Prep Time...

Right before a shoot I always take a few minutes to get focused. I try to put aside whatever business I was dealing with earlier in the day and think about the world in which I am about to become immersed. Recently, I had the opportunity to do my "preparation" over dinner at this restaurant - and what a great choice!

The restaurant had an indoor bar atmosphere and then an outside "garden patio" area. I positioned myself right between the two so I could enjoy both settings. As you could probably guess from the picture, I liked the outside scenery better. The inside bar was full of people who most likely had just left work and had stopped in for a quick cocktail to help unwind from a long day at the office. Others were probably locals who decided to join their significant other for an early dinner on a beautiful spring afternoon - yes, this happened to be a day when it actually felt like spring! The room was filled with a low hum of activity, while in contrast the outdoor patio was empty and quiet.

The patio was long and narrow, lined by picnic tables, which fit the style of the restaurant. At the far end was the "grill" where I purchased a fantastic sandwich. As I sat and ate my dinner just feet from the doorway I felt like I had the best of both rooms. I was able to watch the setting sun move from one window to the next, then turn to my left and see another couple position themselves at the bar for the beginning of "happy hour". After another bite of my sandwich I sat and looked at the aged brick walls, wondering what used to be housed inside of them - or was it always this neighborhood restaurant?

With all of this back and forth between rooms you're probably wondering when or how I ever prepared for my shoot. Well, in a way the hustle of inside and the calmness of the patio provided just the right mix: I was entertained enough to forget about all of past craziness and focus on my next job!

How do you prepare for something big?

Do you have to find that right balance between crowded and quiet?

How often, throughout the day, do you wish you could escape to someplace like this restaurant?

Sometimes the best prep time comes in the most unlikely place...

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

Traveling Far Away...

I wanted to share this picture for the simple fact that I really like it and feel it is one of those pictures that can take you far away from where you are right now! When I was standing in this garden taking the photo I commented, "I feel like I'm in Holland". Everywhere I turned I saw tulips - yes, those are tulips behind the daffodils. The sight was absolutely beautiful! Now, I have never been to the Netherlands but I have seen pictures and with a little imagination this field of flowers transported me across the Atlantic Ocean! The tulips were not the only thing that stirred my imagination...and the excitement did not end once I headed home.

The smell of the garden was just as important as the flowers themselves: each flower and bush had its own unique scent which filled the air everywhere I walked. Looking at the photo I am reminded of those smells. I am reminded of the feeling I had walking up the path; a feeling of attending church on a bright, spring morning when the building is full of lilies, daffodils, and other seasonal flowers.

I can take another look at the photo and still feel the light breeze that was gently blowing the flowers and trees that afternoon. Suddenly, I am once again standing on the same path. Even though the breeze is warm, I am provided a little relief from the sun beating down on my face. At this point, I am taken away from this particular garden to a field where the same flowers grow wild; a field where little critters can be seen scurrying around, and there is a tree off in the distance that provides even more relief than the breeze.

I love this picture because I can look back and for a few moments I can imagine myself traveling to someplace real or someplace that exists only in my imagination! I can even travel back to the time when I actually took the photo and relive that wonderful, spring afternoon.

Is there someplace this scenery reminds you of?

If you close your eyes, where do you imagine yourself?

Whatever it is or wherever you travel does not have to be the same all of the time. Each time you look at a picture or video different memories and images can be conjured up - which allows for more adventure.

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

Recycled Art

Admittedly, I am not usually one for abstract art...but this display was fantastic! Unfortunately, I did not have as much time to look as I would have wanted because I was walking to a shoot and had to move-on quickly. I have to say right up front that my favorite part is the "person" standing to left of, what I would assume, is its creation.

After looking at this display for a few minutes I only came up with one idea of what it all means...but that's O.K. I think if I had more time, as I mentioned, I could have interpreted a little more. To me, this guy (yes, I'm just going to call it a "guy") seemed like a street vendor displaying his wares. Hidden amongst everything is a clock, valves, pipes, and other useful metal objects.

I got a feeling the artist intended for this piece to be fun and creative, which is why I think it appeals to my senses. I love how pieces of old steel and metal, that originally had other uses, were joined together to form something unique - it's almost recycling to the extreme. How often do you see a person made out of rebar? The clock toward the center of the picture has an actual clock face, but is housed possibly in material from other time devices. And is that a helmet down toward the bottom? I love how the person who created this conglomerate looked at a simple piece of metal but saw a whole different world...

Since this display of craftiness is on the side of a building, along a somewhat busy street, the rustic style is appropriate. If this piece was on display in a museum I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed it as much - it would have seemed unnatural. The fact that I turned the corner and there this "person" stood, proudly displaying his wares, is what makes the artwork fun. Whenever you find something in an unusual place you stop and take a second look. At the same time an object outside of its natural environment makes me step outside of my world; thereby also finding enjoyment in an unlikely situation.

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

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?