Local Version Of Popular Blog Offers View Of Humanity In Philly
By KYW social media editor Melony Roy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If you are a fan of the popular blog "Humans of New York" there's a local version that offers a different view of Humanity in Philadelphia.
South Philly resident and amateur photographer Chuck Putnam has been taking photos most of his life, and when he discovered "Humans of New York," he contacted the creator and with permission, created a Philadelphia version.
Like the New York version, "Humans of Philadelphia" is a series of street portraits where the subjects candidly answer personal questions. But Putnam's version of humanity in Philadelphia is more of a celebration:
"There's so much diversity in Philadelphia that's not the bizarre, it's not the wild outfits and the wild hair and things that you see in New York. There's all sorts of ethnic festivals and that's what i started going to so that's what sort of what prompted me to showcase Philadelphia."
So what kind of human does it take to catch the eye of Putnam?
"It could be what they're wearing or just how they are standing," he said. "I was walking down Chestnut Street and there was a woman and she had her son sitting on the molding of the building and she was just snuggling up to him and her kids just laughing and I thought I just got to have this picture."
Unlike the New York version, Putnam lets people choose the photo they would like used. He says he was surprised that when he asks people a question, the theme is generally that they want to be happy or work together.
The photos can be seen on the "Humans of Philadelphia" Facebook page, but Putnam is working on creating a blog or website and maybe one day a book.
If you are having an event or festival and would like to be a part of this photo project, email Chuck Putnam at chuckphotoguy@gmail.com.
