I have this small group of photographs taken of local South Carolina government buildings. Basically a few images that caught my eye, none taken with any thought of what to do next.

Now I know, throw a few in the same article since they are worlds apart.

The first here is a grand old building, designed by a world famous architect. The odd thing, it is a small county court house, his other buildings are in the US capital and other large cities.

Above is city hall, Manning, South Carolina. It’s perfect. A re-purposed building on the towns Main Street.  No pretense, it fits nicely.

Last is another county court house. I don’t know much about this building, bit it is imposing. Maybe that’s the idea. Going to court…maybe jail.

This is what I saw.

In years past whenever I traveled to the south I always noticed the Railroad tracks running through town. It was something I associated small rural towns with.

Actually the last place I lived up north had an old track over the Main Street. It was rarely used.

I can’t say there are more in small towns down south for sure, but I do know everywhere I go has one.

Personally I think the old signs and tracks do make a nice B&W image.

Main Street has been an on going theme here for a long time. It started in a few small New England towns and I have carried it through to the south.

Almost always the photographs have been a monochrome format. I find it adds character and drama to the images. Some make the subject look better, some worse, but always more interesting.

Every town has a bail bonds store front on a side street. Not sure what that says about us.

A true southern fixture is the train running right across Main Street. Here I caught one passing through town on a Sunday morning.

Main Street is interesting, but the side streets have all the character.

I have learned the best time for these shoots is a Sunday morning. No people makes it much easier to get the wide angles and perspectives I want.

Photographed in Williamsburg County, South Carolina.