Projects: North Philadelphia Colors: North Philadelphia Colors

It was the photographer Marvi Lacar who first peaked my interest in North Philadelphia. Her enthusiasm for that section of the city was contagious. We were both photographers working at Philadelphia Inquirer at the time, she an intern, and I, a staff member. Whenever Marvi had a spare moment, she would announce “I’m headed to North Philly.” North Philadelphia is at once the poorest, most blighted section of the city, and, at the same time contains some of its richest history. It soon became clear that resident’s spirit to improve their neighborhoods even modestly was firmly rooted. The pockets of homes, corner stores and bodegas painted in the most saturated pallet were an inspiration. Even in Badlands, North Philadelphia’s most notorious section, there were scattered homes whose bright colors defied the surroundings of abandoned buildings and vacant lots. The quality of light has always been a defining element of my work. At the Inquirer, I would eagerly volunteer to shoot the early morning assignments knowing that a key component would be the dramatic early morning light. This remained true as I began photographing North Philadelphia. Unlike the moody, or ethereal lighting that characterized earlier projects, the architecture led me to pursue strong side lighting that enhanced the detailed brick and wood work adorning many of the facades bringing them into relief. I want to create photographs that celebrate resident’s creative spirit and inherent dignity that flourishes in the often-severe North Philadelphia environment.
North Philadelphia Colors

It was the photographer Marvi Lacar who first peaked my interest in North Philadelphia. Her enthusiasm for that section of the city was contagious. We were both photographers working at Philadelphia Inquirer at the time, she an intern, and I, a staff member. Whenever Marvi had a spare moment, she would announce “I’m headed to North Philly.”  

North Philadelphia is at once the poorest, most blighted section of the city, and, at the same time contains some of its richest history. It soon became clear that resident’s spirit to improve their neighborhoods even modestly was firmly rooted. The pockets of homes, corner stores and bodegas painted in the most saturated pallet were an inspiration. Even in Badlands, North Philadelphia’s most notorious section, there were scattered homes whose bright colors defied the surroundings of abandoned buildings and vacant lots. 

The quality of light has always been a defining element of my work. At the Inquirer, I would eagerly volunteer to shoot the early morning assignments knowing that a key component would be the dramatic early morning light. This remained true as I began photographing North Philadelphia. Unlike the moody, or ethereal lighting that characterized earlier projects, the architecture led me to pursue strong side lighting that enhanced the detailed brick and wood work adorning many of the facades bringing them into relief. 

I want to create photographs that celebrate resident’s creative spirit and inherent dignity that flourishes in the often-severe North Philadelphia environment.