Smith Hill
25 March 2014 -- 84/365
Providence, Rhode Island
On my way into work today, I decided to compose this photo of the three family tenements on Douglas Avenue. I've always like the scene, and today the lighting was just right for the type contrast I wanted in the composition. Smith Hill, as this neighborhood is called, is one of the oldest sections in the state. Originally farmland, it was part of the tract deeded to Roger Williams by the Narragansett Indians in 1636. The name of the neighborhood stems from a prominent family - the Smiths - that settled here in the 17th century and remained through the 19th. The neighborhood became known as "Up on the hill by the Smiths" which was eventually shortened to "Smith Hill."
Development of the area didn't really start until 1830, however, and that's the focus of today's photo. These 3 family tenement houses were extremely popular when the major Irish and Italian immigration waves hit in the early to mid 19th century. Proximity to the center of downcity Providence as well as bordering several major industrial centers turned this into an extremely dense urban neighborhood by the end of the Civil War. Today, the neighborhood consists of mixed demographics that are primarily White, Black, and Hispanic in equal proportions. The income level, however, is below average for both the city and the state.
Post processing started with a classic filter in Topaz B&W FX. I adjusted color sensitivity sliders, adaptive exposure, regions, contrast, boost black, and boost white. A levels adjustment was added in PSE.
