G. O'Graffer's photostream  

I'm a cultural geographer; my primary interest involves the transformation of the urban built environment. I've also done research on the history of the American lodging industry.

I like using photographic images and maps to illustrate geographic processes and ideas ... and I've joined flickr to help expand this effort. Plus, it's fun!

I embrace the philosophy that an image of a geographic feature deserves more than a quick description. In many cases, visual appearances are just not enough. So, when appropriate, I attempt to present information and interpretations that explain why the scene on display is somehow important or interesting in ways that may not be externally obvious. But, hey, in other cases, a quick quip is all that's needed.

My work here is informal, sometimes "tongue-in-cheek," and never intended to be used as authoritative documentation. I do not cite my sources as I would for a research paper. Nevertheless, my writing is original and the factual information that I present is compiled from multiple sources that most people would consider as reliable and authoritative. If you would like to know which sources I've used, just send me a message.

Comments or suggestions regarding my photographic images and descriptions are always welcome.

If you'd like to use one of my photos, I'd prefer that you ask in advance. Please note, however, that my general policy is to allow permission to not-for-profit organizations and individuals; profit-oriented firms that might somehow make money through the use of others images should try to support professional photographers by purchasing them for a reasonable fee from the photographers or their agents.