Philadelphia Past and Present

I really enjoyed this assignment of finding old photographs and then studying them for their composition, point of view, light, meaning and exact location. It forced me to scrutinize and focus on minute details. More importantly this assignment naturally called on documenting the changes since the lapse of at least 30 years. I chose to focus on the Kensington area of Philadelphia since I knew this section in particular has experienced a great deal of change throughout the last few decades. I was able to capture some dilapidated row homes that unfortunately mark most of Kensington today.

January 24, 1942
Tulip & Susquehanna Avenue



January 24, 2006
Exactly sixty-four years after this original photograph was taken, the site of Tulip & Susquehanna now serves as a Baptist Church and no longer a post office.

October 4, 1977
The corner of "K & A".



January 22, 2006
A new hire hydrant, an updated lamppost and a fresh pavement complete with pigeon tracks mark the changes of this famous intersection within Kensington.

October 14, 1977
"A view from beneath the Market-Frankfort elevated train in the Kensington section in Philadelphia."



January 22, 2006
Cars show the 29 years that have passed in the same Kensington Section dominated by the "el".

October 4, 1977
Kensington Christian Church
2800 Block of North Front Street



January 22, 2006
A Christian Church still stands as it did in 1977 in Kensington.

February 15, 1976
"Shoppers board bus at the busy intersection of Kensington and Allegheny Avenues."



January 22, 2006
Those relying on public transportation board a crowded SEPTA bus at the corner of Kensington and Allegheny Avenues.

February 15, 1956
1800 block of East Albert Street, Kensington



January 22, 2006
Half abandoned, the 1800 block of East Albert Street now reflects a decline in industry and economic stability that blights nearly all of Kensington today. It looks as though the windows of Albert Street have not been washed since the winter of 1956.

Hello Blog World! My first post is me hittin the slopes in Vermont over break and the second is from Ireland where I spent last semester. More to come ...