Harlem Street Portraits

“From the dapper man taking a drag on a cigarette to a group of young women giggling, there is an immediacy and depth to Stein’s interactions with his subjects that is palpable on every page of this wonderful collection. Photographer and curator Stein (Artists Observed), who currently teaches at the International Center for Photography, shot these black-and-white images from 1990 to 2012. Although this famous neighborhood gave birth to many writers and artists and is the site of numerous historical landmarks, it is the images of ordinary Harlem residents that feel timeless. Stein’s images are artfully composed, usually tack-sharp, and typically reveal a moment of inner truth and intimacy. The book is filled with quiet, beautiful moments like that of a boy tossing a football in the air, a man sitting on a stoop with three kids, and two boys with their bicycles in front of a graffiti-painted wall. Stein’s skill as a photographer helps him to capture this storied community and its residents at their finest, and the essays by Herbert Boyd and Miss Rosen both contextualize and celebrate the work of this master documentarian. 160 b&w photos. (Oct.)” – Publishers Weekly

“…A collection of striking, black & white photographs which the talented shutterbug took of [Harlem] residents between 1990 and 2012. His impromptu snapshots capture colorful subjects with a tremendous range in terms of fashion tastes, personal interests and even emotions…. From a Freemason rocking a funky fez, to a flag-waving patriot, to a boy hugging his basketball, to an aspiring ballerina in a tutu, to churchgoers strutting in their Sunday best, this visual history of a rapidly-disappearing demographic weaves a telling tapestry of a once-cohesive community.” – Kam Williams, critic

“There’s a fine old Sly and the Family Stone song called “Everyday People,” and that title just might fit noted street photographer Stein’s latest book, a follow-up to “Coney Island: Forty Years.” His photos, from 1990 to 2012, and shot usually no more than three feet from his subject, include school kids, cool kids, African immigrants, churchgoers, teens with baseball caps, parents, bodega works, and more.” – New York Post, Required Reading, October 13, 2013

“Harlem Street Portraits by Harvey Stein is visually stunning. The book epitomizes the statement “a picture is worth a 1000 words. Each photo conveys the essence of the subject. Some are hauntingly sad while others convey the essence of pure joy. From the young to the old are showcased throughout the rich black and white photographs. It’s the kind of book that you can pick up anytime and experience different emotions as you journey through this rich collection of work.” – Ebony Mom Politics.

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