Originally published April 1, 2012. Title updated in January 2026.
Have you been to Cambridge, Massachusetts? On my recent visit I was struck by the buzz of a thriving student-dominated city.
One of the reasons I enjoy photographing in cities, small towns and villages across New England is discovering the scenes that remind me of the quiet moments in our everyday lives.
I recently took advantage of volunteering at the Cambridge Art Association to photograph in Cambridge, a city that I hadn't been in for quite some time.
Almost immediately I had visual overload amid the hustle and bustle of the city: the movement of the students, traffic noise, myriad coffee shops, aimless pleas and conversations of the many homeless.
I searched for storefronts to single out elements that define everyday life in Harvard Square, which is dominated by students of Harvard University.
What struck me about the storefront window I stopped at was a theatrical poster. To me, this image clearly says "New England" with its huge white pillared brick building in the background. The urban feel and cheekiness from the poster give this street scene a mood that you wouldn't find in other small towns.
I experimented with alternative versions of this scene. The one pictured is one of my favorites with its dramatic sky.
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