Inspired by a reporter who recently paid a visit to Buffalo, and commented on how flabbergasted she was as she took in the colorful splendor of the city’s housing stock, I have decided to create a photo journal of a series of streets.
Reminiscent of the old “Steel” house montages that appeared on BRO back in the early days, this series is mostly taken from a casual observation standpoint, and not a historic critique of the respective neighborhood. I am hoping to cover a different street each week, taking photos of the houses, the gardens, and other objects of interest that tie a street together. The shots might depict the way the sun hits a particular home, a city flag flying from a facade, or a paint job underway.
These might not necessarily be the best houses according to how pricey or intact the structures look at the time. The image could reflect my mood, the weather, or the way an old tree accents the home. There will even be some ‘bookend’ structures highlighted that don’t actually front the street in question, but add to the strength of the street as a whole. The purpose of the exercise is to show the diversity of the structures, and the way they collectively tell a story of the city.
The first street that I am focusing on is Ketchum Place, which is on the West Side of the city, not far from Richmond Avenue, and near Symphony Circle. This is a short street that is packed with vibrant gardens and quaint porches. It’s often times overshadowed by more primetime Garden Walk streets such as Little Summer, but that’s the point of this series – to showcase streets that might be a bit more on the obscure side.