The other week I was tasked with exploring the genre of street photography for one of my photo classes. I pulled a classic overworked-college-student for this assignment, not only waiting until the last minute to do the work but also doing hardly any prior planning or research. I just headed on the SEPTA train into Center City for a few hours. I knew I wanted to arrive and leave from Jefferson Station, which is where Reading Terminal Market is located, but that’s about it.
I’ve been to Philadelphia many times, but almost always for a specific purpose—whether it was for an event or going to one of the many museums. For this assignment, my grand plan was no plan at all. My goal was just to wander around, have a fun adventure, and hopefully get some good photos out of it.
In retrospect, this approach is one I would highly recommend. I ended up following whatever direction seemed interesting at the time, passing through overlooked neighborhoods and seeing some cool little pieces of Philly that I’ve never seen before. This experience of doing street photography forced me to look around Philadelphia in ways I hadn’t before. If you get nothing else out of this photo series, I hope it reminds you to let yourself wander every once in a while.
A musician plays outside of Reading Terminal Market
Two boys play across the street
A Bicycle Wheel
A group waits outside Independence Hall
A man walks his dog, Philadelphia historic district
At a street-side event, near City Hall
A woman exits the subway at Dilworth Park, Center City
A woman walks along a secluded street, nearby Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia
