Striking Curves...

Recently, I had the opportunity to videotape at a classic car show and was mesmerized by what was on display. There was cars spanning, literally, seven decades - including this eye-catching Plymouth. Aside from its striking, black finish this car caught my attention because of the endless supply of curves that formed its vintage frame. I couldn't find one straight line anywhere on the body! The front grill was my favorite aspect out of the entire car.

There was a number of characteristics that attracted me to this section of the car. For starters the symmetry - I loved the alternating black and chrome lines that formed the grill itself; they seemed to curve around without ever ending...

I also loved how the car frame itself seemed to slowly descend to the ground, forming little domes that were each lower than the one before. These domes looked more like bubbles that somehow came together to form this unique and stunning car.

Simplicity - another aspect of the classic Plymouth that I loved and an element that inspired this picture. To me the front grill was so simple and appeared to be designed with something in mind that is loved by everyone: repetition. There is a comfort and attraction to repetition and this front grill is one repeating curve after another! There aren't a lot of crazy or bold angles; no large ornamentation to distract an observer; just the simple combination of the black and chrome over and over again. I love it!

What amazed me even more is that I would not consider myself an auto expert; I don't study cars or frequently attend car shows, yet I was still captivated by this sleek sedan. I couldn't tell you what was under the hood or at what speed this car topped out; all I can tell you is that when I saw this black beacon, which seemed to be reflecting everything in the room, I had to capture a picture.

What catches your attention about this car?

What does it make you think about?

All I could say was "striking curves".

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

A Long Way From the Expected

I thought this was such a cool looking church - almost European in style! One day I decided to take the scenic route to my shoot and passed this in a little town along the Delaware River. There is no chance at all to miss this unique building because it sits literally five feet from the road. In fact, I had to stand in the middle of one lane just to be able to take this picture.

I stood for a few minutes admiring the detail because it truly is like no other church I have ever seen before. The painted woodwork visible on the towers is a theme seen all over the building: around the windows, doors, and on every peak. I felt like I was staring at a picture which suddenly came to life - a picture of a church in some small European village. I could just see this building nestled up against sharp mountains with a sprawling green meadow and bed of flowers reaching out from its front door...the kind of church local residents walk to for weekly service, and then congregate in front of before heading their own way for another seven days - can't you just picture everyone standing around on a beautiful sunny day?...I almost forgot I was actually in eastern Pennsylvania and not Europe.

What do you think:

- of what region, state, country does this architecture remind you?

- what inspired this type of building in eastern PA?

- what part of the building is your favorite; what would you love to see a "close-up" of?

As I stood a little longer, I started to think how the building looked like a big cottage, a home where every guest is welcome! Unfortunately, time did not allow me to explore the inside of the church (assuming the door would have been open in the first place!) but I did a pretty good job of picturing the interior. Maybe someday I can venture back and see where my imagination takes me the second time.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Amidst the Choas

One recent day in New York City - and despite the ice forming on the water it truly was just a few weeks ago - I snagged this picture walking through Central Park. Every so often I succumb to the "inner tourist" and take a bunch of pictures while walking through New York. With so many amazing sites all around you - from architecture to history to culture - it is impossible to not take a handful of pictures.

This picture I wanted to share because no matter how much time I spend in the park, I always love the fact that you get "lost" amidst the trees and "nature" (and yes, I use those terms very loosely) while being surrounded by buildings that seem to continually reach higher toward the sky. I think it creates the perfect contrast! Visitors to the park have the opportunity to experience the resiliency of nature, since beautiful trees and flowers grow strong just a few hundred feet away from cars rushing up and down 5th Avenue or Central Park West.

As I stood on a bridge taking this picture I marveled at the calmness I felt - despite my dynamic surroundings outside the park. I felt as though I stepped into this solitary world (aside from my friend standing next to me) and was able to see what the city is like without all of the commotion. It's as if, for a moment, all the cars and pedestrians had stopped and I was afforded an honest look at the beauty New York City has to offer - beauty in the way so many different worlds collide to form one unique city.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Traveling to....

How often do you see a road like this?

On a recent trip to an old, historic, east coast city I suddenly found myself crossing this unique road. I don't even know what to call it...it's not really cobblestone, is it? It's more like big rocks thrown together. I'm not quite sure how old this particular road is, but the building that it surrounds is hundreds of years old! Once I started pondering the road's age, a flood of other questions came to mind.

Since I was in an historic city, I wondered who else may have crossed this road - certainly some heroes of the American Revolution: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson.

What did the area look like when the road was first built? On land that is now occupied by tall skyscrapers were probably colonial homes and churches, where the local citizens met to discuss all of the changes occurring around them.

How has transportation changed since this road was built? Carriages could have very well traveled this road when it was first constructed, followed by cars, and now simply pedestrians. Imagine how the conversations have changed over time: originally passersby may have been discussing the war while walking to a local tavern, and now people may be discussing stocks and investments over their lunch break; or tourists may be questioning the best place in the neighbor to grab some lunch.

I love how this little road, for a moment, enabled my mind to wander through history and imagine all that has happened since it was first built. Old architecture and historic sites have witnessed so many events and they willingly share that history with everyone who walks by - as long as the people take time to notice.

Maybe this road was not built in the 18th century...perhaps it was constructed when the local buildings were renovated, possibly sometime in the 20th century. If that is the case, it most likely does not carry the stories that I figured it would. Either way I don't mind - this little stone road provided me the opportunity, for a few moments, to journey through history and imagine a time when horses and buggies traveled the country.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?