Last spring, I took my absolute first stab at photography with Humans of Hampden, a piece I based on Humans of New York, a significantly more popular, well-known, and more talented artistic collection.
I borrowed Sierra’s old camera and literally just hit buttons and turned wheels until the camera worked to take photos. Somehow, I got a few I found worthy of a blog and with the powerful captions people gave me, I had something I was proud of.
Last weekend, I, on the total fly, joined a photography class, thanks to Shar and to a great guy I can’t help calling “Mr. Kyle.” Mr. Kyle (only in his mid-30s) does projects at Lillie May and a slew of amazing things in Baltimore. He’s just one of those people. And Shar and I (and lots of Baltimoreans) are both so grateful to know him.
In Mr. Kyle’s Perspective: Baltimore Adult Photography Class, I took the following, around Mt. Vernon, The Bromo District, Westside-ish, Lexington Market, and other micro-neighborhoods in Baltimore.

Sun-bathing elephant.

Skill. (Love taps, not pictured.)

Lutheran air quotes.

Birth-year.

Moon.

Two feet on the ground. Twice.

Moon, too.

From where I’m sittin’.

Floral snack.

Stacey is a whole snack.

Teacher.

Dad.

“Little Buddy.” A tea cup, long chair Chihuahua (yes, I had to look up how to spell Chihuahua).

The forgotten in focus.

Loitering reflection.

Study.

Soaring liquor bag litter.

Through the spikes.

My Sister’s Garden.

Gutter Poet.

Beauty.

Hope.

Swirl.

Steadfast.

Y.

Convex Amanda and Kyle.

Ambition doesn’t stop. Oh wait…

Raised. Zoom.

THE American Darling.

A T A

Lose ya head.

Blurry belief.

Flyin’ Brian.

Unwhole.

Civilian Headform. Egg.

Modern real-life Dali.

Division.

Repairs needed.

Eyes.

Facade.

Unwanted progress.

Friendship reflected.

Mislabeled.

Hair and hood.

Someone cared for this once.

Don’t lose ya head, two.

Hey Baltimore!

(caption included)

Baltimore is HOME.

Can you?

Lore and yore.

Yard recliner.

Invest in the fence. Forget the yard.

Modern ruins.

Alternative bumper.

Nuts. Since 1896.

Pantsed.

Torso.

Photogs.

Who named this street?

Profile.

Push or pull?

Museum piece.

Love.

“[…]the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!” -Jack Kerouac

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.” – William Shakespeare

Stay in your

Hats.

Glory-free touchdown.

Unholy cross.

Vodka plant.

Vrksasana (tree pose).

Intersections.

“You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” – Max Ehrmann

YOU ARE okay.

Pre-splash.
Great change of pace; pithy. LOL, D
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Loved the captions-just what I needed on this Friday morning! ( wasn’t it a hippo sunbathing?
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Your photos are so good! You win at photo camp! lol
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More please!
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Loved your pics Amanda! You are very talented!! Aunt Mo ❤️
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oh! this was so good for my (baltimore) soul!
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