I took most of the photos below in two Chicago neighborhoods at a time before the iPhone and digital cameras. This was in the 70’s, shortly after my 16th birthday. (The camera was a gift from my dad).
I have some observations about the difference between taking pictures of people in the 20th century and today. It’s about the photographer’s intention, changing behavioral norms and expectations, and the ubiquitous nature of mobile photography and social media.
Pullman Neighborhood, Chicago 1974
I was and still am a big fan of stoop sitting. You don’t see it much anymore.






Lincoln Park, Chicago 1974
I was a student of my neighborhood. It was more diverse in age, ethnicity and income than today.






Misc. Chicago & Ireland 1974 – 76
I considered studying photography in college, until I joined the yearbook as the “staff photographer” during Junior year in high school. I HATED IT!






I mean Marks-Kreeger. Lol. I really shouldn’t be getting th
Hi Irene! Are you still living on the west coast? Hope all is well with you and your family.
yes- we are in the north LA burbs but as soon as the new parents figure out their housing plan we will be moving as close to them as we can… Looking like Redondo Beach South LA area.
I would love to get together with you. If there’s evern any reason for you to come out this way let’s make a plan.
That sounds terrific! So you guys are new grandparents? Congratulations!
Good fortune willing we will be, around mid October. Was my initial reply cut off? I brought up the happy event saying this child will be the last of the Rubens, at least Jewish ones (There’s a wing of the Joliet Rubens’ who, I bet, have been propagating but they are all Catholic)
That’s why I said sorry about noting the wrong family related to you, Marks-Kreeger. I was named after Ida.
Yeah, the message was a bit garbled so I’m glad we were able to touch base. That’s funny about the Joliet Rubens! I think there are a lot of Marks families in the Chicagoland area, but I’ve never met any, and the name is pretty common…
Wonderful, Jen! Enjoyed so much. Professional! You could definitely have a wonderful side-gig selling prints of these.
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Jennifer, These are great and it’s so fantastic that you had such a good eye for a shot at such a young age.
Thanks, Jan! It was so much easier to take photos of people back then. But I’ll probably address that specifically in another post (whenever I get around to it)🤣🤣🤣