William's Philly Diary @williamphillydiary - Tumblr Blog

As the clock is ticking for my last few days as a Temple Owl, I finally got time to share the pictures from our last field trip to the United States's first zoo-Philadelphia Zoo. I can't even recall when's the last time I stepped into an actual zoo, and I have to say, it feels completely different visiting a zoo as an adult from any of my previous experiences. Of course, the difference of knowing how to capture animals also brings visiting zoo to another level. While the weather may not be perfect for a field trip, I still enjoy this last assignment for my eye-opening experience throughout this class.

#philadelphizoo #countingdown #rainyspring #gradution

I found out that I've started to enjoy the feeling of interacting with people and the world through camera. While you see both worlds with your eyes, camera can always provide something more unique and precious at the right moment. I often notice little things in life only after looking at the pictures. I guess it's just the difference of looking at the world through one or two pairs of eyes :)

#photography #phillyspring #worldthroughlenses #nikonD40

To be honest, I have had the luxury to spend enough time at one of Philadelphia's treasured place-Philadelphia Museum of Art in the past two years. While I don't mind admitting that I'm never a huge fan of fine art, the chance of admiring its magnificent architecture and surrounding is still a pleasure, especially on a early spring day. Thanks to our Basic Photography class's field trip, I was able to finally spend a substantial amount of time at this worldly known place. I have to say I truly regret for not having taken enough advantage of a "Mecca" like this in the past two years, but I'm glad I learned to appreciate its magic before I depart for good. As many Philadelphians or visitors that have left their trace at this amazing wonderland, I finally understand why we need to make such a huge deal out of a museum like this. It's not just the amount of collection it contains, but the power that it has to bring the city, even the world together to applaud for a universal piece of magnificence.

#phillyartmuseum #parkway #spring #ilovephilly

I believe all of us have experienced a period of being resistant toward the things you are maniacally in love with. That finally happens to photography and me this week. While I enjoy the process of documenting the world around me through camera lenses, the amount of instruction that we receive from our instructor is somehow making photography an obligation. The pressure of fulfilling the requirements somehow reduces the attractiveness of taking photos. While I'm fully aware of the nature of being a photo-journalist, I guess I enjoy being assigned things that I'm also easily attached to. This week's night-shot assignments have proven that I still need to sharpen my skills of shooting under extreme low light condition. It also brings up the long-time problem that I've always had-lack of patience to complete tasks. Upon leaving school in another 24 days, this is certainly one aspect that I can take advantage of photography to work on. I'm sure the love and passion toward photography will come back to me again soon. In the mean time, let's try to appreciate the effort of walking four hours on Monday night, although they really aren't that great.

#nightshots #photography #philadelphia #photojournalism #passionandlove

Ever since I started to get more into photography, the question of "what type of photographer do I want to be" has been revolving around my head for a while. I love anything that deals with people, and I love to interact with them through the world of camera lenses. However, it's still a tough task to define your style by simply picking random people on the street. The context, the story, and the meaning behind your shots determine what type of photographer you are. I guess eventually I can find my own niche and work toward becoming a "people's photographer."

Philly has too many mutual memories among local residents, students, and even just short-term visitors. I'm fortunate enough to be able to immerse myself into the "authentic" Philly life by living on South st. The rich history and continuous transformation of this single street has preserved Philadelphians' memories for several generations. Bars, cheese steaks shops, Johnny Rockets, South Street Greek restaurant, and many other businesses that have been in the area for decades tell the lively story of Philadelphia. Like many of my friends who have expressed after looking at these photos, South st. indeed occupies a significant place in their minds. It certainly will mean more to me than to anyone else because it's such a huge part of my life in the city of brotherly love. I love Philly, but I love South st. more :)

#South Street #Philadelphia #Memory #Story #welovegeno's

Ever since its founding, Kimmel Center has become the hub of Philadelphia's art and cultural events. Situated on the Avenue of the Arts, Kimmel Center has fulfilled its mission of revitalizing the city from multiple aspects. Like me, philadelphians must have precious memories at this semi-public performing arts center. From hosting world-class performance to granting residents a public space to enjoy their day, Kimmel Center has fulfill its initial multi-functional purposes. While we may walk by it on a daily basis, perhaps very few of us have the opportunity to really appreciate its magnificence and fascinating concept behind its structure. As a performance venue that bears the city's hope of boosting its economy, Kimmel Center means more than just a fancy architecture-its the shining beacon of 21 century Philadelphia.

#kimmelcenter #artsandculture #philadelphia #pifa #architecture

I've never thought that I would become capable of taking good pictures when I started my MJ program at Temple two years ago. Before this, I was the most untrusted person to my friends when it comes to taking pictures. I guess it's partly of my impatient personality and mostly my self-suspicion toward my ability of operating "machines". Coming into this program has definitely forced me to get out of my comfort zone little by little. I start to put down that high wall that I used to build up against any "technical" related things, from computer to camera. The lack of confidence just makes the idea of taking picture very uncomfortable. I'm glad I was able to actually learn the beauty of photography in my last semester in life as a student and i'm glad I've decided to make it a permanent part of my life. A world through lens becomes more multi-perspectival and unique. Just like smoking and dosing drugs, photography can be easily addicted, but in a positive way.

I have to admit that before this shadowing experience, I never thought I would have the opportunity to be so close to two real beekeepers. As urban gardening, farming, and beekeeping have become more prevalent in Philadelphia, the chance of actually witnessing the operation closely is still rare. Like these brothers, most of the urban farmers and beekeepers make it their part-time job or pure interest. However, this trend has benefited fellow Philadelphians a new way of grocery shopping-the booming number of farmer's markets around the city. While I personally still can't feel completely comfortable about insects (I guess I'm just not naturally friendly enough,) it's indeed a precious opportunity to witness the power of creativity and innovation at work once again in Philadelphia.

NextFab is a studio/factory in Philadelphia that produces tools, artifacts, furnitures and any other things you can imagine in our daily lives. One thing that distinguishes them from other studio is their innovative machines. Through the "Shadowing a Photographer" assignment, I had the chance to witness the blooming of entrepreneurial and innovative industries that are lifting Philadelphia to the next level. We might not have the fancy Wall Street like New York City, and we might not have thousands of high-tech companies' headquarters swamping the area. However, Philadelphia finds a unique and innovative route to assert itself among the "elite" cities in the U.S.A.

We often only realize how fortunate we are after witnessing how hard others need to fight to live through every day. We may easily take things for granted while these Bangladeshi kids who came to Philadelphia as refugees, arriving here without knowing anything in English and what's ahead of them. They came here simply for one reason-pursuing a better life. The cultural, language and social barriers are unthinkably broad that they need to try extra harder to overcome. They find happiness in the simplest thing in life, and build their dreams step by step. While a lot of us are complaining about our "smart phones," they are still reading from used books that are donated by the school district. That's the simplest, but also hardest kind of happiness to possess. Once you taste the treats, it's hard to pull back from that constant temptation. It's easy to be spoiled, and hard to remain simple-minded.

Time passes by fast enough that we often don't even know how to react. This journey of Brotherly Love will soon come to a temporary end in less than 60 days. Sad as I am, the memories need to be preserved in the best way and style. I've grown into a completely different person than I first arrived, and that momentum will only keep going. Too much to say about this journey, so I decide to let images tell the story. The only regret will be I don't have enough time to thoroughly learn, live and love this city in my remaining time. But I guess that's just the pattern of life-you need to learn how to live your life to the fullest. From now on, every step will be memorable and meaningful. Philly has left a deep enough mark in my mind that it's never going to be replaced. Deep down I knew that the day will come when I need to leave it behind for a while, but I also know that it will be there for me when the rest of the world seem to be unlivable. The last Philadelphian spring has finally arrived yesterday in a blooming fashion.

To be continued...

The road might be more winding than we imagine, and there might be moments that the thought of giving up is overtaken your will power. We all need a shelter to recharge and start again. Nothing tastes sweeter than a hard fought war that you earned

I guess we all miss those Sundays when we can just enjoy time with family, and nothing else. :))

Thank you all for being part of the effort and volunteering your time to make this publication possible. Words can't fully express my gratitude. Who knows when will be the next time that we all do the same thing like this in this same beloved city of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia will soon become part of my memory and so will these precious moments we've shared.