A project I've been interested in starting for some time is to capture the diversity of the numerous cultural neighborhoods that give Rhode Island it's character. This is the first photo along those lines, and I hope to have many others in the project over time.
This photo, taken at the corner of Broad Street and Thurbers Avenue in Providence is in the Elmwood neighborhood of the city. Elmwood is accurately described as one of the most ethnically, culturally and racially diverse neighborhoods in Providence. The neighborhood first transitioned from farmland to urban residential in the mid-1850s. Sections of the neighborhood are upper middle class, while other sections attracted - and continue to attract - low income residents that are recent immigrants to the US. Driving down Broad Street today reveals a very strong Latin American influence that displaced the post-Vietnam era Southeast Asian residents that had settled in the neighborhood. Despite the frequent cultural changes, the neighborhood continues to endure as a hub for ethnic markets, corner stores, and service stations such as the one seen in today's photo. The languages change, the names change, but the neighborhood's purpose and flair remains a timeless constant.
Post processing started with a clarify filter in Topaz Adjust. I adjusted adaptive exposure, regions, contrast, and brightness. A levels adjustment was added in PSE.
