Photographer Bill Owens

For photographer Bill Owens, no subject is too ordinary. Tupperware parties, backyard barbecues and Bible study groups have all been captured by Owens as part of his documentation of middle class California. Owens was born in San Jose and later moved to Livermore, east of San Francisco. In the 1970s he took black and white shots of his suburban friends and neighbors there. His newest collection includes some of those photos with updates on his subjects. We talk with Owens about how suburbia has changed in the 40 years since he first began photographing his community.

• More: Bill Owens' photography (BillOwens.com)