For better or worse, the community of Mantua and Belmont was under change as they neighbor two universities, that is Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. This project serves as a survey to find out what the local communities are like and what locals think about this change.

By walking around the neighborhood with a 4x5 camera on my shoulder, I was able to talk to locals on such topics, and I have a glimpse of what makes up the community. I attended a church service after a warm invitation from a mother; I talked to people who lived here for decades, people who not long ago moved here for affordable housing, people who moved out for better opportunities but are still attached to the community, and more from younger to older generations with different occupations; and more importantly, I observed while exploring.

In a way, the increase in students made the community safer, for the investment in safety changed a community to a space where it is welcoming people who are not familiar with it. An increase in students also means an increase in housing needs. One doesn’t need to walk far to notice all the so-called “gentrification buildings” being built; they are ugly, boring buildings with the only purpose of serving the people inside without providing any aesthetic to the outside. Juxtaposed to some rather unique buildings, I cannot help but feel parts of the identities of the community have been fading. One could argue such gentrification buildings are cheaper and are able to serve more people, but what makes a community unique also appears with the vernacular of a place, and such unique buildings were replaced by those soulless buildings.

Churches are the backbone of the community. They are a center for gatherings every Sunday and occasionally a few events during the week. I felt a great sense of togetherness from observing, for they focus on feeling connected to their beliefs through Bible studies and feeling connected to each other through participation in music playing.

Time moves, change follows. The only constant we could comprehend at the moment doesn’t sympathize with our personal ideals, never mind the billions of individual human consciousnesses. My hope is to record the community as it is in 2025. I don’t wish to be a culture critic.

All images were made with 4x5 negatives, printed on silver gelatin paper.

West Philadelphia

Night Light

SnapShots from 2025