THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: street photography


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Nice sign NY

New York City sharing itself with the masses. The sign says “Don’t worry. Even if you leave New York, you’ll always be a New Yorker.” I like that. I’ve always followed the Yankees but only been to one game there in my life.

I did find that city quite addicting. I think I’ll start doing a regular pilgrimage there to take in the sights and people. And pictures of course.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I enjoy finding some colors in concrete like below.

Right spot, right time. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’ve got two days of yard work to cram into one, so I’d better get outside. Plus, I’d like to put a few miles on the Miata before the rains this weekend. So off I go. Have a great day all, I’ll be back later.


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Leader of the pack

The smallest dog leading the pack. Confidence in small packages.

Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Morning

  • Thank goodness for manual transmissions.
  • Lots of responsibilities today. I will shoehorn in some fun.
  • I wish I could schedule the weather.
  • McDonalds doesn’t have anyone at the counter to take my order. I Von’t be back. I didn’t need that crap anyway. I’ll leave it all for the orange one.
  • Certain roads have a higher percentage of bad drivers. I’m avoiding those roads now as much as possible.


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Someone is always watching

The number of cameras in this world watching us is staggering. I guess I’m one of them. I don’t do many videos. Almost none, just still photography. I enjoy people’s reaction when they see a camera now. Almost like they are offended if I raise it to my eye. Not knowing, 100 cell phones just snapped their picture, and they have been under video surveillance all day.

The city is always full of prying eyes. Photo by Mike Hartley

I have been enjoying shooting more people lately. I think I’ll head out tomorrow and do some fresh shooting.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m not in big cities often so NYC was unique to me but by the looks of people there it’s routine.

The Ted Kaczynski’s style is making a comeback. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’ll be back to shooting small towns in Maryland soon unless we visit DC or Baltimore. Which sound like good ideas also.


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Street

You can’t help but work on your street photography in New York City. It was a lot of fun shooting there in between our tourist activities.

I think I’ll head into Washington DC to shoot some more street shots. Then again, I love the small towns in Maryland.

Photo by Mike Hartley


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Restless

Both the mind and body are restless this Monday morning. I feel like I should be doing a lot more. At the same time, I’m tired. I’m struggling to find the right words. I’m not picking up the camera as often as I’d like. I do that when I’m blocked creatively. I’ve got to change this week and get back into the grove.

It’s not like I didn’t have a great weekend. I certainly did and I did accomplish a good bit around the home and yard. And most importantly, time with family and friends.

So, the morning rain has passed, or at least that is my understanding. Still kind of cloudy so lights are still on at this home and other spots.

Storefront on Main Street. Photo by Mike Hartley

I have to flip my switch and get busy. And no time like the present.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • My youngest grandchild is still taking naps. When she stops, I’ll step in and pick up the slack.
  • To the white Mercedies SUV that passed on a double line in a 30-mph zone doing at least 60 on Old Annapolis Rd approaching a school zone the other day, may Karma visit you soon.
  • That was some great basketball this weekend. I love the college game. And being in 1st place after the first weekend of action is a nice feeling. Sometimes a fleeting one. Time will tell.
  • I get to make kids smile today. That’s a nice feeling.


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Enjoyment

Should you spend your life in search of enjoyment? Why not, it’s your life, enjoy it. I’ve always tried to enjoy my professional work and with those around me. Yes, it’s work, and yes it’s tough and demanding at times. That doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed.

Enjoyment comes in so many ways. Some will work their butts off to help or support others to enjoy life and get a lot of joy out of those efforts. Others spend their life focused on self-enjoyment and are very happy.

Enjoyment can look very different for people. Some may find great enjoyment in just lying in a hammock for a few hours, while some might consider that a complete waste of time and want to play sports for enjoyment.

Blowing into town. Photo by Mike Hartley

The types of enjoyment are so numerous I won’t delve into all of them. I will say I learned late in life that I should enjoy it more. I got too caught up in the small stuff.

So now I’m more relaxed. Still have as many struggles going on, if not more, as when I was younger. Dealing with them but not letting them dominate life or take away its enjoyment.

Earlier today I did a post about doing more street photography but being nervous about shooting people. As you can see, I’m easing into it with the above shot.


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Possible

I have to work on my street photography. Trouble is that I like the country. And yes, there are streets and people in these small towns but nothing like the type of city shots you can get like when I visited NYC once.

Also, I’m not real comfortable photographing people. Something I must overcome and soon because I like street shots. It’s photography I really enjoy seeing others work. I think I’ll take a stab at it more this month.

If the sun peeks out this afternoon, I’ll see if I can capture anything left of the fall colors that didn’t get blown away the last few days.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Seeing young kids ride bikes reminds me of that joy.
  • Watching rain at the beach just doesn’t seem right.
  • I’m feeling good about this week. I don’t have any doctor’s appointments.
  • Decided to employee some help. The team of me, myself and I. They all need a swift motivational kick in the ass today. Look for more results today.
  • Have a good morning.


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Easton

We spent late afternoon and early evening in Easton Maryland last week. As we wandered down the streets which was mostly rolled up for a Thursday night except for the restaurants and a few stores, I thought I’d practice some Street Photography for an hour before dinner.

Easton is a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in the heart of Talbot County.

In 2023 there were 17,225 people living there. Two of them are my friends from many decades ago.

I like it because it has a lot of things art related.

It’s an easy town to walk also.

I have yet to sample all the great eating establishments there. The few I have tried have been great.

Lots of shops for my better half to look at while I photograph.

Lots of county office buildings from the past and some quite new.

I’m not much for city life but I could see this town growing on me.

I find it to be a very friendly place.

Also a very patriotic town.

Bricks or a gate everywhere you look.

Frederick Douglass / Liberty below.

I have to stop walking and shooting at the same time.

We will make a return trip this summer or fall and maybe stay at the Tidewater Inn below.

Well, too many photos. Hey, there is no such thing as too many pictures. So one last one.

Maybe another post after the games tonight. If not, have a great evening.

Photos by Mike Hartley


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Easy Street

The first shot of the day as we walked out of the parking garage in downtown Annapolis, I caught a couple on Easy Street. What a way to start life. I wish them good health, good fortune and lots of love.

And to be technically correct I believe they are standing on Francis Street off Main. But I still like the Easy Street on the awning.

I just pulled the lens cap off as fast as I could and shot this first one because I could sense they were finishing up the shoot. Photo by Mike Hartley

Fortunately they had a professional working. I did capture a few other shots of the streets of Annapolis, which I’ll post later tonight because I have a few other tasks to catch up on first.

Keep holding hands. Photo by Mike Hartley


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February New Market

We decided to take a ride to New Market Maryland and have an excellent lunch at The Derby. Then a walk of the town and friendly exchanges with one or two residents. I’ve got to get back here this spring and do some more shooting because this is a colorful little old town. From 1793 I read. Most of the buildings are historic as you will see.

I missed the ambulance pulling out by a minute.

I always find it good to get off the main streets and into alleys for hidden gems.

There seems to be a community effort to keep the color and contrast between homes and business in some beautiful shades. I believe I read the population is about 1,600.

I like the saying on that plaque in the middle photo. It reads “Don’t follow where the path may lead…. go where there is no path and leave a trail.”

It didn’t appear the General Store was a general store any longer.

Here’s looking at you kid…… rock

People have put some real special work into some of these homes.

Theme home.

The Village Potter has inspired me to make my own sign.

All Photos by Mike Hartley

Felt good to get out and shoot a bit today. Lets see if I can get in gear again tomorrow. Have a good evening all.


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Wandering

I was wandering through some old shots I hadn’t used for street photography, and found this one I liked. At the same time. a song from The Who came on called “I Can’t Explain” and that would be my caption for this shot.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I’ve been slacking on new shooting, so today I’ll work to correct that. Ran into a few obstacles to work through. but I think I’m on the other side of part of it.

Random Thoughts of the Morning

  • Early morning between 1am and 4am is very peaceful.
  • College basketball is the most exciting game.
  • Only those with an ego so large could make a fool of themselves and be proud enough to repeat it day after day.
  • I feel like eating breakfast but some sleep might be good first.


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Capture Time

There are many reasons I love photography. But that aspect of capturing a point in time really is special.

Photography Journey Day 36 – 12/6/24

The sun was out, but I also heard that wind and stepping outside I felt very COLD. So to hell with that nonsense. Sorry, I know I should be out shooting but I have a severe dislike of this weather.

So, another series of shots is planned for another old camera later tonight. A Brownie Hawkeye Flash Model made between 1949 – 1961. Maybe I’ll shoot that other old Kodak and several Polaroids.

As I was doing some editing tonight, I ran across this street scene from Ellicott City. The location is in the photo. It’s not every day you can pull a rabbit (left) out of a photo.

Oh I’m longing for summer already and it’s still early December. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

The Canon printer has been humming along the last few days. And I hope to finish that pack of 8×10 off this evening.

More Random Thoughts of the Day

  • My mind says I could still run through a wall. Good thing the mind isn’t in total control anymore.
  • The best photo I’ve taken is the one I have yet to take. It could be tonight or tomorrow if I only pick up the camera.
  • Make someone happy and repeat.
  • One-man bands are better if they can play a lot of different instruments.
  • Speaking of bands, Aerosmith just doesn’t sound right unless the volume knob is at 10. Someone somewhere is asking “what is a volume knob”

Well as RUSH would say, it’s time to Roll The Bones.


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Great day

What a wonderful day we had. A leisurely start, a trip to Emmitsburg Maryland, and Gettysburg Pennsylvania on a beautiful Tuesday.

We spent a few hours wandering the town and then did the auto tour through the battlefield. I’ve got to think through a better approach to this. I feel I did a better job when we visited Antietam. I might have to see if I can shoot one of those reenactments one year.

I do like the shot of the Union Cigar Club below and the men smoking under the awning. I’ve been trying to get a little better at street photography.

I used to like an occasional cigar but haven’t had one in decades. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m still a bit hesitant about shooting people. But I’m going to overcome that. Or at least I think I will. I’m fairly good with friends and family.

Goodfellas tonight. I like it but I’ll pass, will probably be outside enjoying a warm summer evening. Photo by Mike Hartley

Low 80s with a firm breeze all day and passing clouds for occasional shade. Perfect for a day outside.

Bang. Photo by Mike Hartley

It was a great day but there was one interesting moment. At one of the stops, some people were talking about politics and having some serious issues with liberals and how Trump is right in a rather aggressive fashion.

I just thought it was a shame that in this place, history might be brewing to repeat itself and the irony is completely lost on them. Or maybe it wasn’t and this a thought that is being entertained?

Well onto another sunny but more humid and hotter day. There is much editing to be done before I can shoot again. At least that is the current plan.


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Winded

Spend a few minutes outside with that substantial breeze today and you will feel winded here in the mid-Atlantic. I had thought about some outdoor tasks but thankfully decided to stay in and do some editing. I was going back looking for some street photography and found this item I hadn’t done anything with before.

The glassworks in the window make the town street come alive. Photo by Mike Hartley

It’s a store in Annapollis Maryland showing a street reflection. I loved the store but I believe it was gone on my last visit there. Wish I could remember the name of it. I got my daughter a gift from there when shopping together so I’ll have to ask her. I’m sure her memory is better than the old mans.

I think I’ll place a greater emphasis on doing more street shooting. I might as well, I’m on a mission to visit a great number of towns in this state I haven’t been to or love visiting and shooting before.

I’m having a lazy day. I didn’t sleep all that well. The AC repairman (preventive maintenance check) came and did his thing. Got to editing a few hundred flood pictures of the 2016 Ellicott City one. Made about 70 prints. Scheduled a doctors appointment and cooked some sausages for breakfast. Worked on a car and cleaned my workroom a bit. So I haven’t been a couch potato but I just can’t feel like I’m in gear.

Maybe I should get on the treadmill and see if I can find a gear to get me moving.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I was always so acutely aware of what day of the week it was when I was working. It took 3 months and 11 days for me to lose track of them after retiring.
  • Going to try a new butcher shop this week.
  • Time to shake up this office.
  • I wonder how many times a day my thoughts wander to my children.