One can almost hear the stillness in Rachel Duffy’s photography. Even when there are groups of people present, there is a calm, a drawing of breath. Rachel rarely takes images of dramatic scenery, or cinematic sunsets. Her images of a field, forest, or street may have no obvious “subject,” challenging traditional notions of composition. Rather, she asks the viewer to pause, to access the feeling of being in that time and place. Sometimes, however, unexpected subjects appear. A bush, a rock, or a building may express a depth of personality that takes the viewer by surprise. That is the gift of looking at things deeply.

Rachel often photographs her companions from behind, as if looking over their shoulders. This recurring motif captures the special frisson of being out in the world together. Of discovering something at the same time, of knowing that another mind shared this amazing moment. That it was real. In Rachel’s work, it is not the scenery but the act of observation itself that is important. The act of being truly present, in that time, in that place. Of bearing witness.

All of these photos were taken with 35mm film, during the period 2010—2014. They feature a group of San Francisco Bay Area friends and lovers, thrown together for a time before dispersing again on the wind. The joy of discovery, and the beauty of nature, are tempered by the knowledge of inevitable loss. It’s the sweetness, and the sadness, of the last days of summer.

Born in Slidell, Louisiana, Rachel was raised in various rural places, usually with the woods, desert, or ocean close by. Since then, she has lived in some rough cities, from Albuquerque, to Oakland, to Brooklyn, working as a baker, bookseller, and EMT, among other things. Which is to say, she’s seen a lot. Currently, Rachel is working in the medium of collage, creating compelling illustrations for books, magazines, and the web. You can see her recent work on Instagram at @racheladuffy.