Janet Delaney- South of Market 

Janet Delaney documented San Francisco during the 70’s and 80’s time period. It captures the evolving city, a pivotal time in San Francisco when hundreds of homes were being replaced into more modern constructions. The entire city was changing, communities and neighborhoods were forced to adapt. Delaney says living in South Market crucial to the success of the project. She said she wanted to ‘keep a close eye on things as they were changing.’ But also because she wanted to feel a sense of ownership. The photographs Delaney took of the neighbourhood are barely recognisable compared to the landscape of it today with it’s chain stores and fancy apartments. 

This is an interesting article on South Market: http://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/south-of-market

Lauren Greenfield- Fast Forward- growing up in the shadow of Hollywood

Lauren Greenfield created a project focused on the youth culture of Los Angeles, it looks at the themes of money, appearances, celebrities and materialistic possessions. It compared the lives of children from the Westside private schools and the graffiti gangs and party crews of East L.A. I particularly like the electric colours featured in these images also the angles at which they have been taken. They appear as though they are casual which makes you feel as though the photographer is apart of the community. It feels like Greenfield is part of both of the groups because she is able to get so close amongst the action. When photographing communities I think it’s important to become part of one. Without that connection or insider’s knowledge and perspective you cannot fully explore the life style, values and happenings of a specific community.