I discovered photographer Wes Peck while searching for art to illustrate post “Where are the Comments?” His primary focus: Objects. But behind each photo is a learning exercise, as he reveals in contextual captions. His Flickr stream is rich with learning-teaching lessons that extend beyond the story each image tells to the one behind.
Today’s selection is no exception and presents back-to-back snow photos (see Day 41 for the other). Forgive the indulgence. This is February, and I grew up in Northern Maine—where the white precipitation is visible six months (or more) a year.
Wes explains about his self-imposed photo-mission and context for the photo:
Active Assignment Weekly: Dec. 29, 2014 – Jan. 5, 2015—Your Community at Night. For this assignment you are tasked with photographing some portion of your village/town/city at night. This will most likely entail some long exposures and thus some means of holding the camera still for a few seconds.
WIT: Lots of driving around looking for something that might look interesting enough to brave the cold. The county museum has a few old buildings on display, plus this beautifully restored vintage gas station. Tripod with camera set to 0.8 second exposure, and this time I remembered to turn off the image stabilization feature. Cropped slightly and exposure adjustments made in Lightroom.
Who would guess, except perhaps someone living there in North Dakota, to look for a fully “restored vintage gas station?” Self-titled “Mobilgas” evokes loneliness and and timelessness—retreat to another era. Wes shot the image on Jan. 2, 2015, using Canon EOS 5D Mark II and EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, which is a helluva great glass. Vitals: f/10, ISO 1000, 50mm.
Assignments like this one are an ongoing process. Wes explains:
Most of the images in my photostream were created as expressions of an idea or concept presented as a learning challenge. These challenges are part of a online photography group that encourages the development of photographic skills and a basic understanding of photographic style. Over time, this approach has taught me to see more detail in the world around me and appreciate how light and shadow define space.
He joined Flickr in November 2006, and he lives in Grand Forks, which feels bleak or inviting depending on his photo.
Photo Credit: Wes Peck