Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Updated 3:17 PM ET, Fri January 16, 2015

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A woman from North Philadelphia stands at 23rd Street and West Montgomery Avenue in 2008. Photographer Daniel Troub's new book, "North Philadelphia," profiles a struggling area that he says is ripe with beauty and possibility.

Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Faces, places in North Philadelphia – A woman from North Philadelphia stands at 23rd Street and West Montgomery Avenue in 2008. Photographer Daniel Troub's new book, "North Philadelphia," profiles a struggling area that he says is ripe with beauty and possibility.

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A corner of Ridge Avenue, near Francis Street, in 2008. Traub explored the area from 2008 to 2013, returning to a place he had visited with his mother as a child.

Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Faces, places in North Philadelphia – A corner of Ridge Avenue, near Francis Street, in 2008. Traub explored the area from 2008 to 2013, returning to a place he had visited with his mother as a child.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

"People thought I was a surveyor or real estate developer," said Traub, who used a large-format camera. "But for the most part, when I told them what I was doing, they were quite open and welcoming -- happy that someone was taking interest in the neighborhood."

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Faces, places in North Philadelphia – A tree on West Norris Street, near North Croskey Street, in 2013.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

The World Prayer Center on North 29th Street.

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A Qing Ming Jie (Ancestors Day) offering outside a Chinese takeout restaurant on the corner of North 21st and West Diamond, in 2010.

Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Faces, places in North Philadelphia – A Qing Ming Jie (Ancestors Day) offering outside a Chinese takeout restaurant on the corner of North 21st and West Diamond, in 2010.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Traub's choice of subjects reflected his personal experience in the area. North Philadelphia has both significant African-American and Hispanic populations, but Traub -- of German-Jewish and Chinese heritage -- focused on black residents and neighborhoods.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

A tree at 38th and Pennsgrove Streets.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Row houses at 37th and Aspen Streets.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

Faces, places in North Philadelphia – The corner of Cecil B. Moore Avenue and North 22nd Street, in 2008.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

A restaurant on West Girard Avenue, near North 40th Street.

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Photos: Faces, places in North Philadelphia

"On one hand (the area) is ignored and in decline, but it also is a place of tremendous possibility and great human resources -- people who are marginalized but also have a tremendous amount to offer," Traub said.

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