
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.

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.

"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."

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

The World Prayer Center on North 29th Street.

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.

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.

A tree at 38th and Pennsgrove Streets.

Row houses at 37th and Aspen Streets.

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

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

"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.

Faces, places in North Philadelphia —
A vacant lot on Cecil B. Moore Avenue near North Marston Street, in 2010.