David

David is a freelance photographer and graphic designer, a graduate student in Sociology at the University of Chicago, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Sciences at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Managing Editor at GapersBlock.com, among other things; 32; currently a resident of Hyde Park.

Check out David's Photo Journal, part of our Life By the Lake: Flickr Photo Journals project.

Tell me about your photo project in your own words. What do you like to take photos of?

I’m interested in a broad range of photographic subjects, but my core practice focuses on the theme of transformation, by which I mean why and how things change. In many ways, my largest project explores Chicago's most radically changing neighborhoods by looking at the relationship buildings such as houses, storefronts and churches have with their surroundings. I ardently believe we can understand a great deal about a community, its history and the factors affecting it through the study of these elements.

Why do you take so many photos of the South Side and West Side?

Other than the interest in transformation as described above, one of the primary reasons I take so many photographs on the South and West Sides is that I feel they are underrepresented in the chronicling of our city. When they are present in the visual narrative, they are represented by a few historical standouts: the Union Stock Yards, Bronezville’s glory days, the World's Columbian Exposition or (now) what were once major public housing projects.

While images of the University of Chicago and U.S. Cellular Field certainly represent parts of the South Side; and the United Center or Garfield Park Conservatory represent parts of the West Side of Chicago, photographs of more modest buildings and daily life in the South and West Sides are often absent. While I don’t consider my work to be purely documentary, I hope that my photographs provide helpful windows into parts of the South and West Sides that many Chicagoans have never seen in person.

Cubs or Sox?

As a South Sider, I am required by law to voice my support for the Sox.

Favorite Pizza

Whole Foods vegan cheese pizza with soy pepperoni. While Whole Foods isn’t local, the “cheese” is Chicago Soy Dairy’s Teese.

Favorite Hot Dog

Veggie Bite’s Chili “Cheese” Dog

Favorite skyline view

From the 63rd Street Beach breakwater – Hyde Park and Promontory Point are in the foreground with downtown behind them.

Favorite place to take out of town guests

The Art Institute

Favorite date night

Exploring the South Side of Chicago and northwestern Indiana, followed by a quick bite and a bad movie downtown.

Favorite lunch spot

Rajun Cajun

Favorite summer activity

Probably swimming in Lake Michigan and bicycling along the I & M Canal, which is about an hour southwest of the city.

Favorite season
Autumn

I like to talk about Chicago because...

It’s quite possibly the best city in the United States.