Harold Feinstein: America’s forgotten photographer

An incredible life — Despite being regarded as one of the ‘true American photographers,’ the New Yorker evaded fame and fortune for most of his life. Now, a new documentary is shining a light on his incredible story.

Harold Feinstein’s camera captured America with its guard down. The Coney Island native was capable of an understated magic, finding a warmth and beauty in the everyday. He was, to borrow the words of French gallerist Thierry Bigaignon, one of the “true American” photographers: a foremost chronicler of life in the USA.

But most people would struggle to put a name to the work. Despite building a breathtaking body of images that depicted the human experience with unparalleled warmth, Feinstein – who died in 2015, aged 84 – evaded fame and fortune for the majority of his life and career. In truth, it was only in his final years that he was given the due he deserved.

In Last Stop Coney Island, filmmaker Andy Dunn sets out to tell the story of America’s forgotten great, beginning with his childhood in New York and following him as he left home at 15 to pursue a life as an artist. Having stumbled across Feinstein’s images in 2013 when photographer Jonathan Canlas tweeted a link to a Kickstarter raising funds for Harold’s first ever monograph (at the age of 81), the director was immediately taken by the work.

“The cinematic Americana of diners, vintage cars and of course Coney Island itself struck a chord, but it was always the quieter moments that really got me,” he explains. “Portraits, whether made in the street or behind closed doors, had some magic in the gaze of the subject. Someone in the film says they are haunting, and they’re right – but not in a negative way. Just that there’s more going on in that moment than just the physical.”  

Lady of the Lake, 1974

with Rolleiflex in Brooklyn, 1949

“Deciding to make the film about Harold came after I’d devoured all the work on view and then discovered that he’d also led a fascinating life. He grew up in Coney Island, was drafted into the Korean war, rubbed shoulders with some the greatest jazz musicians in Manhattan in the ’50s – and [then] disappeared from the photography world.  It amazes me even now how some of the New York photography community still don’t know his work.”

Despite an initial flurry of success as a young photographer in the ’50s, Feinstein – who, Dunn explains, wasn’t one to “play ball” with institutions and galleries – disappeared from the New York scene. However, his output never diminished. Blending archive footage with first-hand interviews, Last Stop Coney Island tracks his forgotten years, questioning why a figure of his gravity disappeared from view.

Puppy Love, 1987

Sharing a Public Bench, 1949

On top of that, the film explores its subject’s love of teaching (“all the students I spoke to said Harold awakened their creativity that was within them”), his relationship with fatherhood, grapples with addiction and photography would take him out of the US and across the world. It also includes first-hand conversations with Feinstein himself filmed before his death, offering a window the mind of one of America’s greats. 

“Harold’s work is already a time capsule of an America that is no more but I think Harold’s legacy will be seen in the lives and art of those people he met and inspired when he was alive, they all carry a little of him with them,” Dunn adds. “Beyond those lucky people, I hope people who see the film will join me in learning from Harold’s advice: “Be creative with your life, that’s the most important canvas.”

Beauty Parlor Window, 1964

Sightseeing Bus NYC, 1956

Girl With Doll, 1949

Visit the Last Stop Coney Island website for information on upcoming screenings. 

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


Ad

Latest on Huck

Group of people dancing at a live music performance, with a large "Spaces Beats" sign in the background.
Music

Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms

Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.

Written by: Jack Styler

A person's face surrounded by colourful flowers. The flowers include orange, red, and yellow dahlias, as well as smaller yellow blooms. The person's expression is serious.
Music

Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”

What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.

Written by: Uwade

Taxidermy alligator with a small monkey sitting on its head, displayed on a wooden shelf with other items.
Culture

Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets

“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Muscular man with arms crossed in a dark setting, 'Hard Feelings' text overlay.
Sport

Frazer Clarke: “I had a hole in my leg, I’m very lucky to be alive”

Hard Feelings — For our interview column on masculinity and fatherhood, the Olympic boxing medallist speaks to Robert Kazandjian about hard graft, the fear and triumph of his first fight, and returning to the ring after being stabbed on a night out.

Written by: Robert Kazandjian

Close-up view of a woman in a vintage pose, with flowing hair and an outstretched hand, set against a hazy, scenic background.
© Peter Palladino, courtesy of the Peter Palladino Archive.
Culture

Remembering Holly Woodlawn, Andy Warhol muse and trans trailblazer

Love You Madly — A new book explores the actress’s rollercoaster life and story, who helped inspire Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Crushed Burger King cup, playing card, caution tape on cracked pavement.
Culture

This photographer picked up 1,000 weed baggies in New York and documented them

0.125OZ — Since originally stumbling across a discarded bag in Brooklyn, Vincent ”Streetadelic” Pflieger has amassed a huge archive of marijuana packaging, while inadvertently capturing a moment as cannabis went from an illicit, underground drug to big business.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.