More than 100 of photojournalist Richard F. Bellak's never-before-seen Woodstock photographs have been published ahead of the festival's 50th anniversary. Scroll through to see more of Bellak's images.
More than 100 of photojournalist Richard F. Bellak's never-before-seen Woodstock photographs have been published ahead of the festival's 50th anniversary. Scroll through to see more of Bellak's images.
Richard Bellak
Artist and professor John Kane, who was researching the festival for a book, purchased the negatives at an auction of the late photographer's estate.
Artist and professor John Kane, who was researching the festival for a book, purchased the negatives at an auction of the late photographer's estate.
Richard Bellak
This week marks 50 years since the festival, considered one of the most important events in the history of American counterculture.
This week marks 50 years since the festival, considered one of the most important events in the history of American counterculture.
Richard Bellak
The festival saw hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers descended on a farm in Bethel, New York.<br />
The festival saw hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers descended on a farm in Bethel, New York.
Richard Bellak
Bellak was one of just a handful of "professional-level" photographers to have captured the event.
Bellak was one of just a handful of "professional-level" photographers to have captured the event.
Richard Bellak
"These photos are all about peace, kindness and the camaraderie that took place on August 15-17, 1969," Bellak wrote of his pictures. "Now Woodstock is a metaphor for the way it really was. But I believe it is the way it can be."
"These photos are all about peace, kindness and the camaraderie that took place on August 15-17, 1969," Bellak wrote of his pictures. "Now Woodstock is a metaphor for the way it really was. But I believe it is the way it can be."
Richard Bellak
The images show attendees hanging out, watching bands and preparing camps, while documenting the deterioration of the muddy site over the course of five days.
The images show attendees hanging out, watching bands and preparing camps, while documenting the deterioration of the muddy site over the course of five days.
Richard Bellak
The photographs focus on the festival's attendees, rather than the big-name performers.
The photographs focus on the festival's attendees, rather than the big-name performers.
Richard Bellak
Bellak's photographs capture a more diverse crowd than is often associated with the festival, Kane said.
Bellak's photographs capture a more diverse crowd than is often associated with the festival, Kane said.
Richard Bellak
It's estimated that around 400,000 people showed up to the festival.
It's estimated that around 400,000 people showed up to the festival.
Richard Bellak
Bellak took a series of nighttime images, which were especially difficult to capture using cameras from the time.
Bellak took a series of nighttime images, which were especially difficult to capture using cameras from the time.
Richard Bellak
Bellak captured festivalgoers arriving at the site.
Bellak captured festivalgoers arriving at the site.
Richard Bellak
"You can almost sense that Bellak is tiptoeing around these sleeping encampments," said John Kane, who purchased the images at an auction. "The silence in those photos really speaks to you."
"You can almost sense that Bellak is tiptoeing around these sleeping encampments," said John Kane, who purchased the images at an auction. "The silence in those photos really speaks to you."
Richard Bellak
Bellak died in 2015 having never published his images from Woodstock.
Bellak died in 2015 having never published his images from Woodstock.
Richard Bellak
Although high-profile acts like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane all played Woodstock, Bellak appears to have been more interested by the crowd.
Although high-profile acts like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane all played Woodstock, Bellak appears to have been more interested by the crowd.
Richard Bellak
"Pilgrims of Woodstock," published by Red Lightning Books, is available now.
"Pilgrims of Woodstock," published by Red Lightning Books, is available now.
Red Lightning Books