I've recently become interested in America. Not America as a concept, not as a repository for various ideals or a patchwork of disparate groups, but America as a physical place.

Now, there are lots of photos of America on Flickr. But most of them aren't really what I want to see. Many people with an interest in the U.S. -- particularly on this arty site -- are drawn to kitsch, decay, desolation. Others are drawn to natural beauty. I can't blame them -- all these things can make for interesting photographic subjects. Not me, though. My America is grand, beautiful, man-made. It's urban with a little small town at the periphery. It's the most desirable parts of the best cities.

Because I haven't been able to find a Flickr group that reflects my ideals, I've started collecting individual photos that do in my favorites. Please, do check them out. I've tried to reflect the variety that is America while still adhering to my own personal aesthetic standards. A lot of the photos are of places I love. Others are of places I've never been but feel like I could love. Still others are places I don't even like that much -- but even they have their moments. I've tried to be geographically diverse. You'll see plenty of photos of New York, my hometown and favorite city, but it's not overemphasized -- this country has loads of underrated destinations that hardly anyone ever thinks about and barely register on the national radar, much less the international one.

I've learned a lot about my tastes while doing this. I love landmark architecture and great public spaces. I believe the presence of water makes everything better. I'm interested in how smaller parts fit into a larger whole -- how a cityscape comes together.

Maybe one day I'll invite all these photographers to a group. I have a feeling there are others out there who think a little like me.