Harvey Stein

Harvey Stein (USA) is a New York–based street photographer, educator and author whose black-and-white photographs explore the energy, intimacy and humanity of urban life. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he has returned repeatedly to the streets of New York — particularly Coney Island and Harlem — creating long-term portraits of people, communities and places in a constantly changing city.

Harvey first discovered photography while serving in the U.S. Army in Germany in 1963. After buying a Zeiss Ikon camera, he taught himself to photograph and print using the darkroom on the military base. Photography gradually developed from a hobby into a serious creative pursuit, but it was the publication of his first book, Parallels: A Look at Twins, that gave him the confidence to leave a successful career in advertising in 1979 and become a full-time photographer.

Working primarily with black-and-white film, a Leica and a wide-angle lens, Harvey is known for getting physically close to the people he photographs. His images are built through curiosity, direct engagement and a genuine interest in human character. Long-term projects including Coney Island: 40 Years, Harlem Street Portraits, Mexico Between Life and Death and Coney Island People: 50 Years reflect his belief in returning to places over time and allowing deeper stories to emerge.

Harvey is the author of 10 photography books, and his work has been exhibited internationally and is held in nearly 60 permanent museum collections. Alongside his photographic practice, he has taught at the International Center of Photography since 1976 and continues to lead workshops in New York and around the world. Having benefited from the guidance of influential mentors early in his own career, Harvey sees teaching as an opportunity to encourage photographers, build confidence and help others develop a more personal way of seeing.