Update!

Like usual, I’ve neglected my blog for way too long. It’s been a pretty crazy few months if I can say so myself. I started exploring and photographing abandoned buildings, got really into historical preservation, and made a lot of great connections here in Philadelphia.

My photos of the derelict Church of the Assumption, Divine Lorraine Hotel, and Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House have been featured on Conrad Benner’s Streets Dept blog, along with Architect Magazine and Curbed Philly. 

On top of that, I explored the massive undeveloped tunnel system that runs for seven blocks beneath Pennsylvania Avenue. I forgot to bring a flashlight with me for that one, but it seemed to work out alright.

Stay tuned for the next time I decide to update my blog. I haven’t sat down to a good documentary in quite a while, so I feel like it’s about time to bring back my documentary spotlight column. I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, check out some of my recent Philadelphia/NYC photography on Instagram, and follow me on Twitter for some cool architecture links and other random stuff.

More Great Spots to Instagram From in Philadelphia

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 2 MINUTES

This morning a coworker sent me a link to a @StreetsDept blog post highlighting the 15 best spots to Instagram from in Philly (in no particular order). He’s got some great shots/locations, including the Divine Lorraine (dying to check this place out) and the Reading Viaduct, but I’ve got a few more locations I’ve Instagrammed around Center City that are worth checking out for yourself.

1. The Comcast Center

2. Washington Square Park

3. The Drake (15th & Spruce)

4. Center City Churches

5. From the Art Museum

6. Ben Franklin Bridge / Race Street Pier

7. Rittenhouse Square

8. Rittenhouse Area / Graduate Hospital

Take a look at my other photos on Instagram (@zpatten) and be sure to follow all the great work from Streets Dept.

Old vs. New: Exploring the History of Philadelphia

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 2 MINUTES

Back in my days as an editorial intern at Campus Philly, I took part in a Center City food tour for an article I needed to write. After stops at DiBruno Bros. and Naked Chocolate Cafe, the tour guide stopped us in the middle of the sidewalk and told us to look up. Little did I know that some of the most interesting architecture in the city is right above our heads, in the places we choose not to even acknowledge as we rush to work or where ever we’re headed. 

I’ve always been endlessly fascinated by historical photographs that show me exactly what once stood in a familiar place. Yesterday at work I came across a bookmarked link from last summer titled Old Scenes of Philadelphia (click to view), which led me to spend a few hours browsing the online photo archives of the Free Library of Philadelphia. 

I’ve had this idea for a few years where I want to collect a bunch of iconic photos of politicians, head down to DC and recreate each shot but with me taking the place of the subject (wearing a blazer, of course). Sounds kind of pompous but whatever. I don’t know why, but I just think it’s so cool that I can stand in the same place where someone or something significant had once been, and it’s just passed over by thousands everyday due to ignorance.

Since I’m in Philadelphia pretty much everyday, I’ve decided to start my own photo mission to shoot current-day comparisons of what used to be. My first attempt is my own workplace at 1613 Spruce Street. The window above the door all the way to the right is the one I’m looking out from as I type this. Turns out there used to be an air conditioner here when the original photo was taken in 1969. Take a look below (boo your 500 pixel limit, Tumblr!) or click here to visit my Flickr account for a better view.

Check back for more of these — I have a feeling it’s going to be a very addicting project for me. And a big thank you to @EmilyBallas for her quick Photoshop work!