Harvey Stein – Turn a long-term project into a book

Harvey Stein specializes in long term projects. He believes in accumulating work on a variety of themes over the course of several years and then piecing them together to create a project. His long term projects generally culminate in a photobook. Some themes he’s published books on are twins, death and life in Mexico, movement on Italian streets, Harlem street portraits, and the list goes on. His newest book is called Coney Island People: 50 Years, 1970–2020 and you can preorder it here.

In this episode of the podcast, we talked about Harvey’s 50 years shooting Coney Island and the resulting photo book, how to stay organized when you have projects that take years or even decades to complete, and how to keep finding points of interest when you go back to the same places time and time again. If you are working on a project or planning one, Harvey’s words will no doubt give you some good food for thought as you build your body of work.

In addition to being a photographer and author, Harvey is also a teacher, lecturer, and curator so you can be sure there is much to learn from him. And not only is he knowledgeable, he’s a down-to-earth guy who is easy to talk (and listen) to. We know you’re going to enjoy this interview.

Street Photography Magazine subscribers be sure to see Virginia Hines’ article about Harvey’s 50 Years shooting Coney Island here the article about Harvey’s new book.

A Few of Harvey’s Coney Island Photos

Links form the Show

• Harvey’s New Book – Coney Island People 50 Years
• Harvey’s Website

We’ll be publishing more images from Harvey’s new photo book along with an amazing essay by Virginia Hines in this month’s issue of Street Photography Magazine. Keep an eye out for it this Sunday!