Irving Greines
Irving Greines, an 83-year-old street photographer based in Los Angeles, has spent the last thirty-five years honing his craft by creating fine art images in the gritty, decayed urban landscapes of America’s major cities. Known for his unique ability to find beauty in blighted, graffiti-covered areas, Irving has turned environments often considered ugly and seedy into visually compelling works of art. Armed with minimal gear, he walks the streets, roaming with no predetermined path, in search of moments where the incongruous elements of beauty and decay come together in harmonious transformation. The Washington Post has praised his work for capturing “the beauty of ugliness” and revealing “beauty amid ugliness,” a testament to his extraordinary eye for finding art in the most unexpected places.
For many years, Irving focused on these urban landscapes, resisting the pull to document the growing population of unhoused people living within these environments. However, about eight years ago, he could no longer ignore the deep human element present in these spaces. He began to document the lives of the unhoused, launching the deeply moving series titled “The Street People.”
Through this work, Irving brings a human face to the urban decay he has long photographed, spotlighting the humanity that perseveres in the margins of society. His documentation of these individuals is deeply respectful and empathetic, driven not by profit but by a desire to create a visual record of lives that are often overlooked. Irving has made a conscious decision to never sell or profit from these images, ensuring that their purpose remains focused on raising awareness and honoring the subjects he photographs.
Irving Greines’ work is recognized not only for its artistic merit but for its cultural significance. His images are held in the permanent collections of several prominent institutions, a reflection of the enduring impact of his vision. These collections include The Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas, Austin; The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in San Diego; The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA); The Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York; The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; and the personal collection of renowned philanthropists Eli and Edith Broad.
Irving’s career has been defined by his unwavering commitment to art, humanity, and social consciousness. Through his transformative lens, he continues to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and foster a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between beauty and despair in modern urban life.
Irving’s images have been published as follows:
• Shadow & Light Magazine: B&W Showcase, Mini Portfolio, November/December 2021; Editor’s Choice, September 2021; Single Image Showcase, March/April 2021; September/October 2020, March/April 2019; Portraits, September/October 2019; Portfolios, March/April 2018, May/June 2015
• Pasatiempo, The New Mexican, September 2014
• Los Angeles Daily Journal, May 2014
• L.A. Weekly, May 2013
• L.A. Business Journal, March 2012
• Color Magazine, January 2009 (Premiere Issue)
• Camera Arts Magazine, January-February 2007
• The Washington Post, February 27, 2000
• Popular Photography Magazine, June 1996
• Camera & Darkroom Magazine, February 1994, February 1993, August 1993
• Hasselblad Forum Magazine, February 1993, February 1992
