A woman from North Philadelphia stands at 23rd Street and West Montgomery Avenue in 2008. Photographer Daniel Troub's new book, "North Philadelphia," profiles a struggling area that he says is ripe with beauty and possibility.
Faces, places in North Philadelphia —
A woman from North Philadelphia stands at 23rd Street and West Montgomery Avenue in 2008. Photographer Daniel Troub's new book, "North Philadelphia," profiles a struggling area that he says is ripe with beauty and possibility.
Daniel Traub
A corner of Ridge Avenue, near Francis Street, in 2008. Traub explored the area from 2008 to 2013, returning to a place he had visited with his mother as a child.
Faces, places in North Philadelphia —
A corner of Ridge Avenue, near Francis Street, in 2008. Traub explored the area from 2008 to 2013, returning to a place he had visited with his mother as a child.
Daniel Traub
"People thought I was a surveyor or real estate developer," said Traub, who used a large-format camera. "But for the most part, when I told them what I was doing, they were quite open and welcoming -- happy that someone was taking interest in the neighborhood."
"People thought I was a surveyor or real estate developer," said Traub, who used a large-format camera. "But for the most part, when I told them what I was doing, they were quite open and welcoming -- happy that someone was taking interest in the neighborhood."
Daniel Traub
A tree on West Norris Street, near North Croskey Street, in 2013.
Faces, places in North Philadelphia —
A tree on West Norris Street, near North Croskey Street, in 2013.
Daniel Traub
The World Prayer Center on North 29th Street.
The World Prayer Center on North 29th Street.
Daniel Traub
A Qing Ming Jie (Ancestors Day) offering outside a Chinese takeout restaurant on the corner of North 21st and West Diamond, in 2010.
Faces, places in North Philadelphia —
A Qing Ming Jie (Ancestors Day) offering outside a Chinese takeout restaurant on the corner of North 21st and West Diamond, in 2010.
Daniel Traub
Traub's choice of subjects reflected his personal experience in the area. North Philadelphia has both significant African-American and Hispanic populations, but Traub -- of German-Jewish and Chinese heritage -- focused on black residents and neighborhoods.
Traub's choice of subjects reflected his personal experience in the area. North Philadelphia has both significant African-American and Hispanic populations, but Traub -- of German-Jewish and Chinese heritage -- focused on black residents and neighborhoods.
Daniel Traub
A tree at 38th and Pennsgrove Streets.
A tree at 38th and Pennsgrove Streets.
Daniel Traub
Row houses at 37th and Aspen Streets.
Row houses at 37th and Aspen Streets.
Daniel Traub
The corner of Cecil B. Moore Avenue and North 22nd Street, in 2008.
Faces, places in North Philadelphia —
The corner of Cecil B. Moore Avenue and North 22nd Street, in 2008.
Daniel Traub
A restaurant on West Girard Avenue, near North 40th Street.
A restaurant on West Girard Avenue, near North 40th Street.
Daniel Traub
"On one hand (the area) is ignored and in decline, but it also is a place of tremendous possibility and great human resources -- people who are marginalized but also have a tremendous amount to offer," Traub said.
"On one hand (the area) is ignored and in decline, but it also is a place of tremendous possibility and great human resources -- people who are marginalized but also have a tremendous amount to offer," Traub said.
Daniel Traub
A vacant lot on Cecil B. Moore Avenue near North Marston Street, in 2010.
Faces, places in North Philadelphia —
A vacant lot on Cecil B. Moore Avenue near North Marston Street, in 2010.
Daniel Traub