People, Places, Things | A Visual Study of Life by Matt Ellis — Matt Ellis | Visual Storyteller

People, Places & Things

People, places, and things — the three elements that frame every story we live and every image we remember.

Through cityscapes, portraits, and details often overlooked, People, Places & Things captures the quiet drama of everyday life.

The work spans multiple continents but remains grounded in human connection. From a fleeting glance on a Caribbean street to a weathered doorway in Europe, I invite you to slow down and consider the relationship between subject and space.

Images crafted with my Leica and various other camera systems.

Black and white photo of the Taj Mahal with a large crowd in the foreground, many people taking photos.

Blurred night view of a city skyline with colorful lights and reflections on the water.

Empty outdoor basketball court with yellow walls, two hoops, and a blue scoreboard, surrounded by a fence and set against mountainous terrain and a clear blue sky.

Black and white photograph of a tall structure with two large circular hoops attached to the top, set against a cloudy sky.

Aerial view of a city seen from an airplane window with a visible engine and wing, showing urban landscape, water bodies, and a runway.

A person balancing on wooden posts in the water during a colorful sunset.

Sunset view of a small town with red-tiled roofs, a large palm tree, and a church with a dome and bell tower against a backdrop of hills.

In-flight entertainment screen showing a welcome message and movie options on an airplane.

Black and white photo of a building with fire escapes on the exterior, with shadows cast on the facade.

Night view of a taco restaurant with a purple neon sign reading 'TACO CINQ', outdoor seating area with a striped umbrella, surrounded by plants and bushes, with city buildings in the background.

Nighttime cityscape with skyscrapers and a crowd of people, blurry due to camera shake or movement.

Interior view of a modern architectural building with curved, ribbed white walls and a central black and white lattice structure running vertically through the space.

Three women sitting at a bar in a Cuban-themed bar, with bottles of alcohol on shelves behind them and hanging wicker lamps above.

Sunlight shines through large green leaves of a plant in a garden or jungle setting, with other plants and blurred foliage in the background.

A railroad track running through a green landscape with trees and pink flowering branches overhead, a train is visible in the distance.

A black sign with white text reading "The Residences at Scafire" placed among green bushes, with trees in the background.

A man running outdoors during the daytime, wearing a black athletic outfit, a red cap, and sunglasses, with a wooden utility pole nearby.

Nighttime scene of a backyard with a chain-link fence, a basketball hoop, power lines, bare tree branches, and a dark sky illuminated by distant lights.

Black and white photo of a stage with two people seated in conversation, audience watching, with screens displaying 'Q+A' behind them. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling.

Close-up of a white car's front end, showcasing the headlight and part of the hood.

A yellow smiley face painted on a metal roller shutter with grid-like security bars across the middle.

Close-up of a drum with a microphone positioned above it, black and white photograph.

Night view of a large brick building with a neon sign reading 'Domino Sugar' and an illuminated chimney.

A person riding a bike at sunset or sunrise, with steam or smoke rising near the bike and crossing a street with a pedestrian crosswalk.

Nighttime city street under construction with a crosswalk, construction barriers, fencing, a 'CROSSWALK' sign with an arrow, and traffic lights showing a pedestrian signal and a yellow light. Smoke or steam is visible in the background.

Nighttime scene of a BP gas station with illuminated signs and cars parked nearby.

Two individuals walking in foggy urban street at night, one wearing a wide-brimmed hat and smoking.

Black and white photo of a Korean barbecue table with grilled meat, various side dishes, sauces, and drinks, with a person using tongs to cook meat.

A person holding a tray with three shot glasses filled with yellowish drinks at a dimly lit restaurant or bar.

A basketball hoop on a stand with a basketball on the ground nearby, set outdoors at dusk or nighttime, with a large leafless tree and bushes in the background, in black and white.

Two people sitting inside a vehicle with a clear partition between them, one of whom is wearing a mask, and a sign on the partition that reads "Let's all do our part."

Colorful fishing boats with names 'Red Rocket 203H' and 'TrueBlessing H 254' docked in a coastal area, with trees and small buildings in the background during sunset.

View of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's white minaret against a clear sky with a crescent moon.

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A residential street with small houses, some made of wood and others concrete, featuring colorful facades in pink, yellow, and green. The street is cracked and slightly curved, with utility poles and power lines overhead. There are two motorcyclists,

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A person standing on a sidewalk near a restaurant entrance, with their hands clasped behind their back. The scene is in black and white, with a sign indicating the restaurant is open and a group of people waiting in line.

In-flight airline meal served on a tray table with a main dish of rice and meat topped with cheese, a side dish of vegetables, and bread in a basket. The background shows a blurred TV screen and a lamp, indicating a cozy setting inside a plane.

A black and white photo of a beach scene viewed through trees with a hammock hanging between the branches, a beach umbrella, and lounge chairs in the background.

Red emergency call box with fire and police buttons, near a crosswalk.

Black and white photo of a metal ladder leading into dark water, with a wooden dock in the foreground.

A densely packed bicycle parking lot with numerous bikes in various colors, styles, and sizes, parked tightly against each other on a wet surface, with buildings and a tram in the background.

Construction site with caution tape in foreground and workers in safety gear in the background.

Close-up view of yellow double lines on a road surface, with a blurred background of a foggy landscape and distant hills.

View of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai at sunset, with Dubai Mall and several other tall buildings around it.

Black and white photo of a race car driver in a helmet, viewed through the windshield from inside the car, on a racetrack.

View of a baseball stadium during a game with spectators in the stands and a large electronic scoreboard displaying a player. Foreground shows fans, one wearing a San Diego Padres jersey with the name Skubal and the number 29, and others watching the

City skyline of Manhattan, New York City, with tall skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building, viewed from across the water at sunset.

Close-up of a yacht's bow on water with city buildings and trees in the background, black and white photograph.

Children and adults walking on a sidewalk in a park-like setting, some wearing sports jerseys and casual clothing.

A wooden bench with a curved slatted design beside a swimming pool with turquoise water, on a stone deck.

The image shows a silhouette of the Burj Khalifa against a pinkish-orange sky at dusk or dawn.

Sunset view through rain-covered glass with reflections and bokeh effect.

Blurred colorful lights creating an abstract pattern with red, yellow, green, blue, and pink hues.

Mayan pyramid with tourists around it in a sunny sky.

A small white commuter airplane parked on the tarmac with luggage and a red cart loaded with bags. A man is standing next to the cart, pulling a suitcase.

Reflection of the bridge tower in the glass windows of a modern multi-story building, with some trees in the foreground.

Interior of a large modern train station with a glass and metal arched ceiling structure at sunset.

City building with reflective glass windows and NYPD police vehicles parked in front at sunset.

Shadow of a person on the sandy beach making a peace sign with the hand, with the ocean and small waves in the background.

View of Yankee Stadium during a baseball game, with a large scoreboard displaying players and advertisements, and fans seated in the stands under a blue sky with some clouds.

A boat docked near high-rise buildings, photograph taken through a window with raindrops or water spots on the glass in black and white.

Clear shallow water with green aquatic plants and ripples.

Beachside view with umbrellas and seating at a restaurant, people swimming and walking near the water, and a large cruise ship in the background on a sunny day.

Calm ocean waves gently reaching sandy beach shore.

View of the interior of a vintage car, focusing on the steering wheel, dashboard, and front interior through the window, in black and white.

A coin-operated viewing telescope facing a river with a city skyline and a bridge in the distance, on a paved walkway near a metal railing.

Black Tesla Model S parked in an empty lot, viewed from the rear, with a California license plate reading 9BAE190.

A utility pole with many tangled wires and electrical components against a cloudy sky in black and white.

Black and white photo of tall modern skyscrapers with many windows, some reflecting cloudy sky, taken from below.

Two men wearing helmets riding a motorcycle on a street with trees and a fence in the background, black and white photo

View of the Manhattan Bridge with the Empire State Building in the background, seen from a street between brick buildings.

People watching a baseball game from the stands at a stadium.

People at a baseball stadium holding white balloons while a ceremony is taking place on the field. The stadium has a large digital scoreboard and surrounding skyscrapers.

A man in a red backpack walks through an airport terminal, looking at his phone. Behind him is a digital sign advertising free Wi-Fi sponsored by Grubhub.

A black and white photo of a train with passengers, some looking out the windows and some sitting and standing in the doorway, on the station tracks.

Two girls in green and white school uniforms leaving a small supermarket, with one girl stepping out and the other standing inside. The store has a blue exterior with the sign 'SUPERMARKET' above the entrance, and a partly open door with a security g

Close-up of wavy, elongated leaves in black and white with high contrast.

Black and white photo of a storm cloud with rain falling from it over a landscape with a distant horizon.

Black metal spiral staircase with wooden steps viewed through an arched white brick wall.

Blurred black and white abstract background with circular bokeh light effects and faint spider web strands.

Colorful hand-painted sign on a white wooden board with the words "Costa Curibe, La-La Spot, Winamba, Sur." The background features a concrete wall with graffiti, a red-tiled roof, a satellite dish, and a blue sky with white clouds.

Silhouette of a woman standing by a railing near the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier, with the ship's bow and flight deck visible against a sunset sky.

Night view of a shopping center parking lot with stores, parked cars, and streetlights, under a dark sky with clouds.

A crowd of sports fans, many wearing Atlanta Braves apparel, gathered at a stadium entrance. A man in the center wearing a white and blue Atlanta Braves jersey with the name 'Murphy' and the number 3 on it is visible from behind. A woman standing nex

Three small citrus fruits hanging on a tree branch surrounded by dark green leaves, with one fruit illuminated by sunlight.

Close-up of a lizard on a light-colored surface, showing its back and head in detail.

A scenic view of a lake surrounded by mountains, with a small town at the base, taken from a covered balcony with string lights and a decorative hanging ornament featuring a lizard inside concentric circles.

Red neon sign reading 'Rum Shop' on a striped wall inside a dimly lit room.

Neon sign of a woman and a man with a vertical line between them, indicating gender separation, against a dark background.

Nighttime outdoor market stall with produce and people, situated on dirt ground with a car parked in front. Sunset sky in the background with trees.

Black and white photograph of the United States Post Office at Hollywood Station, surrounded by tall palm trees and some smaller trees in front.

A Mexican police car with the words 'Policía Servicio Integridad Profesionalismo' on the side, parked in front of a yellow building with a wooden arched door and a bell tower in the background.

A person standing on an airport escalator with black rolling suitcases and a pilot's hat on top of the luggage.

Black and white photo of a bird with wings spread flying against a plain sky.

A black-and-white photograph of a small cherub statue sitting on an ornate spiral shell, with a blurred background of trees and outdoor furniture.

Entrance of Truist Park with a crowd of fans gathered outside, Atlanta Braves sign, and a partly cloudy sky.

A child sitting in a car holding a baseball with one hand and drinking from a cup with a straw with the other hand. The photo is in black and white.

A person in a black jacket and gray hoodie holding a potted green plant in a room with white walls, shelves, and window blinds.

Person peeking through a glass display case with slices of watermelon, papaya, and other fruits inside.

A person with a blue cap, headphones, and sunglasses resting on their head, sitting and drawing in a sketchbook while viewing paintings in an art gallery with red walls and wooden flooring.

Children crossing the street near a school with a blue and white pedestrian crossing sign, and a partially cloudy sky.

Passengers sitting in airplane seats with sunlight coming through the window, some wearing masks and others using electronic devices.

A mountain partially covered by clouds with a body of water and trees in the foreground.

Shadow of a person taking a photo on a tiled floor, making a peace sign with the hand.

A single orange rose flower in bloom with green leaves on a stem against a textured beige background.

View of a city skyline at sunset with tall buildings, including a prominent modern high-rise, seen through the rearview mirror of a car. The car's window and mirror frame the scene.

A man sitting on a red camping chair by the water, charging his phone next to a

Baseball game with players on the field and spectators in the background in a small town.

City street scene with pedestrians walking past a newsstand on a sunny day, with a tall building in the background displaying a neon sign that reads 'NEW YORKER'.

A young man wearing a striped shirt walking across a city street with skyscrapers in the background, black and white photo.

Black and white photo of a baseball game showing players on the field and fans in the stands, some fans with their hands raised.

Close-up of a geometric modern building with a triangular corner, covered in reflective glass panels, against a bright blue sky.

A dark silhouette of a mountain with clouds around the peak, viewed during sunset or dusk through tree branches and leaves in the foreground, with city lights visible in the distance.

Modern glass office building with angular architecture and trees in front, under partly cloudy sky.

Aerial view of New York City at dusk with city lights, rivers, and a colorful sunset

Two men with dark skin walking out of the water on a sandy beach, one shirtless and the other wearing an orange t-shirt, carrying a boat motor. Several colorful boats float on clear blue water with a hilly landscape in the background.

Small white boat named 'Mary' docked at a wooden pier on a lake, with mountains in the background and a cloudy blue sky.

A person walking in an airport or train station with a suitcase, in black and white.

A man with a beard and short gray hair standing at a hot dog stand near the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, black and white photo.

Close-up of a wooden slatted bench on a stone patio surface.

A woman with long braids and glasses standing in front of a wall with graffiti-style artwork spelling 'LOVE' in purple, surrounded by red hearts with words like 'Gifts,' 'Touch,' 'Words of Affirmation,' 'Quality Time,' and 'Acts of Service.'

A small, colorful outdoor book exchange box on a post in a garden or yard, with a sign saying "Take One Leave One Read Many" and another sign below saying "Likkle Book Box" and "Read Return Repeat".

A black and white photograph of a beach with a lifeguard stand partially obscured by a tree with broad leaves, and a sign that reads 'LIFEGUARD OFF DUTY BEACH CLOSED' hanging from the tree.

Children playing basketball on an outdoor court with a mountain in the background, viewed from under a curved roof.

Colorful mural of four diverse women with face paint and glasses on a building wall, with a blue sky and trees in the background.

Rainy view from an airplane window with droplets on the glass, airport tarmac with parked airplanes and cars visible in the background.

An art gallery with dim blue lighting, a lit display with the name 'James Turrell' on the wall, and several visitors viewing the exhibit from a distance.

A tropical beach scene with green trees and bushes, clear turquoise water, a small boat on the water, and people swimming and relaxing on the sandy shore.

View from the front of a colorful boat with an anchor symbol, looking out on calm ocean waters with a small green island in the distance under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

People enjoying a day at the beach under a tree with turquoise water and a clear sky in the background.

A view through a series of open archways into a modern, minimalist interior with a white round table, hanging pendant lights, and wooden doors.

A single peach-colored hibiscus flower blooming on a green leafy branch against a bright blue sky.

A helicopter flying over a landscaped garden with a pond, trees, and a small bridge, with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.

Inside a tuk-tuk decorated with Guatemalan flags, a feathered ornament, and a Guatemalan banner, traveling on a narrow road surrounded by trees.

View of a church with yellow walls and red domes seen through a bell tower with a large metal bell hanging inside.

Reflections of clouds and neighboring buildings in the glass windows of a modern high-rise building with palm trees in the foreground.

A baseball game at Oracle Park stadium during dusk, with players on the field and fans in the stands. The large scoreboard displays 'Giants Baseball' with surrounding advertisements.

A person crossing the street at a crosswalk with a big black car in the foreground. In the background, there is a GAP factory store and other buildings.

A black and white film countdown timer displaying the number 10, with concentric circles and crosshairs, projected on a dark background.

A large Ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas against a cloudy sky in black and white.

A bright red billboard advertising Excelsior crackers with an image of two crackers and the tagline 'Jamaica's favourite!'

Black and white photo of an elevated highway at night with blurred motion of vehicles, a fence in the foreground, and trees and streetlights in the background.

A person walking through an archway, with a large illuminated sign spelling 'DUMBO' in front of a modern building with many windows.

A black sports car with bright headlights driving on a road at night, with light trails and blurred surroundings.

A blue and yellow train moving along a railway track through a green suburban neighborhood with a house, trees, and pink flowering bushes in the background.

Construction site with large arches, cranes, and high-rise buildings, with an airplane flying in the sky.

View of a yellow church with a clock tower and cross on top, framed through a decorative iron window, with palm trees and tiled rooftops in the foreground under a clear blue sky.

A person cooking fried rice on a large metal griddle, using a spatula to shape and stir the rice.

Close-up of two metallic spoons with curved handles, reflected against a smooth white surface.

Fireworks in the night sky above Truist Park stadium with a baseball game on the large video screen. The stadium is filled with spectators, and bright lights illuminate the scene.

A mountain landscape with a lake in the foreground, trees along the shore, and a cloudy sky overhead.

Night view of Las Vegas Strip with illuminated buildings, a large fountain display, the Eiffel Tower replica, and a Ferris wheel.

Out of focus photograph of city street at night with bright blurred lights from vehicles and streetlights.

Black and white photo of a cityscape with two tall buildings, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.

Black and white photo of a white house with a decorative balcony, outdoor lanterns, and a weather vane on the roof with a horse figurine, against a partly cloudy sky.

Night city scene with modern building featuring horizontal neon lights, a car on the road, and a construction fence with signs.

Black and white photo of a waterfront park with people walking and sitting, the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline in the background.

A fallen white wooden fence panel on a grassy lawn next to a tree and a bush with pink flowers, with a white picket fence in the background.

Row of closed beach umbrellas on a sandy beach, with lounge chairs underneath and a cloudy sky in the background.

A group of young people playing basketball indoors, with one player attempting a shot near the hoop while others watch or prepare to play.

Empty stadium stands with brightly colored green, blue, and yellow seats on a muddy field under a temporary roof. Residential buildings and advertisements are visible in the background.

Back of a person wearing a white and blue sports jersey with the number 44 on it, in a crowd at an outdoor event.

View of the Las Vegas Strip with the MGM Grand hotel, a monorail train labeled 'ARIA Express,' modern buildings, and a blue sky with some clouds.

An American flag flying on a flagpole against a clear blue sky.

People buying tickets at a movie theater box office with an Art Deco design, illuminated sign, and movie posters visible.

A person walking on a wet airport tarmac with airplanes parked at the gates in the background, viewed through a rain-spattered window during sunset or sunrise.

At an airport, ground crew member handling a large hose or cable near baggage carts, with airplanes and airport terminals in the background.

Three children with backpacks watching a baseball game through a chain-link fence on a sunny day.

Close-up of the front part of two train cars with window and identification numbers 3238 and 3239, against a partly cloudy sky.

Sky with pink and purple hues during sunset or sunrise over a concrete rooftop parking lot with a low wall.

A woman stands on an electric bicycle using her phone in a city street during sunset, with parked cars and buildings in the background.

A seagull standing on a table with its wings spread, overlooking a balcony with ocean view. There are chairs, a tablecloth, and some food in the foreground.

Looking up at palm trees with green fronds against a bright blue sky with a few clouds.

Nighttime cityscape view from a rooftop terrace with string lights, buildings, and lit landmarks in the distance.

A person in a hooded jacket holding a guitar case walking out of a car wash tunnel with colorful pipes and lights. An employee wearing a cap and gloves is standing nearby.

Black and white photograph of a pin-shaped bicycle sculpture with a figure riding it, mounted on a flat base.

Baseball players on the field and in the dugout during a game at a stadium with spectators in the stands.

A black and white view looking down a spiral staircase with ornate railing, showing a woman with curly hair standing on a landing, looking at her phone.

A baseball player wearing a blue jersey with white and red accents, white pants, red socks, and a red, white, and blue cap, throwing a baseball from the pitcher's mound on a baseball field. The game is in progress with other players visible in the ba

Coastal scene with a rocky shoreline, calm water, a man fishing on rocks, beach with people, hillside with houses and a yellow building, and a partly cloudy sky.

Black and white photo of an empty concert hall with a piano and a chair on stage, surrounded by empty seats and modern architecture.

A small brown dog with floppy ears and a playful expression is looking out of a car window.

A red convertible car parked on the street in front of a large building with a mural spelling out 'LIBRARY' on the side.

A person holding a flag with the word 'STOP' on it, silhouette against a sky with clouds. There are buildings and a fence in the background.

Construction cones and a ladder outside a storefront window with colorful skateboards and skateboarding posters

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