Grills of Glory

A Twist on Summertime Grilling

Ah, Summertime is finally here! One of my favorite activities is grilling. Big hunks of red meat. Corn on the cob buttered and wrapped in foil. Enormous red bell peppers directly of the grates. Thick-sliced onions. All accompanied with iced tea, potato salad, and fruit pies for dessert.

Another Summertime tradition for me is going to car shows and admiring the gleaming grills that are the face of classic cars and hot rods. I love all the sparkling chrome lovingly polished to a mirror-like luster by their owners. Some of the grills are iconic, like the '57 Chevy Bel Air or Thunderbird, which are instantly recognizable to most car enthusiasts.

The curves and angles of the lustrous finish remind me of distorted Fun House mirrors that twist and turn my reflection into hilarious shapes. Those shapes can also become intriguing graphic elements on their own when the photographer gets up close and personal. Chrome reflecting the sky color of the day or the paint of adjacent cars adds surprising depth to the polished metalworks.

Here are a few smiling grills for your enjoyment!