Brownie By David Katzenstein

Between 1979 and 1989 the American photographer, David Katzenstein used a series of Kodak Duaflex cameras, the first of which he purchased at a yard sale in 1975. Brownie (Hirmer; September 19, 2025, $55) represents the culmination of ten years experimenting with color photography and using the limitations of the camera as a way to expand his creative boundaries.

Paying homage to the Kodak Brownie camera that was originally introduced in 1900 and meant to bring photography to the masses, Katzenstein used the second generation, the Kodak Duaflex which was introduced in 1947. He began shooting with the camera in New York City in 1979 and 1980 before taking it on the road with him to places in Latin America and North Africa throughout the 1980s.


Brownie showcases how the cameraʼs simplicity became Katzensteinʼs greatest asset. The fixed-focus lens and square format gives the images an ethereal quality and nostalgic warmth. The square format forced him to experiment with composition and play with the juxtaposition of foreground and background subject matter. He was also influenced by painters like Pierre Bonnard and Henri Matisse, for their use of bold colo and their unique arrangement of space.

This collection celebrates serendipity and artistic vision, demonstrating how constraints can lead to creative breakthroughs. Katzensteinʼs photographs invite readers to explore the boundaries between documentation and artistic interpretation, revealing how technical limitations became creative possibilities. His work challenges our perceptions of photography, reminding us that true vision lies in embracing constraints.

Wrapped in a luxurious brown linen with a tipped-in image, Brownie serves as a vivid and thoughtful addition to the photographic canon. It includes an introduction by Richard Grosbard, a photography collector and an advisor to the Muus Collection.


About the author:
David Katzenstein is a New York based photographer, who throughout his career has traveled the world to visually chronicle humanity. He was a contributor to Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and Conde Nast Traveler. In 2018, he formed the nonprofit organization, The Human Experience Project, that creates content to support the mission of organizations who work to inspire lifelong learning and strengthen our communities. He is also the managing editor of the Barkley L. Hendricks Photography Archive. His previous books include Ritual (2022) and Distant Journeys (2024).
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