iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Compositions of Black Joy

@cobj-phl.bsky.social

293 followers 325 following 175 posts

Compositions of Black Joy is a book by street photographer and writer Tieshka K. Smith. COBJ features seven years of Smith's photos of the Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival in Germantown. compositionsofblackjoy.com tieshkasmith.com #unscriptedmoments

Posts Replies Media

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Here's the fifth image! 🔗 View and vote for your favorites here: ncoagallery.org/link/2026-NC... #unscriptedmoments #Juneteenth #NCOA #strongertogether #philadelphiaphotography #colorphotography #AgeAction26 #AgingWell #photographersonbluesky #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #urbangaze

A vertical photograph titled "The Magic of Bubbles" featuring Sir Michael, the "Earl of Science and Magic," at the Juneteenth Festival. An older Black man with a gray beard, he wears a whimsical outfit: a tiger-print top hat, orange shirt, bowtie, orange suspenders, and tiger-print pants. He holds two green wands that have created a massive, shimmering iridescent bubble stretching across the frame. In the background, a colorful inflatable bounce house and a historic stone house are visible under a bright sky.

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Five of my photos from my Germantown Juneteenth Festival archive have been selected for the online exhibit "Stronger Together", presented by the National Council on Aging. 🔗 View and vote: ncoagallery.org/link/2026-NC...

A photograph titled "Guiding The Next Generation" showing Gwen Ragsdale of the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery at an outdoor festival. Ragsdale, an older Black woman with glasses and a patterned orange shirt, leans over a table to speak with a young girl. On the table are historical artifacts and a "Please Do Not Touch" sign. Two women in hijabs stand nearby, observing the educational exchange. The setting is a brick-paved area in front of a stone building with a "Historic Germantown" banner in the background.

A photograph titled "Sharing Water Ice" featuring three Black elders sitting outside a light blue storefront labeled 6353 during the Juneteenth Festival. The man on the left wears a striped shirt and red pants, sitting in a wheelchair. The man in the middle wears a khaki suit and a veteran's cap, and the woman on the right wears a beige suit and a white headband. Both the man in the middle and the woman on the right are holding and eating cups of water ice. They sit together in a relaxed row on the sidewalk.

A photograph titled "A Joyful Embrace" capturing a candid moment at the Juneteenth Festival in Germantown's Freedom Square. A woman in a blue t-shirt on the left smiles broadly as she shares a warm hug with Iraina Salaam, who wears a vibrant blue headwrap and patterned top. Behind them, young members of Scouts BSA Troop 1719A & 1313G in tan uniforms look on. The background shows a festive crowd and local storefronts.

A photograph titled "Sharing Sweetness" capturing a candid, joyful moment between a couple at the Juneteenth Festival. A man in a white baseball cap, sunglasses, and a black t-shirt laughs heartily while holding a piece of white cotton candy. He is embraced by a woman with her back to the camera, who wears a yellow tank top and has a blue tote bag slung over her shoulder. The sun-drenched street in the background is filled with the blurred figures of other festival-goers.

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

4-19-2026: Platform to platform. Photographed April 18, 2026 at Newark (NJ) Penn Station. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #AMTRAK #NECorridor #outmywindow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

4-18-2026: Java Joe’s Grab & Go. Photographed April 18, 2026 in New London, CT #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #AMTRAK #NECorridor #outmywindow #taketheshot

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

4-18-2026: Boston Strong. Photographed April 18, 2026 #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #bostonphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #backbay #bluebikes

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

4-18-2026: Fog on the Charles River, photographed April 18, 2026 #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #bostonphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #backbay

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

4-17-2026: View of the Charles River looking toward Cambridge, photographed April 17, 2026 #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #bostonphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #backbay

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

4-17-2026: Crossing Massachusetts Avenue at Newbury St, photographed April 17, 2026 #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #bostonphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #backbay

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

1-5-2026: Crossing the Schuylkill River via Vine Street Expy bridge on January 3, 2026. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #poweltonvillage

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

1-1-2026: From my window, taken Jan 2024 in University City Philadelphia #happynewyear #snowday #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #walnuthill

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Grateful for everyone who supported Compositions of Black Joy and my #unscriptedmoments posts. See you in 2026! #newyearseve #happynewyear #phillyauthor #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

12-31-2025: Brighter days ahead. Taken May 2017 in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #happynewyear

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

12-30-2025: High above Penn Center. Taken Dec 17, 2021 in Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #philadelphiacityhall #williampenn

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

12-29-2025: Crystal. Taken April 2012 in Germantown Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #nwphila #blackgirlmagic #blackhair

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

12-28-2025: Rowhomes bathed in radiance. Taken Nov 13 2021 in Southwest Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #stunday #kingsessing

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

12-27-2025: Come on in. Taken October 2018 in the Italian Market, South Philly. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #italianmarket

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

12-26-2025: Luther, the boxer (pt 2). Photographed January 2013 in north Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #brewerytown

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

12-25-2025: Nina, photographed December 2015 in Brooklyn, NY #unscriptedmoments #candidphoto #petphotography #NYCphotography #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #dogsofbluesky #merrychristmas #booksofbluesky

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

12-20-2025: Waiting for the 53 bus, photographed June 2013 in north Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

12-11-2025: Two Sisters. Photographed May 2012 in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

12-8-2025: Open. Taken July 9, 2013 in Germantown, Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #strikeapose #storefront #storeowner

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

12-8-2025: Happy. Taken September 20, 2013 in Germantown, Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #parkingday

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

12-7-2025: Queen Akilah Brown Bey Isra'el (part 3), taken April 26 2012, Germantown, Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #strikeapose

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

12-5-2025: #Streetscene on this day in 2015, Germantown, Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #GermantownAvenue #CheltenAvenue

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

12-2-2025: On this day in 2021, I was on a rooftop in Buckhead, Atlanta... this is what I saw 🧡 #unscriptedmoments #betweenthelines #ruleofthirds #atlantaphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #streetportrait

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

12-1-2025: Heavy load, photographed November 2011 in north Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #chasinglightandshadow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

11-30-2025: The Lesson, photographed May 2012 in north Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #fatherandson

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

11-29-2025: The Growbot loves piggyback rides, November 2016, Germantown, Philadelphia #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #streetportrait #urbangaze #publicart

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

11-27-2025: Happy Thanksgiving! So grateful for all of the support for my #unscriptedmoments series! Today's photo: Saying Grace, 2011, Germantown, Philadelphia #phillyphotography #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

11-25-2025: Napping child. Taken October 22, 2013 in Center City, Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

11-24-2025: Junkyard dog. Taken April 4, 2011 in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #dogsofbluesky

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

11-17-2025: Current mood. Photographed January 1, 2017 in southwest Philly. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #cedarpark #catsofbluesky

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

11-16-2025: Nothing says #summer in #Philly more than this. Taken June 2015. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #softpretzels #snowcones #gtown

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

11-15-2026: Her eyes were on me. Taken September 2013 in Center City, Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

11-13-2025: A Watchful Eye. Photographed May 31, 2015 in Germantown, Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #grumblethorpe

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

11-11-2025: Celebrating #VeteransDay. Taken in Germantown section of Philadelphia in 2015. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #blackmenofmeasure

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

11-10-2025: On this day in 2015 in Old City, Philly...it was raining then, like it's raining now. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #scapes

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

11-9-2025: This #unscripted moment was photographed Sept 2013 in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #scapes

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

11-8-2025: Through a boy's eyes, part 2. Taken November 2, 2011 on a bus from Philly to NYC. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #scapes

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Bonus for 11-7-2025: Billy Penn in the rain. Center City PA, sometime during spring of 2015. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #scapes

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

11-7-2025: Some place else. Photographed Sept 5, 2013 in the #Germantown section of Philadelphia, PA #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #scapes

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

11-6-2025: Cold as hell. Photographed December 13, 2013 in the #Germantown section of Philadelphia, PA #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #blackandwhitephotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

11-5-2025: This #unscriptedmoment was caught June 28 2017 in Olde Kensington section of Philadelphia, PA #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow #mural

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

11-4-2025: Friends in the rain. Photographed March 6, 2013 in the #Germantown section of Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #blueskyartshow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

11-3-2025: Alone. Photographed June 14, 2013 in the #Germantown section of Philadelphia. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #reflection #blueskyartshow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

11-2-2025: Breakfast. Photographed January 2014 in Germantown section of Philadelphia, PA #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #dinersofbluesky #blueskyartshow

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

11-1-2025: Germantown Reflections. Photographed June 12, 2013 in Philadelphia, PA #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #storefront #SEPTA

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

10-31-2025: Goodbye, October. Photographed October 10, 2025 at the Bok Building in South Philly. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

10-30-2025: Bring back summer. Photographed July 2018 in West Philly. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #hydrant

Compositions of Black Joy @cobj-phl.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

10-29-2025: Gimme that one. Photographed May 2019 in University City. #unscriptedmoments #streetphotography #phillyphotography #streetphoto #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #colorphotography #streetportrait #caughtyoulooking #urbangaze #icecreamtruck #facepainting