Gothic

St.Patrick's Cathedral, New York City

"I love the description of Gothic churches before the printed word, that they were the bibles of the poor." John McGahern

Before I set foot for the first time in New York City I believed everyone who said that the USA doesn't have beautiful churches. Today, I pity everyone who says so as they are clearly wrong.

New York City has two of grandest cathedrals, St.Patrick's and St.John the Divine Cathedral. While I have never seen the St.John Cathedral, I have been to the St.Patrick's Cathedral several times and everytime I go in there it always feels like it's my first time.

My best experience was last year during Christmas time. We went in there in the evening and there was choir practice. The sound coming from the organ was so beautiful and haunting that I couldn't move. It was a total Gothic experience. Yeah I know this is Neo-Gothic but it's so well made that it's hard to believe that it wasn't build by the real Gothic masters.

iPhone photography is kind of difficult here as it's somewhat dark but with a little patience and using the praying benches as tripods I managed to get some good photographs during the last few years.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Carry Me Home

5th Avenue, New York City

"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it." Michelangelo

I have no doubt that every New Yorker has seen this statue and I have no doubt that no matter how many times we walk by it, we always give it a look, whether it is a long stare or just a glimpse. Every time you walk by it, you will use a lot of tourists capturing memorable pictures of this famous statue with the name 'Atlas'.

In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan who supported the heavens Usually one could see him carrying a planet but in this particular statue he is carrying circles that represent the planet. It's location is a beautiful one. It is situated right opposite the world famous St.Patrick's Cathedral.

I always felt that there is something mystical with this Atlas statue in New York City. Every time I look at it I sense of a feel of relief. I don't know exactly why it happens but maybe it's because it reminds me that sometimes I am not the only one that is carrying more weight on my shoulders than I need to.

This photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV