Philadelphia Past & Present

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For my first photo assignment I have to locate 10 photos from Philadelphia's past. The original 10 photographs are at least 60 years old; I decided to focus on Philly's beautiful Old City. After some complications in the equipment room, I was finally able to rent a Nikon D40 and I began shooting on Friday around 4pm. I raced down to Chestnut st only to realize the meters in Old City only accept quarters. I questioned a man standing in a doorway but his hands emerged empty from his pockets. I ran around the corner to a dry cleaner, after spilling my story the tailor changed my $5 but only gave me one dollar in quarters! A quarter only buys you 8 minutes on Front and Chestnut.
While I was getting my papers in order and preparing to hunt for my first site, I saw a man who seemed lost or in search of something.I was not any help to him, but after we started talking about my agenda I must have mentioned my parking meter situation. The next thing I knew this new friend was offering to feed the meter for me.
It is refreshing to meet friendly strangers in such a large and usually grumpy city. After Juan filled the parking meter we started talking. Juan recognized the name of my hometown, Shamokin, I was shocked and happy. I love meeting new people and Juan really made my Friday. I encourage everyone to spark up conversation if the opportunity arises.
One thing I mentioned to him was The Oxford Project. The pictures first grabbed my attention, but I really enjoyed reading everyone's story that accompanied their pictures. Go get lost in the small town of Oxford.

Back to the assignment...
I shot Chestnut and Market streets on Friday from 4 until sundown. Saturday I woke up at 2pm and did exactly the same thing on Walnut street. I like the cool feeling of all the photos, I wanted the focus to be the buildings and landmarks. I don't want the distraction of color in the second set of photos. All the archives are black and white so I thought it would be interesting to focus on the present in the same way.


Top: Looking SW standing on the NE corner of Front and Chestnut streets.
-Unknown, 1843.
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.


Top: Looking West from Third and Chestnut streets.
-Newell, 1885
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.
Top: Carpenter's Hall, Southside of Chestnut, below Fourth street.
-Richards, 1855.
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.


Top: Philadelphia Bank, Fourth and Chestnut streets.
-Unknown, 1859.
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.



Top: R. Smith's Brewery, Fifth & Market streets
-Richards, 1859.
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.

Top: London Coffee House, SW corner of Front and Market, standing on the NE corner.
-James E.
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.

Top: Also Front, a few steps north of Market looking at the NW corner and south side of Market.
-Richars & Betts, 1859
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.


Top: The Exchange Building, looking NE from Walnut and Dock St.
-Boyd, 1915.
Bottom: -Schu, 2009.

Top: The Irwin Building, Looking at SW corner of Fourth and Walnut from the NE corner.
-Hess, 1931
Bottom: -Schu, January 2009


Top: South side of Third and Walnut streets.
-Rolston, 1915.
Bottom: I wasn't really pleased with this one, the parked car doesn't do much for the photo either.
-Schu, 2009.

Lastly, a photo that caught my eye.
I like the clouds and the deserted street, the only residents are a bike and a mac truck.

300 Walnut street, photographer unknown, 1971


I now realize I have spent the last 3.5 hours sitting at this computer. My back and eyes hurt, I never knew posting was so time consuming. It is 4am *Goodnight!