Documentary Photography

Life of A Colleague-Wendy B

2009-04-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxyE24WUcKs

Life Of A Colleague

2009-04-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

My World

2009-03-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

Crayola Colors...Philly A to Z

2009-02-17T07:14:00.001-08:00

Philadelphia A to Z:
For this assignment I decided to stick with the theme of color. I took a visit to the Crayola website and found their very long list of shades. For the most part every letter had a color to go along with it minus a couple such as Z, Q, X, and K. For these letters I became a bit inventive and made up my own terminology and decided what certain colors should be, in my mind anwyay. I stuck close to home for this one and shot around my neighborhood. It turns out that I have some pretty colorful trash in my area! The photos that follow have the most minimal work done on them so the viewer is able to see the shades exactly how they met my eye when the photo was taken. Also, the color which is being focused on lies predominantly within the corners of the photos.

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A is for Aquamarine

B is for Black

C is for Copper

D is for Dandelion

E is for Electric Lime

F is for Fuzzy Wuzzy Brown

G is for Green

H is for Hot Magenta

I is for Inch Worm (green family)

J is for Jazzberry Jam (purple family)

K is for Kangaroo Brown

L is for Light Blue

M is for Maroon

N is for Neon Carrot

O is for Outer Space (gray family)

P is for Pink

Q is for Quarantine Green

R is for Red

S is for Sky Blue

T is for Tan

U is for Unmellow Yellow

V is Violet

W is for White

X is for X-Rated Red

Y is for Yellow

Z is for Zebra Stripe Black &White

Race Street: River to River

2009-02-09T15:58:00.001-08:00

Mapping Race Street: In My Eyes
For this assignment, I had many ideas floating through my head about how I would go about shooting my street. I considered doing an "eye-spy" theme, where an object of my choice would be hidden in every photo, but then I figured I'd be spending more time on where to put the object rather than shooting. Then I thought about shapes and then I thought about doing natural framing until finally, I stopped thinking about it. I arrived at the Schuylkill River around 2:15 p.m. on a Monday afternoon and the theme for my venture just sort of hit me. I chose to shoot the way I walk. I grew up in Philly and have been here for close to 23 years. All of the attractions and architecture is amazing, but its the smaller things during my walks around the city that make me fall in love with this place over and over again. I shot whatever I found interesting during my time on Race St. I think that most people are already roughly familiar with the popular tourist attractions and deserve another look at their city. So, here it is- another view of the city (at least one part of it anyway) through my eyes.

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Stop 1- 2:27 p.m.
The Schuylkill Banks at the River and Race St. View from a quiet park bench across the Schuylkill River. Not visible in the photo is Route 76 and the Art Museum to the right.

Stop 2- 2:29 p.m.
This shot was also taken on the Schuylkill Banks. I found the rail interesting the way it curved and seemed like it went all the way up to the Art Museum.

Stop 3- 2:32 p.m.
Train tracks in between the river banks and the residential area.

Stop 4- 2:34 p.m.
Pipes connected to gas meters.

Stop 5- 2:36 p.m.
Construction area at 23rd St. and Race St. This scaffolding was set up next to a residential building being worked on.

Stop 6- 2:40 p.m.
Northwest shot of houses and apartment complexes at 22nd and Race Streets.

Stop 7- 2:44 p.m.
Detailed shot of the gateway leading to a playground behind the Franklin Institute at 21st and Race Streets.

Stop 8- 2:45
Yes, I am sure you are just as shocked as I was because that is indeed a dinosaur! This dino resides at the playground behind the Franklin Institute on Race St. between 21st and 20th Sts.

Stop 9- 2:46
Shadows, tree branches, and fire escapes oh my! This scene was on the side of a building at 2028 Race St.

Stop 10- 2:50 p.m.
The closer I got to Logan Circle, the harder it was to shoot. The buildings are tall but nothing seems too interesting at times. These buildings caught my eye because of how many different shapes are involved. This is a Southwest view of Center City from 20th and Race Sts.

Stop 11- 2:52 p.m.
Many things in the city tend to repeat, but these three stoplights look like a gang of lights in my mind, at 19th and Race Sts.

Stop 12- 2:54 p.m.
Detailed shot of a tree at 19th and Race Sts.

Stop 13- 2:57 p.m.
Shot looking up at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul at 18th and Race Sts.

Stop 14- 2:58 p.m.
Jesus breaking bread, on the Northeast corner of 18th and Race Sts. The statue rests in grass to the right of Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral.

Stop 15- 3:02 p.m.
A statue of Jesus on the cross behind St. Elizabeth Catholic Church at 17th and Race Sts.

Stop 16- 3:04
I got to the corner and I looked down, and this is what I saw, a huge footprint all by it's lonesome at Race Sts.

Stop 17- 3:05 p.m.
I really couldn't help myself, but the print on the man's pants and the print of his bag mixing just made me laugh, I needed a photo of it, on Race St. between 16th and 17th Sts. in front of Drexel's Barnes and Nobles.

Stop 18- 3:09 p.m.
On the Northeast corner of 15th and Race Sts. next to Hahnemann Hospital.

Stop 19- 3:13 p.m.
On the Southwest corner of Broad and Race Sts. there was a lot going on, too much going on, and for some reason this dangling foot just caught my eye.

Stop 20- 3:19
At Clarion and Race Sts. there was tons of construction going on at the right side of Race St., for the newly renovated Convention Center. To the left, is an innocent little hideout for birds that includes a white picket fence, plants, bushes and flowers just behind the Hampton Inn.

Stop 21- 3:21 p.m.
A fire hydrant at 13th and Race Streets.

Stop 22- 3:27 p.m.
The Chase Lounge at 1201 Race St., the first restaurant I have ever seen with its name on the awning above every one's head.

Stop 23- 3:31 p.m.
Parking Garage on the Northeast corner of 11th and Race Streets, right where Chinatown begins on Race St.

Stop 24- 3:33 p.m.
Statue out front of TenTen Race Street Apartments. He caught my eye from across the street, it looked as if he had blood dripping from his mouth.

Stop 25- 3:35
If I hadn't been paying such close attention to a statue, I would have been able to get a better shot of a dragon with children's legs! Out front of 1006 Race St.

Stop 26- 3:36 p.m.
Not only is it one of the best places to eat, but the sign at David's noodle house never fails to catch my eye, located at 10th and Race Streets.

Stop 27- 3:38 p.m.
I couldn't help but laugh when I passed a store selling Chinese ornaments, toys, and gifts only to see a Scarface plaque oddly out of place in the window at 917 Race Street.

Stop 28- 3:40 p.m.
A crab in a tank waiting to be someone's meal at H.K. Golden Pheonix Resturaunt at 907 Race St.

Stop 29- 3:41 p.m.
In the age of technology, you know its sad when I get a kick out of seeing a phone booth at 9th and Race Streets.

Stop 30- 3:46 p.m.
Police Headqurters at 8th and Race Streets.

Stop 31- 3:48 p.m.
This is just a vent on top of a building, but it reminded me of a giant cheese curl located at 7th and Race. Mmm.

Stop 32- 3:55 p.m.
The 5th Street pass for local traffic at 5th and Race Sts.

Stop 33- 3:57 p.m.
I was walking and the only other thing on Race St. was this little pair of random safety goggles, right past 5th St.

Stop 34- 3:58 p.m.
A view of the Ben Franklin Bridge from the right side just before 4th and Race Streets.

Stop 35- 4:04 p.m.
Wexler Gallery window at 3rd and Race Streets.

Stop 36- 4:08 p.m.
A view looking up, standing under I-95 and the Ben Franklin Bridge, just past 2nd and Race Streets.

Stop 37- 4:12 p.m.
The Ben Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River, just before Columbus Blvd. and Race Street.

** A PHOTO WAS TAKEN FOR 6TH AND RACE BUT I CHOSE NOT TO POST IT BECAUSE THE QUALITY IS VERY POOR AND I FEEL THAT IT WOULD BE AN EMBARASSMENT TO HAVE IT ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB FOR ALL TO SEE**

12 at Boathouse Row

2009-02-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

12 at Boathouse Row: Nice Weather Ties Us Together

Lately, Philadelphia has been experiencing some pretty brutal weather; ice, snow, sleet, rain, and of course, extremely cold temperatures. So, when February in Philly is blessed with a day of "warm", sunny weather, not many people stay inside. This is especially true at Boathouse Row. Plenty of people were out and about and everyone I spoke to said just about the same thing as to why they were out: It's too nice to stay inside, I had to take a walk...

Regina Wecco, 22, Valet
Regina is from New Jersey but currently lives in Strawberry Mansion. She attends the Art Institute and works at Loews as a valet. She didn't have class for a little while so she decided to take advantage of the nice weather, "I just had to get a walk in".

Nick Delorenzo, 21, Full-time student
Nick is originally from Bensalem and currently lives in Fairmount. He studies News Journalism at Temple University. He decided since he had the afternoon off, "It would be a perfect day for a bike ride".

Alanna Bozman, 35, Gardener

Alanna, along with several of her friends, figured today was too nice to just stay inside. Originally from North Philadelphia, Alanna currently lives in West Philadelphia.

Corrie McDonald, 24, Baker

Corrie works as a baker at Four Worlds Bakery. She hails from Virginia Beach and decided to move to Philadelphia because of friends. When I approached Corrie to take a photo, she was more than abliged to strike her best pose for the camera after exclaiming, "It's just too damn nice out!".

Billy Girand, 22, Mason Assistant

Billy attempted to out pose his friend Corrie who was definitely a hard act to follow. He is from Vermont and also moved to Philadelphia to be closer to friends. After seeing how much fun he had posing for me with his friends, its no suprise that friends would be a reason for traveling.

Karen Meidlinger, 36, At-Home Mom (currently on maternity leave) & Vivian Mella, 51, Friend to Karen
Karen arrived in Philadelphia as an exchange student years ago and decided to stay when she met an American, fell in love and got married. She is originally from Swaziland and enjoyed showing off her children. Vivian is from the Phillipenes and moved to Philadelphia in 2007 to be with her husband who came here for work reasons.

Ginny Hayes, 68, Retired 1st Grade Teacher
Ginny grew up in the East Falls part of Philadelphia and enjoys coming to Boathouse Row when the weather is nice. She was enjoying listening to a public radio talk show that was currently discussing the recent birth of octuplets. "I like to hear what other people have to say about what's going on".

Roger Stronach, 19, Full-time Student

Roger is from Smithfield, VA and moved to Philadelphia in order to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. "This is the first day it has been...not freezing, so here I am- running".

Alex Gershon, 19, Full-time student

Alex moved to Philly in order to study International Relations and history. He is from Ashville, NC and said that he is out, "just running".

Ernie Simon, 58, Flower Vendor
Ernie has many passions and desires and obviously loved to talk. He is often at Boathouse Row, sometimes selling flowers, but today he was just washing his car. He spoke of his life when he lived up the mountains and explained how different the people can be. "People are down to earth up there, but they are always in your business". He moved up there for economic reasons and thinks that one day he may go back but said, "I'll go to a different town...you have to look around, it's like ring around the rosie up there!".

Omar Gonzalez, 23, Grad Student
Omar is from Puerto Rico and also came to Philadelphia in order to go to the University of Pennsylvania because he knew it was a good school. Omar enjoyed the weather and his walk because as a full-time grad student, there isn't much time for anything but school. When asked if he had a job he laughed and said, "No...I said I'm a grad student".

Roger Hammond, 63, Retired Construction Worker
Roger is from South Philadelphia and has lived there all of his life. He seemed flattered to be a part of the project and had no problem helping out. Now that he is retired, one thing in his life is very important, "exercise!".

Philadelphia: Past and Present

2009-01-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia: Past and Present

For this particular project we were asked to find ten archive photos of Philadelphia that were at least sixty years old and take ten new photos to show the change and affects of time. While searching through the archives I decided to focus on churches. I have spent a lot of time walking through Old City and love looking at the old graves and churches within the neighborhood because of how historic those places are. Because I was already familiar with how old some of Philadelphia's churches are, this led to be my inspiration. While shooting the project I realized that while many things have been preserved in Philadelphia, not all of my churches were as lucky. One did not exist, a couple steeples are no longer even though the church is holding up, and one church house has been turned into a law firm. I hope you enjoy my old and new view of these 10 churches and if you wish to visit them, just follow the map!

1. Zion Lutheran Church
4th and Cherry Streets

The photo to the left was taken in 1868 by an unknown photographer. The original church was located at 4th and Cherry Streets but the newly renovated church now resides at 4th and Arch Streets.

2. First Independent Presbyterian Church (Chamber's Church)
Broad and Sansom Streets

The photo on the left was taken in 1856 by McClees and Germon. Since the original photo, the church has been taken down and replaced with what you see to the right; a bank, some stores and restaurants. The new photos show what every corner at Broad and Sansom Streets looks like today.

3. Episcopal Church House
1125 Walnut St. (12th and Walnut Streets)

The original photo on the left was taken in 1922 by Frank H. Taylor. The new photo looks almost identical, but is now home to a law firm.

4. St. Mark's Church
16th and Locust Streets

The photo on the left was taken in 1868 by an unknown photographer.

5. Masonic Temple
Broad and Filbert Streets (Northeast corner)

The original photo was taken in 1902 by an unknown photographer. While the shot is similar, the new photo was shot looking up as opposed to looking down like the original.

6. St. Clement's Church
20th and Appletree Streets

The original photo on the left was taken in 1865 by an unknown photographer. While much of the church has not changed, the steeple is sadly no more.

7. Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
18th and Race Streets (18th at Logan Square)

The original photo on the left was taken in 1902 by an unknown photographer. The cathedral seems not to have changed and still to this day houses some of the most well known police funerals in Philadelphia to date.

8. St. Peter's Church
3rd and Pine Streets

The original photo was taken in 1870 by William Herman. The church seems like it has not changed a bit, unfortunately I could not obtain a higher camera angle.

9. Presbyterian Church
4th and Pine Streets

The original photo was taken in 1868 by an unknown photographer.

10. Gloria Dei Old Swede's Church
Swanson St. near Christian St.

The original photo was taken in 1854 by Richards and Betts.

All of the archive photos can be found at: http://libwww.library.phila.gov/hip/HIPLst.cfm?searchKey=0610164837

Google Map of Churches in Philadelphia:

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2009-01-26T15:13:00.001-08:00