Harold Feinstein: Boardwalks, Beaches & Boulevards
David Hill Gallery, London
June 18 – August 14, 2020 (Reopening by Appointment Only)
A Master of the American Experience
David Hill Gallery, in collaboration with Carrie Scott, is pleased to present Boardwalks, Beaches & Boulevards, an exhibition celebrating the remarkable monochrome photography of Harold Feinstein. Widely regarded as “one of the most accomplished recorders of the American experience” (The New York Times), Feinstein’s work is deeply evocative, yet remains lesser known than that of his contemporaries.
This exhibition seeks to change that, offering a rare opportunity to engage with Feinstein’s intimate, human-centered photography—images that capture the energy, warmth, and diversity of mid-century New York.
A Photographer Who Lived Among His Subjects
Unlike many street photographers of his generation, Feinstein did not remain an unseen observer. While inspired by masters such as W. Eugene Smith and Henri Cartier-Bresson, his approach was entirely his own. Feinstein’s work is marked by physical proximity—his subjects are not distant figures but fully present, framed with empathy and immediacy.
Whether capturing teenagers lounging on a Coney Island beach, a couple walking the boulevard, or the intense gaze of a young child staring directly into his lens, Feinstein’s images carry a rare intimacy. This closeness speaks to his ability to connect with his subjects, a quality that sets him apart from photographers such as Diane Arbus, Walker Evans, and Garry Winogrand, whose work often portrayed the human condition from an impersonal distance.
Feinstein’s photographs celebrate life in all its forms. From the glowing marquees of Times Square to Harlem’s bustling streets, from smoky diners to the rhythmic chaos of subway cars, his images do not merely document life in New York—they immerse us in it. His portraits radiate joy, longing, humor, and resilience, reflecting the profound emotional depth of his subjects.
As Feinstein himself explained:
"Everywhere people live out their own personal story, yet are tied together through the universal emotions of love, loss, curiosity, humor, and compassion... My street photography is a small sampling of my photographic journey bearing witness to the beauty and mystery of this human life."
A Legacy Rediscovered
Born in Coney Island in 1931, Feinstein began photographing at just 15 years old, becoming one of the leading figures in the emerging New York City street photography movement. By 17, he had joined the famed Photo League, and by 19, his work had already been acquired by Edward Steichen for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). His early success included exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art (1954), MoMA (1957), and a solo show at Helen Gee’s legendary Limelight Gallery (1957).
Yet, despite these achievements, Feinstein’s work has rarely been exhibited—until now. A renaissance of his archive is underway, spurred by the 2018 documentary Last Stop Coney Island: The Life and Photography of Harold Feinstein, which premiered at DOC NYC to a sold-out audience. This renewed interest, coupled with the continued success of his monograph, Harold Feinstein: A Retrospective (Nazraeli Press, 2012), has brought his photography to the forefront of public and critical acclaim.
Harold Feinstein: Boardwalks, Beaches & Boulevards
Curated By Carrie Scott
David Hill Gallery: Bringing Hidden Masterpieces to Light
Since its founding in 2015, David Hill Gallery has been committed to showcasing both renowned and underrepresented photographers, with a special focus on previously unseen work. Past exhibitions have included the first solo show outside of West Africa for Sanlé Sory’s vibrant portraiture, Mario Carnicelli’s striking mid-1960s American street photography, and Hunter Barnes’ raw documentation of marginalized communities across the U.S. Other notable shows have featured Werner Bischof’s groundbreaking 1950s USA series, Burt Glinn’s coverage of the Cuban Revolution, Bill Bernstein’s nightlife photography of 1970s New York, and Magnum Photos founder George Rodger’s recently rediscovered 1940s color images of Sudanese tribes.
With Boardwalks, Beaches & Boulevards, David Hill Gallery continues its mission of bringing extraordinary but overlooked work to a wider audience.
A Celebration of Feinstein’s Vision
This exhibition offers a rare chance to experience the timeless energy of Harold Feinstein’s New York—a city alive with movement, humor, and resilience. His photographs do not just capture moments; they capture the spirit of a generation.
Boardwalks, Beaches & Boulevards runs from June 18 to August 14, 2020, at David Hill Gallery, London, and is available by appointment only.