoted to sharing his work and his teachings.
I just love his take on, and way of thinking of, and explaining, of the ‘art’ of photography. It simplifies it down to “You begin photographing, and you grow”. I remember him saying in a video that the photograph finds you, you don’t find the photograph, or words to that effect. Please correct me if I’ve got that wrong.
These street photographers were exceptionally lucky that they were in an era when aesthetics were valued. I mean the clothing, the way women were made up and so very feminine. Architecture, vehicles and life in general were much more visually stimulating and pleasing. I’m not sure if photographers of today will have that luxury. The photographers today have to be a lot more inventive to instil the same emotional feeling that Harold was able to achieve with his art. What is your perspective on this theory ?
I love art, these street photographers have a gift, honed with working of course. Looking at their work takes you to that time and place, it allows you to be a time traveler. I work with wood, but my passion for beauty reaches across all the arts, to me this is one of the reasons for life, to feel their work affecting my emotions. I have returned to film photography digital seems almost synthetic, it’s just not tactile or authentic, almost like an imposter. If I can get just one roll with anything like these I’ll feel I’ve done something.
Thank you beloved Harold for your In-sights into how to recognize "strangers", and Thank you Judith for sharing this gift of Love💝. "Love is the only engine of survival." Leonard Cohen ❣ Philomena
I'm new in appreciating Harold Feinstein and came across him when looking at "Framelines". I wish I could have known about him earlier and taken one of his classes. Thank you for this message. Just today, I ordered a DVD copy of the documentary.
Thanks Joan! So glad you've discovered Harold. If you sign up on our mailing list on the website you'll get announcments of other things happening. So grateful to Framelines for the great tribute to Harold.
If only I had a time machine and could go back in time to work with this great man! But I am grateful for these insights into his thoughts and process. Thank you for sharing this.
“It’s a source of wonder and joy.” Harold Feinstein, like so many of the great photographers, was able to capture moments of awe and wonder through his lens. He lived in an age when people were not suspicious of an individual with a camera, and his work is truly inspirational. I think I would be willing to travel backwards in time to that age, armed with a camera. Even with all the amazing technical advances in photography today, I think I would sacrifice it all, to capture images such as his, so full of humanity and life.
Can't believe I'm seeing this comment so many months later! I apologize! The book sold out within the first year and the publisher didn't reprint. A real pity! So what's on Amazon has nothing to do with us. I guess it's what the market can bear. Hoping for a new book soon!
Thanks for sharing this nice video about a great photographer. I did not know about him before, I read about the "Last stop Coney Island" film. I have been on Coney Island a couple of times to shoot street photography, so that gives the film an extra dimension for me. Looking forward to buy and see it. Harold Feinstein RIP - you got a new fan in me. Best regards from Denmark - Daniel Hoffmann, www.streetphotography.dk
Great people from a great photographer. Thanks for sharing Many were new to me all a celebration of New York and its humanity. Laurence Salzmann I knew Harold a long time ago when he lived in Powelton Village in Philadelphia.
Thanks Laurence! Good to hear from you! We also have some great Philly street photos from those days in the early 60s! Hope you're staying well. All the best!
Feinstein and Gershwin. They are a duo of a different kind. And the kind you would want to share tea with, and talk about the crying and laughing. The artist feels everything, and it’s all beautiful because feeling everything is beautiful. Harold would be crying over the bad ingredients hurting his rich stew, and he would be smiling at how his rich stew is rich, and rising over the pot, and brimming over, the love that is his rich stew. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach after all.
Judith, the photos you edited with Harold's audio in this video, empower every word, every feeling and every emotion expressed by Harold in that moment. You were clearly his Gift that he delighted in opening everyday and I can see Harold continues being your Gift that you also open everyday in a much different way. A way that each time fine tunes your listening skills for guidance from Harold's Spirit. Stay Blessed and Thank You for sharing. XX
Harold emphatically told me don't crop your photo in the darkroom, crop with your eyes, train your eye to crop when you shoot the photo. Also, never pass up the sudden urge to stop and take the photo right then, if you don't you'll regret it.
