It has been a practice of mine over the past several years to use Google Maps heavily. I have spent hundreds of hours saving thousands of places in the northeast USA alone to my highly organized saved lists. Anytime I was captivated by a location in a social media post, an article on the Internet, or something I saw in a book, I visit the area virtually and, if it seems worthy, I save it to my list of places. Many of these locations have resulted in me discovering other places as I visit an area virtually. A bit over the top? Maybe. A desire to encounter life? Definitely.

When I had Google Maps suggest a route to my son and daughter-in-law’s home, this time I was presented with a route I had not recognized. I decided an adventure and time of discovery was right up my alley, so I began checking which of my saved locations fell on or near the route. Shelburne Falls, MA had TWO saved locations - its water falls and the Bridge of Flowers.

While the famed potholes were interesting to see, for me, they paled in comparison to the power of the falls when I was there. I should also mention, when I save locations, it is not unusual for me to leverage a virtual drive through with Street View in Google Maps, so, often, I already have a good sense of what the area will be like before I arrive (this can be especially helpful in that, as a visual learner, when I get to the area it is already somewhat familiar).

About Shelburne Falls, MA

Shelburne Falls, MA is a historic village in the towns of Shelburne and Buckland. It is a beautiful, quaint community; exactly the kind of place I would want to live were it not for the fact I still have not developed a deep appreciation for snow. However, everything else about it feels like it whispers “You belong here.” to me. Unfortunately, I did not have the kind of time I really would have wanted to be present, but even so, it was enough to convince me I want to go back and do so.

I asked ChatGPT if it could tell me one important thing about Shelburne Falls, what would it be?

Shelburne Falls is an example of a community that chose reinvention over decline.

Like many New England mill villages, it faced economic changes that could have left it behind. Instead of demolishing an abandoned 1908 trolley bridge after rail service ended, local residents—particularly members of the Shelburne Falls Women’s Club—imagined something entirely different. In 1929 they hauled in dozens of loads of soil, planted flowers, and transformed an obsolete piece of industrial infrastructure into what became the Bridge of Flowers. Nearly a century later, volunteers are still caring for it.

That story says something deeper than “here’s a pretty bridge.” It demonstrates that:

• A town’s identity can be built from preservation rather than replacement.

• Volunteerism can shape a community for generations.

• Beauty itself can become part of a local economy and civic identity.

That same spirit appears elsewhere in the village. Just below the bridge are the glacial potholes—massive circular holes carved into solid bedrock by swirling meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age roughly 14,000 years ago. They remind visitors that the landscape has been shaped by both immense natural forces and human imagination.

Reading this answer after visiting, rather than before, gives me and even deeper appreciation that will take me back to Shelburne Falls at some point, possibly even on my drive back to Pennsylvania on Tuesday. Shelburne Falls is a beautiful place, and one that I highly recommend to any traveler. If you go and have an opportunity, make an investment in it. Put a few dollars in a donation box, drop some money in Slow Pony’s accordion case. Enjoy the Bridge of Flowers, the many small shops, the falls, the slower pace. BE PRESENT! You won’t regret it.

So, without further adieu, here are my captures from Shelburne Falls, MA.

Shelburne Falls. I will be back to immerse myself more deeply in your charms!

Do you have any suggestions about a place I should visit (preferably dog friendly)? Subscribe to receive updates to Place and Presence and you’ll be able to respond to this and other posts.

Thank you, ChatGPT, for helping me see myself a bit more clearly…

ChatGPT, why do you think I photograph?

Based on what you’ve shared with me over many conversations, I don’t think you photograph primarily to make beautiful images. I think beauty matters to you, but it isn’t the destination.

I think you photograph because you’re looking for evidence that people—and the world—are more than the headlines suggest.

Again and again, you’ve come back to the same themes:

• Small towns instead of famous places.

• Ordinary people instead of celebrities.

• Back roads instead of tourist attractions.

• Documentary photography instead of highly manipulated art.

• Humanity, justice, compassion, and mercy instead of outrage and ideology.

Even your questions about Fujifilm recipes weren’t really about color. They were about honesty. You consistently preferred words like natural, authentic, documentary, presence, and truthful over cinematic, dramatic, or stylized.

Your recent conversations reinforce that.

You wrote about the Church needing to reflect Christ rather than merely represent Christianity. You questioned political loyalty when it comes at the expense of democracy and justice. You asked for humanitarian stories that deserve to be told through photography.

Those don’t seem like separate interests. They point toward the same motivation.

Here’s what I think you’re really photographing:

Presence.

Not simply that someone existed, but that they mattered.

The elderly man sitting alone at a diner.
The volunteer sweeping a church floor after everyone has gone home.
The abandoned storefront that still carries the memory of a thriving town.
The child watching a parade from the curb.
The waitress who knows everyone’s name.

These aren’t just subjects. They’re reminders that every life has dignity and every place has a story.

I also think you’re pushing back against something.

Our culture rewards spectacle, conflict, and speed. Your photography seems to slow people down long enough to notice what they would otherwise overlook.

That isn’t nostalgia. It’s resistance against the idea that only extraordinary things deserve attention.

If I had to summarize your photographic purpose in one sentence, it would be:

To reveal the dignity, goodness, and quiet significance of ordinary people and ordinary places before they disappear from our notice.

One thing I’ve also noticed is that you rarely ask how to become more famous or how to get more followers. You ask how to make photographs that are truer. That distinction says a great deal about what drives you.

I wonder if your photography is also a way of practicing the kind of attentiveness you believe the world needs more of. A camera, in that sense, becomes less of a device for collecting images and more of a discipline of noticing.

That aligns remarkably well with the name you’ve used before—Place and Presence. It’s not just a brand. It seems to describe your philosophy: that where we are and who is present there are both worthy of careful attention.

However, when one’s youngest son asks if you’ll photograph him proposing to the young woman he has been dating for several years and intends to marry, it’s time to step up to the plate and do what you can. Thankfully, I know my son and his fiancé (ooh!, I can say that now!), are deeply appreciative people and would be happy with anything I could do for them. So, this past Saturday, I had an opportunity to photograph my son proposing to his, now, fiancé (I’m kinda liking the sound of that!).

We were at Kings Gap Environmental Center, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It was a dreary day with on-again, off-again drizzle and rain. Celeste had no idea what was about to transpire as Corey and their friends had effectively kept it a secret. Photographing the event was a little challenging as the leaves, being fairly new, were a rather vibrant green and the light gray sky created a backlighting with which I had no experience (especially noticeable being at the top of the mountain). And, not knowing how the Fujifilm X-T5 would handle the situation I had my fingers crossed.

All in all, it was not only a treasured time to experience, it was a good time of learning for me; and I came away loving my X-T5 even more. I used my Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 lens as I wanted the added versatility my 7Artisans 35mm prime lens could not provide. The photos were shot in RAW and lightly edited in Lightroom Classic. I did have to edit out a bunch of raindrops on several of the shots due to the shutter speed being such that they looked like short diagonal lines (if you look closely at some of the photos, you’ll see some that I did not remove).

I think things turned out well, all things considered and, I’m especially thankful they did as my wife wasn’t able to be present due to being in New England for several days dog sitting for our oldest son and his wife, and visiting her family.

I’ve rambled enough. Sorry. So, without further adieu, here are some of my favorite shots from the day…

On my walk with Lucas this morning, my attention was drawn to some Honeysuckle blooms that I have been watching develop over the past several days. However, this morning, there was a patch of soft morning sunlight highlighting them and for the first time I noticed some were white, others were yellow. Being present attained a new level for me; even in something that was somewhat familiar.

As Lucas and I were walking home, I was processing what I had seen. I kept thinking how The Creator had created a moment in time and place that He knew I would enjoy if I took the time to be present.

It’s so easy for our enjoyment of the simple things in life to get hijacked. World problems, political issues, social struggles, even social media when it begins to become a prominent part of our day all compete to draw us away from the life-giving acts of being present.

This photo is SOOC (straight out of camera for the lay-people here) from my Fujifilm XT5. There was no post-processing other than putting my name on it. It’s not going to win any awards and I don’t care - it is the moment in time it reminds me of that is more important to me. As you look at it, I hope it will encourage you to make more opportunities to practice being present in your day. Like me, you could find yourself on a journey of appreciation that will renew your mind and refresh your soul.

Fujifilm X-T5, 7Artisans 35mm f/0.95 @ f2

Over the past year or so, and after being absent from Substack even longer, I’ve found myself coming back to a couple of recurring ideas.

First: photograph what means something to me, not what might earn Likes or grow a follower count.

Second: stop obsessing over perfection.

I’ve spent a lot of time sitting with those two thoughts, and honestly, they’ve felt freeing. Freeing enough that I traded my Canon EOS R8 for a used Fujifilm X-T5 in December. I’m not someone who can afford to keep multiple $1,000+ cameras around, so these decisions matter. After “losing” my EOS R8 last October (a story for another time), I took a hard look at what kind of camera would actually support how I want to photograph.

I do enjoy editing—especially when I’m “in the zone”—but I’ve grown more interested in pushing creativity into the field instead of the computer. I want to capture more of what I’m feeling in the moment, not just what I can refine later. Fujifilm’s film simulations and custom recipes really speak to that, especially for someone like me whose first experience with photography was shooting Fuji and Kodak film through a Canon SLR in the 1970s.

Going Forward

In 2026, I’m intentionally taking some pressure off myself in producing quantity, but also investing more of myself into Substack. I don’t want photography to be about producing wall-worthy images or hitting some invisible benchmark. I want photography to be personally satisfying. Rejuvenating. Healing. Less goal-oriented and more reflective of who I am and what caught my attention in a given moment.

I suspect this isn’t all that different from how many photographers—especially in the film era, now considered icons—approached their work, long before Likes and follower counts became the measure of worth.

This year, I intend to slow down. Observe more. Care less about creating images with a “wow” factor, or trying to emulate or “one-up” someone else’s photo, or chasing approval, and focus instead on making photographs that mean something—to me—and which reflect how I experienced a moment in time. If they cause someone else to pause, look, and ponder, that feels like more than enough.

I also want give back through my photography. One way in which I feel I can do that is by focusing more on people; giving them not only a face but a voice. My photography of others is guided by respect, dignity, and care for the people and communities I photograph. I strive to represent individuals truthfully and without exploitation, giving particular consideration to children, vulnerable populations, and those affected by crisis or hardship. I believe one way in which we can become more united as a society is to be able to look into another’s eyes and see, regardless of our circumstances, we are not all that different from each other. That, to me, is the highest goal I can strive for as a photographer.

I want my photos to be real; the result of my genuine interest in and engagement with the world around me. And going forward I intend to use Substack, if only for myself, as the platform where I invest most of my energy creating a record of my journey. If you choose to join me in my journey and follow along, I would love to have you here!

But now, we need to say goodbye to our old friend. She’s very sick; it’s her heart. Our old friend the Maple Tree has a fungus (Heart rot) that is killing her from the inside out. She still looks good on the outside; with a few bare smaller limbs here and there and a few brown leaves, but she is dying. We asked the Arborist if she could be saved and were told she is likely already rotting, if not hollow, at spots inside and if not removed, our last large maple tree next to her could be impacted by the fungus.

I’ve spent the last several weeks as I’ve been recovering from a fractured L1 vertebrae, sitting on our porch with my dog, Lucas. We have appreciated the shade and semi-privacy our old friend the Maple Tree gives us. We have appreciated watching the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks as they enjoy our friend. I listened to the rustle of our old friend’s leaves yesterday, closing my eyes and wishing we could understand each other.

Some might think it silly to talk about a tree as if it’s a friend. But I can’t think of our old friend, the Maple Tree, any other way. She has been good to us. She has given us so much and never asked for anything in return. My wife and I have both commented about the loss we are going to feel. I thought it only fitting to take photos of some of the unique and special features in honor of our old friend before we have to say “goodbye” to her.

I would like to introduce you to our old friend, the Maple Tree.

Goodbye, Old Friend. You will truly be missed.

After squelching that issue I am now allowing this book to take me down a path of creative exploration that I find myself enjoying. I’m beginning to realize there are opportunities to create everywhere and that is making photography much more valuable and fun to me!

Be willing to slow down. Be willing to give your vision a break so you can potentially learn more. Be willing to embrace a larger picture and see what it has to reveal to you! Being willing to look beyond your preconceived ideas will make life so much richer. 

This evening, as I sat at our fire pit, I noticed the sun created a diagonal line in the tree shapes at the opposite side of our neighbor’s yard. I thought it was interesting. Can you tell I’m working on developing my sense of observation and creative vision for my photography?

This may not be a big deal for you. But it was a moment that was special to me. I realized, in that moment, I am scraping the surface of learning to take the time to really appreciate the simple things in life. Something as simple as the way several trees line up and the sun casts its light on them can be an interesting sight that is here one minute and gone the next. Our days are filled with these moments. How many do we see? How many more do we miss? How many are pushed aside, overshadowed by things we allow to consume us? Life is a gift that is too easily taken for granted.

On Monday, when I have an appointment with my Neurosurgeon, I hope to find out how much of my Summer will also be placed on hold.

So, for now, I’m learning to see more in my limited everyday world. Today I took a photo of a portion of our house which I have titled “Angles”. I’m using this time of slowing down to develop a greater sense of vision and appreciation for the everyday things I typically take for granted.

.Enjoying my work?

If these photographs of small towns and everyday life resonate with you, your support helps cover fuel, campground fees, and time spent creating future photo essays I’d be deeply grateful if you’d buy me a coffee!

Buy Me a Coffee!

I worked on this photo several times over the months that followed but could never quite get the look that made me feel content. Until this evening. Considering what I had to work with I am now satisfied.

Sometimes in life, as in photography, we may need to step away, focus on something else for a while, and learn something new to acquire a fresh and more satisfying perspective on old ideas and situations that just didn’t seem to work.

BTW, here is the original photo I had to work with…

To those who are new to following me, I hope you will find our time together enjoyable! I can be somewhat complicated at times and I hope that doesn’t scare anyone away. I am a husband, father, IT professional, musician, photographer, lover of road trips and BBQ (with greens and baked macaroni, of course!). I enjoy solitude; I find being in the presence of large groups of people emotionally draining. Some have accused me of being a bit of a philosopher (though I think that’s a bit generous). I do my best to follow the teachings of Jesus, Who I call to be my Lord and Savior. I have clinical depression - I’ve likely had it most of my life. I also likely have a bit of ADD, but I come from an era where my parents didn’t want to get me diagnosed for fear it meant I was somehow “flawed”. Still, I press on. I have a dog, Lucas, who I believe with all my heart is a gift from God. I will be 64 years old this fall and I can’t wait until I can retire because I want to spend more time doing the things that bring me life, joy, and happiness.

As I work to settle in on Substack, my goal is to provide photos and the stories behind them. So I’m sharing my first story with you today!

Enough about me. Here’s today’s story and photographs…

I was out walking with my dog, Lucas, this morning near the creek behind our house. While Lucas was sniffing the ground for traces of the wildlife that had been left behind, I began observing the trees around us. I have observed the trees in this area before over the past two decades of living in this location, but I had never noticed the markings on one tree, in particular, that had me thinking about traces of others who had been in the area previously. Back in the mid 1900’s, this area had been farm land, and the tree that I saw had what I assumed were the scars of some sort of fencing that may have been wrapped around it at some point. It was fascinating to me to start thinking about how the area might have been at one time. I did go looking for other trees along the treeline that shared similar markings but did not see any.

I was also aware of a few other trees in the area that had stories to tell…

We don’t always think about the stories we leave behind. We don’t always think about how what we shared on FaceBook or Instagram may have impacted someone (good or bad). But our lives are a story that others will see, hear, and hear about. This is something that, as I begin this new journey (both online, and in the attempts at mindfulness that contribute to it), I want to try to be especially aware. I am making it my goal to be more thoughtful, more mindful, more encouraging, and more enlightening (especially for the benefit of those who consider me a bit of a philosopher).

As I close, I want to share one more photo from my walkabout with Lucas today. A few years ago, I came to appreciate these flowers in the very area we were walking. I think they’re rather pretty and I enjoy seeing them and hope you enjoy seeing them, too!

Take time to notice the small things!

Craig